CAW

June 9, 2008 (Oshawa, ON) - General Motors of Canada today confirmed that, following ongoing discussions with the CAW over the past several days, it will take action today to seek collaborative or such necessary legal means required to end the ongoing blockade of its Canadian Headquarters allowing the company to reasonably continue conducting its business in Canada. GM Canada lost some vehicle production this past Saturday as a result of other CAW actions in Oshawa.

TORONTO, May 21, 2008 -- The Canadian Auto Workers union and Chrysler Canada are hosting the official launch of a new action centre which will provide enhanced services and programs for the more than 1,000 workers laid off with the third shift closure at the Brampton Assembly Plant.

Workers and others will gather at the centre for the ceremony and open house today, May 21.

Contract Comes Four Months before Deadline

OAKVILLE, Ontario, May 4, 2008 – For the first time in its history, Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited has reached a collective bargaining agreement with the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) more than four months before the current contract expires. Ford employees represented by the CAW ratified the new deal in a vote held today.

Highlights:
* Three-year collective bargaining agreement covering more than 9,000 employees reached after unprecedented bargaining process.
* Employees ratify the unique-to-Canada deal four months before the current contract expires on September 16, 2008.
* Base wages remain stable during the life of the contract and a 'new hire' wage rate is established for first three years of employment.

TORONTO, Jan. 18 /CNW/ - CAW President Buzz Hargrove applauded an announcement by federal Liberal opposition leader Stéphane Dion to create a $1 billion fund to support manufacturing and promote green production if his party is elected to government.

He commended Dion for recognizing the important role the manufacturing sector plays in the health of the Canadian economy and for having the vision to invest in companies using new technologies to make Canada a leader in green manufacturing.

"This fund would provide a much needed boost to struggling manufacturers and the workers they employ, particularly the auto industry which is grappling with unfair trade, a slowing US economy, a high dollar and environmental challenges," said Hargrove.

TORONTO, Dec. 10 /CNW/ - The Canadian Auto Workers is continuing its fight to save the Ford car assembly plant in St. Thomas, Ontario, and has received no indication whatsoever that Ford has decided to close the plant, despite a story in the Detroit News this weekend.

The plant is currently operating on one shift of production, as a result of Ford's shrinking market share in North American vehicle sales.

WINDSOR, ON, Nov. 20 /CNW/ - The devastating news today that auto parts maker Lear Corporation is closing its Windsor plant with the loss of more than 160 jobs is another tough blow for workers and a community already reeling from high unemployment, CAW President Buzz Hargrove says.

Hargrove blasted the federal Conservative government for standing idly by while unfair trade deals and the high Canadian dollar wreak havoc on the Canadian auto sector and Canadian manufacturing overall.

ST. THOMAS, ON, Nov. 19 /CNW/ - CAW shop floor leadership from independent automotive parts plants across Ontario voted overwhelmingly today in support of the Framework of Fairness Agreement between the union and parts maker Magna.

After a detailed presentation this morning at CAW Local 1520 hall followed by a lively debate with speaker after speaker coming to the microphones, more than 300 of approximately 325 elected in-plant shop floor leadership at the meeting voted in support of welcoming all Magna workers into CAW under the FFA.

TORONTO, Nov. 8 /CNW/ -- Two hundred and fifty Magna workers at Windsor Modules voted overwhelmingly in favour of their first collective agreement negotiated by the CAW, voting in favour of joining the union under the Framework of Fairness on November 7, 2007. According to CAW President Buzz Hargrove, this group will be the first of many to join the union.

Below are some of the highlights of the new agreement, released today.

Wage Increases

- Immediate $3 an hour raise for all production members plus a wage increase of 50 cents at six months of service and an additional 50 cents at 1 year of service.
- Skilled Trades will receive a wage increase of 50 cents at six months of service and an additional 50 cents at 1 year of service

Wage Adjustments

WINDSOR, ON, Nov. 7 /CNW/ - The more than 250 workers at Windsor Modules, a division of Magna, have voted overwhelmingly in favour of a first collective agreement negotiated by the Canadian Auto Workers union and to join the union under the Framework of Fairness agreement (FFA).

CAW President Buzz Hargrove congratulated the workers on their first union agreement. "I'd like to welcome this group of workers to the CAW, the first of many Magna workers whom I believe will vote to join our union."

TORONTO, Nov. 6 /CNW/ - Leaders from the major automotive CAW local unions across Ontario will meet today to discuss the Magna agreement, as part of the CAW Auto Council.

The deal has been met with support from most of the CAW local unions, with a few high profile dissenting parties. All will be in attendance at today's meeting as national and local union leaders discuss the future of the agreement.

Two weeks ago, the CAW National Executive Board held an emergency meeting where the board supported the Magna agreement, voting 16-1 in favour. Today's meeting is a precursor to the CAW Council to be held in early December where CAW President Buzz Hargrove has advocated a full debate take place.

Source: CAW