Union wants investment commitment in Canada, doesn't want to cut wages
Mar 05, 2009 - 02:10 PM
By Melissa Mancini
TORONTO -- The Canadian Auto Workers and General Motors are back at the bargaining table.
It hasn't even been a year since previous contract talks, but the two parties sit down Thursday to kick start discussions about a new deal as part of the company's restructuring plan.
"We believe we can maintain our existing wage and benefits package," CAW national president Ken Lewenza said.
The union is looking for a commitment GM will maintain a presence in Canada. The union has to find some savings but Mr. Lewenza wouldn't speculate where it would be willing to cut costs.
He noted that the CAW's counterparts, the United Auto Workers, cut five paid vacation days in its contract but would not comment on whether special paid absence days (or SPA days -- time off workers get besides sick leave and holidays) in Canada would be on the chopping block.
The priority for the CAW will be making sure GM maintains product investment in Canada, Mr. Lewenza said.
Local 222 president Chris Buckley echoed Mr. Lewenza's comments.
"We are going to put our best foot forward," Mr. Buckley said. "We owe it to our retired and active members to do what we can to keep GM here in Canada."
Mr. Lewenza said he wanted to emphasize that problems GM and other auto companies are having are not because of union wages and benefits.
"I don't buy the argument that this is a union problem," Mr. Lewenza said. "This is not a union problem."
Mr. Lewenza said the worst thing GM could do in negotiations is be "overzealous" and take these talks as an opportunity to drive back the wages, benefits and working conditions the union has negotiated over the years.
But the union is expecting concessions, he said.
"No question about it, there will be sacrifices made by our members."
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