CAW could soon issue strike notice at GM

kmmink · 09-20-2012, 04:29 PM

The Canadian Press
Published Thursday, Sep. 20, 2012 12:13PM EDT
Last Updated Thursday, Sep. 20, 2012 2:43PM EDT
The Canadian Auto Workers could issue a strike notice at General Motors later Thursday if talks don't progress, but the union said it's making some headway with Chrysler.
Ken Lewenza and other top union officials were in a meeting with General Motors on Thursday afternoon in the third day of intense negotiations since the union put off an 11:59 p.m. Monday strike deadline to keep talks going with the two automakers.
Until Thursday, the union had suggested it was making more headway with General Motors than with Chrysler in getting the companies to agree to similar conditions arrived at in a deal with Ford Canada Monday.
"People are getting frustrated and we were hopeful that we'd be able to reach an agreement with GM before now, but that hasn't happened," said spokeswoman Shannon Devine.
Devine said the union could issue a strike notice some time Thursday.
"So far no notice has been issued," she said.
But the CAW said it is making some progress in its contract negotiations with Chrysler, saying the company seems to be more willing than it was to reach an agreement.
After reaching a tentative agreement with Ford earlier this week, the CAW has turned to getting similar deals at both Chrysler and General Motors.
"We don't yet have an agreement with Chrysler but discussions have been constructive and we are making progress," the CAW said in a news release.
"Chrysler executives seem to be more willing to reach an agreement than they were previously."
If at any point progress seriously stalls, the union is in legal position to strike. It has said it will give 24 hours notice before a work stoppage.
Analysts say the union will likely achieve similar deals to the one inked with Ford on Monday.
Canadian Ford auto workers will vote this weekend on the tentative agreement and the CAW said results of the vote will be released on Sunday night.
The Ford deal contains no increases to base wages and pension plans will remain the same for existing employees. Each worker will get $2,000 a year in the second, third and fourth years to cover cost-of-living increases, and a $3,000 ratification bonus.
New hires will make 60 per cent of full pay, which would be reached after 10 years -- rather than after six years as in the last collective agreement. New hires will also be signed up for a hybrid pension plan, rather than a defined benefit plan for current workers.
The Ford deal will also give 800 laid off employees a chance to get back to work, partially through the creation of 600 new jobs at its Canadian operations. Most of the those positions will be at Ford's assembly plant its Oakville, Ont.

Read more: http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/caw-cou...#ixzz272mHqSqa

ShowSStopper · 09-20-2012, 04:35 PM

Unions...what a joke. Nice that the union leaders always seem to reap the benefits of these negotiations, isn't it?

mikeyg36 · 09-20-2012, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShowSStopper

Unions...what a joke. Nice that the union leaders always seem to reap the benefits of these negotiations, isn't it?

Kill the unions.

kmmink · 09-20-2012, 06:39 PM

GREG KEENAN - AUTO INDUSTRY REPORTER
Toronto — The Globe and Mail
Published Thursday, Sep. 20 2012, 9:07 AM EDT
Last updated Thursday, Sep. 20 2012, 5:29 PM EDT

The Canadian Auto Workers union said it could issue a 24-hour strike notice against General Motors Co. Thursday afternoon.

Late Thursday afternoon, the two sides were still negotiating, with significant issues still outstanding, said Jerry Dias, an assistant to CAW president Ken Lewenza.

Earlier, Mr. Lewenza said the company had still not met the pattern labour contract established with Ford Motor Co. GM maintained Thursday afternoon that it has done so.

"Following extensive meetings and dialogue, GM Canada has delivered a proposal to the CAW that meets pattern on all elements of the Ford agreement," said GM representative Faye Roberts.

Mr. Lewenza said he will meet GM negotiators one more time before setting a strike deadline.

A GM offer presented Thursday morning fell short on job security provisions and wages for newly hired employees, Mr.Lewenza said.

GM has effectively made temporary employees, who were supposed to be used only for vehicle launches, into full-time employees, he said, and the union wants them to paid as full-time employees. He added that GM has exploited what was supposed to be a group of temporary workers.

In addition, Mr. Lewenza said, the union is still seeking commitments on new jobs to replace some or all of those scheduled to be eliminated when an assembly plant in Oshawa, Ont., closes next year.

Talks with GM were more advanced than those with Chrysler Group LLC in what is known as pattern bargaining where an agreement with one company sets the standard on wages and other economic issues and the other companies traditionally match it.

GM still had not met the pattern agreement established at Ford, Mr. Lewenza said. Workers at Ford Motor Co. of Canada Ltd. plants in Windsor, Ont., Oakville, Ont. and Brampton, Ont. will vote on the tentative agreement Saturday and Sunday.

All three auto makers entered the talks insisting that hourly labour costs at their Canadian plants had to be cut to match those at their U.S. operations.

Industry analysts said this week that the Ford deal, which includes a four-year wage freeze and reductions in pay and benefits for newly hired employees will not raise the auto maker’s labour costs in Canada, but it was not clear yet if those costs will be reduced.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe...rticle4556275/

INTIMIDAT3R · 09-20-2012, 06:49 PM

Unions are good at saying wages have stagnated over the past decade, but when the union heads get rich the workers usually get a measly 3% raise the 3rd and 6th(final year) of a contract.

At a certain major manufacturer, ask about the 2 Tier pay scale. Anyone hired before 1997 makes great money. Anyone after 1997 has to work 60+ hours/week to make what the others make in 40, we get no pension while the old guys get $3200/month(more than what 75% of the current workers make), and unlike the old guys there is no medical when we retire.

BUT we get a 401k that gets a 25% match on every dollar up to 6%. Woohoo. Insert lack of enthusiasm here.

Jas29 · 09-20-2012, 09:11 PM

News 1130 JUST IN: The Canadian Auto Workers says it has reached a tentative agreement with General Motors.

09-20-2012, 04:29 PM	#1
kmmink Drives: 2013 2LT/RS/GFX CRT/Beige A6 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Louisiana Posts: 322	CAW could soon issue strike notice at GM The Canadian Press Published Thursday, Sep. 20, 2012 12:13PM EDT Last Updated Thursday, Sep. 20, 2012 2:43PM EDT The Canadian Auto Workers could issue a strike notice at General Motors later Thursday if talks don't progress, but the union said it's making some headway with Chrysler. Ken Lewenza and other top union officials were in a meeting with General Motors on Thursday afternoon in the third day of intense negotiations since the union put off an 11:59 p.m. Monday strike deadline to keep talks going with the two automakers. Until Thursday, the union had suggested it was making more headway with General Motors than with Chrysler in getting the companies to agree to similar conditions arrived at in a deal with Ford Canada Monday. "People are getting frustrated and we were hopeful that we'd be able to reach an agreement with GM before now, but that hasn't happened," said spokeswoman Shannon Devine. Devine said the union could issue a strike notice some time Thursday. "So far no notice has been issued," she said. But the CAW said it is making some progress in its contract negotiations with Chrysler, saying the company seems to be more willing than it was to reach an agreement. After reaching a tentative agreement with Ford earlier this week, the CAW has turned to getting similar deals at both Chrysler and General Motors. "We don't yet have an agreement with Chrysler but discussions have been constructive and we are making progress," the CAW said in a news release. "Chrysler executives seem to be more willing to reach an agreement than they were previously." If at any point progress seriously stalls, the union is in legal position to strike. It has said it will give 24 hours notice before a work stoppage. Analysts say the union will likely achieve similar deals to the one inked with Ford on Monday. Canadian Ford auto workers will vote this weekend on the tentative agreement and the CAW said results of the vote will be released on Sunday night. The Ford deal contains no increases to base wages and pension plans will remain the same for existing employees. Each worker will get $2,000 a year in the second, third and fourth years to cover cost-of-living increases, and a $3,000 ratification bonus. New hires will make 60 per cent of full pay, which would be reached after 10 years -- rather than after six years as in the last collective agreement. New hires will also be signed up for a hybrid pension plan, rather than a defined benefit plan for current workers. The Ford deal will also give 800 laid off employees a chance to get back to work, partially through the creation of 600 new jobs at its Canadian operations. Most of the those positions will be at Ford's assembly plant its Oakville, Ont. Read more: http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/caw-cou...#ixzz272mHqSqa __________________ 2013 2LT/RS CRT/Beige A6;Body-color gfx, body-color blade spoiler, body-color grille, body-color engine cover, Sunroof, Navigation, 20" polished aluminum wheels, Spare tire, and Cargo net-Order placed 8/4/12-TPW 8/27/12-Delivered 9/27/12 and 2013 2LT/RS AGM/Gray A6;Body-color gfx, body-color blade spoiler, body-color grille, Sunroof, Navigation, 20" polished aluminum wheels(last years), Spare tire, and Cargo net-Order placed 10/4/12-TPW 10/29/12-Delivered 12/11/12.

09-20-2012, 06:39 PM	#4
kmmink Drives: 2013 2LT/RS/GFX CRT/Beige A6 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Louisiana Posts: 322	CAW could set GM strike deadline today GREG KEENAN - AUTO INDUSTRY REPORTER Toronto — The Globe and Mail Published Thursday, Sep. 20 2012, 9:07 AM EDT Last updated Thursday, Sep. 20 2012, 5:29 PM EDT The Canadian Auto Workers union said it could issue a 24-hour strike notice against General Motors Co. Thursday afternoon. Late Thursday afternoon, the two sides were still negotiating, with significant issues still outstanding, said Jerry Dias, an assistant to CAW president Ken Lewenza. Earlier, Mr. Lewenza said the company had still not met the pattern labour contract established with Ford Motor Co. GM maintained Thursday afternoon that it has done so. "Following extensive meetings and dialogue, GM Canada has delivered a proposal to the CAW that meets pattern on all elements of the Ford agreement," said GM representative Faye Roberts. Mr. Lewenza said he will meet GM negotiators one more time before setting a strike deadline. A GM offer presented Thursday morning fell short on job security provisions and wages for newly hired employees, Mr.Lewenza said. GM has effectively made temporary employees, who were supposed to be used only for vehicle launches, into full-time employees, he said, and the union wants them to paid as full-time employees. He added that GM has exploited what was supposed to be a group of temporary workers. In addition, Mr. Lewenza said, the union is still seeking commitments on new jobs to replace some or all of those scheduled to be eliminated when an assembly plant in Oshawa, Ont., closes next year. Talks with GM were more advanced than those with Chrysler Group LLC in what is known as pattern bargaining where an agreement with one company sets the standard on wages and other economic issues and the other companies traditionally match it. GM still had not met the pattern agreement established at Ford, Mr. Lewenza said. Workers at Ford Motor Co. of Canada Ltd. plants in Windsor, Ont., Oakville, Ont. and Brampton, Ont. will vote on the tentative agreement Saturday and Sunday. All three auto makers entered the talks insisting that hourly labour costs at their Canadian plants had to be cut to match those at their U.S. operations. Industry analysts said this week that the Ford deal, which includes a four-year wage freeze and reductions in pay and benefits for newly hired employees will not raise the auto maker’s labour costs in Canada, but it was not clear yet if those costs will be reduced. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe...rticle4556275/ __________________ 2013 2LT/RS CRT/Beige A6;Body-color gfx, body-color blade spoiler, body-color grille, body-color engine cover, Sunroof, Navigation, 20" polished aluminum wheels, Spare tire, and Cargo net-Order placed 8/4/12-TPW 8/27/12-Delivered 9/27/12 and 2013 2LT/RS AGM/Gray A6;Body-color gfx, body-color blade spoiler, body-color grille, Sunroof, Navigation, 20" polished aluminum wheels(last years), Spare tire, and Cargo net-Order placed 10/4/12-TPW 10/29/12-Delivered 12/11/12.

09-20-2012, 06:49 PM	#5
INTIMIDAT3R Account Suspended Drives: '11 2SS/RS L99, '12 2LS LFX Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Malmac A.U.N. Posts: 2,122 View My Garage	Unions are good at saying wages have stagnated over the past decade, but when the union heads get rich the workers usually get a measly 3% raise the 3rd and 6th(final year) of a contract. At a certain major manufacturer, ask about the 2 Tier pay scale. Anyone hired before 1997 makes great money. Anyone after 1997 has to work 60+ hours/week to make what the others make in 40, we get no pension while the old guys get $3200/month(more than what 75% of the current workers make), and unlike the old guys there is no medical when we retire. BUT we get a 401k that gets a 25% match on every dollar up to 6%. Woohoo. Insert lack of enthusiasm here. Last edited by INTIMIDAT3R; 09-20-2012 at 07:04 PM.

09-20-2012, 04:35 PM	#2
ShowSStopper Account Suspended Drives: 2012 Camaro 1SS Black Coupe Join Date: May 2012 Location: Houston Posts: 1,091	Unions...what a joke. Nice that the union leaders always seem to reap the benefits of these negotiations, isn't it?

09-20-2012, 09:11 PM	#6
Jas29 Drives: 2017 Camaro SS Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Garage Posts: 309	News 1130 JUST IN: The Canadian Auto Workers says it has reached a tentative agreement with General Motors.

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