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21 October, 1999After a concerted organising drive at the staunchly non-union transnational company, the autoworkers' union comes out victorious.
CANADA: On October 14, the Canadian Auto Workers won a union vote at Magna International's Integram Windsor Seating plant, near Windsor, Ontario, by a vote of 317 to 285. Another 54 ballots remained sealed and were not included due to a dispute over the eligibility of the voters. The plant, employing approximately 700 people, produces seats for the Chrysler minivan. Although the company, in a stall tactic and before the vote even took place, filed notice with the Ontario Labour Relations Board that it would challenge the result, the CAW feels confident of obtaining union certification and that this may pave the way for other organising victories.
Previous attempts to organise a union at the Integram plant were thwarted by the company through intimidation and threats of job losses. During this union drive, Magna again tried various tactics to dissuade a pro-union vote. A mock ballot with an "X" in the "No" box was displayed in a locked glass display case, and workers were told not to wear pro-union buttons on their clothing because they presented a safety hazard. The CAW has been putting pressure on the Big Three automakers -- DaimlerChrysler, Ford and GM -- during recent negotiations not to purchase from non-union suppliers, in particular Magna.
Headquartered in Ontario, Magna is a major transnational automotive parts producer, with a plurality of its plants in Canada. The company employs approximately 49,000 people at 159 manufacturing divisions and 31 product development and engineering centers in 17 countries.
Previous attempts to organise a union at the Integram plant were thwarted by the company through intimidation and threats of job losses. During this union drive, Magna again tried various tactics to dissuade a pro-union vote. A mock ballot with an "X" in the "No" box was displayed in a locked glass display case, and workers were told not to wear pro-union buttons on their clothing because they presented a safety hazard. The CAW has been putting pressure on the Big Three automakers -- DaimlerChrysler, Ford and GM -- during recent negotiations not to purchase from non-union suppliers, in particular Magna.
Headquartered in Ontario, Magna is a major transnational automotive parts producer, with a plurality of its plants in Canada. The company employs approximately 49,000 people at 159 manufacturing divisions and 31 product development and engineering centers in 17 countries.