31 August, 2011CAW members agreed on a new tentative deal with Johnson Controls just hours before a strike deadline on midnight, August 26.
CANADA: "Workers in the auto parts sector across Canada have faced tremendous stress and uncertainty in recent years as employer after employer has demanded concessions and cutbacks and threatened closures," said Jerry Dias, assistant to the Canadian Auto Workers president.
During negotiations management informed the union that they were going to move 165 jobs to a Johnson Controls facility in Michigan, USA. "Ultimately, we were successful in preserving all the current work for the General Motors Oshawa complex," said Jerry Dias.
The members' base hourly wage was not affected, but the new agreement reduces paid time off and freezes the cost of living allowance. On the positive side, the union was successful in negotiating 40 buyout packages for senior members and to establish an overtime bank for time off.
Production workers voted 85 per cent in favour of the agreement and skilled trades 88 per cent in favour at a ratification meeting on August 28.
"I'm pleased that we were able to reach this agreement that secures our members jobs in the facility well into the future," said Chris Buckley, CAW Local 222 president. The Local represents more than 300 workers at the Whitby facility.
The facility produces door pads and floor consoles for the Chevrolet Impala, as well as seats for the Camaro, which are manufactured at General Motors' Oshawa plant in Ontario. A strike would have had an immediate impact on car assembly.