News & Events Archived Newsletters CONTACT 2007 February 9, 2007Environmental Priorities for a Strong Canadian Auto Industry
CAW President Buzz Hargrove is urging the federal government to develop fuel efficiency standards for vehicles that are good for the environment and that also recognize the importance of the auto industry to the Canadian economy.
Hargrove, in a submission to the federal legislative committee reviewing proposed amendments to the Clean Air Act, said that countries around the globe are adopting more stringent requirements for fuel economy and emission reductions.
But in his February 6 presentation Hargrove stressed that governments in Japan, China, the U.S. and the E.U. are developing these standards in full recognition of the importance of the auto industry to their respective economies.
The CAW submission outlines a number of important steps Canada must look at:
* supporting the principle of mandatory fuel efficiency standards, Hargrove argued for a 25 per cent improvement in fuel economy by 2014. Applying the standards to all vehicle segments from subcompacts to SUVs would ensure that Canadian production wasn't simply replaced by more imports;
* renewing its automotive fleet. While standards are important, on their own they will not achieve the desired results. Hargrove proposed a new consumer incentive, paid for by governments and industry, that would encourage drivers to replace old cars with new North American produced vehicles that incorporate green auto technologies;
* supporting Canadian production and technologies. The CAW proposed a Green Vehicle Transition fee to be assessed on each manufacturer that sells into our market, based on each company's total Canadian sales. The fee, set at about $500 per vehicle would be earned back by companies that make Canadian investments in green automotive technologies;
* a comprehensive program. In addition to greater fuel efficiency and new technologies a transportation strategy is needed that increases the use of renewable fuels and reduce the use of vehicles overall. This requires investments in clean and alternative fuels, mass transit, rail, as well as efforts to reduce gridlock.
The CAW's submission on Bill C-30 can be found on the CAW web site at: www.caw.ca/visual&printlibrary/speeches&briefs/briefs/index.asp
New Agreement at Xstrata Nickel
CAW Local 598 members who work for Xstrata Nickel in Sudbury, Ontario have overwhelmingly endorsed a three-year collective agreement recommended by their bargaining committee.
It took strikes to settle the last three rounds of bargaining with the former owners of the mining operation, Falconbridge. Hemi Mitic, assistant to CAW president Buzz Hargrove, said there was a major difference in management's attitude in this round of contract talks.
"We had a tough round of negotiations, but in the end our bargaining committee was able to negotiate a solid tentative agreement without the need for a strike. Xstrata is a new owner and brings a new attitude here," Mitic said.
Local 598 president Rick Grylls said "the sound leadership of the bargaining committee, the strong support of our members and the assistance of the CAW National office brought our members a full bodied package. They supported the bargaining committee's recommendation with a large turnout for the ratification meetings and an 87 per cent acceptance."
The new agreement provides a significant signing bonus and wage increases in each of the three years. The new agreement also provides pension gains, improved contract language concerning vacations, job postings, benefits, skilled trades, apprenticeships, training, union representation and the movement of 250 Local 598 members to Xstrata's new Nickel Rim South mine in the Sudbury area.
Local 598 represents more than 1,000 active mine, mill & smelter workers, 1500 retirees and over 600 surviving spouses.
RSI Awareness Day: February 28
CAW members from coast to coast are focusing on a variety of activities around this year's International Repetitive Strain Injury Awareness Day on February 28th. The focus is on the need for ergonomic regulations, justice and dignity for injured workers and respectful accommodation.
RSI's are a serious occupational health concern. In some Canadian provinces, sprains and strains account for 50 per cent of all occupational injuries and illnesses with nearly 30 per cent occurring to the back. RSIs are a direct result of poor job design. British Columbia and Saskatchewan are currently the only two Canadian provinces with ergonomic regulations.
On February 28 CAW members are urged to participate in area activities through local labour councils and other community organizations to continue raising awareness.
To find out more about RSIs visit the CAW website at: www.caw.ca/whatwedo/health&safety/factsheet/index.asp .
For additional information please e-mail: cawhse@caw.ca.
Protect Workers' Pensions During Bankruptcy
CAW president Buzz Hargrove is urging federal and provincial politicians to take action to prevent retirees and workers from losing pensions, health care benefits and severance pay when a company declares bankruptcy.
The latest troubling case involves General Chemical in Amherstburg, Ontario, which was part of CAW Local 89, and where the company went into CCAA (Companies Creditors Arrangement Act) protection and then into bankruptcy in 2005. More than 600 people were thrown out of work.
Prior to CCAA protection and bankruptcy, local and national union officials repeatedly raised concerns about the significant under funding of the pension plan to the corporation and the Financial Services Commission of Ontario.
In a recent letter to federal and provincial politicians Hargrove outlined the devastation of the bankruptcy on workers, retirees and families.
"Imagine if you can, these retirees, workers and their families who are put at the bottom of the creditor's list will receive no severance and will have no health care benefits and their pensions significantly reduced," Hargrove said.
He stressed that current laws are antiquated and need updating. At the federal level, Bill C-55 - The Wage Earner Protection Program Act, which would partially protect workers' wages in the case of a bankruptcy, sits in the Senate gathering dust, while workers incomes are significantly cut.
CAW Local 89 President John Deneau said the General Chemical plant in Amherstburg did not just happen into bankruptcy. "The company used our laws to claim bankruptcy in Canada and has left retirees and former employees to deal with the fall out in terms of reduced pensions, benefits, severance and termination pay. General Chemical continues to operate in the U. S. and ship their product into Canada daily," Deneau said.
The CAW continues to pursue provincial and federal governments to protect workers against loss of hard-earned pension and severance in cases of bankruptcy.
Japanese Currency Devaluation Must Be G-7 Issue
CAW President Buzz Hargrove says a federal government decision not to make currency manipulation an issue at the upcoming G-7 Finance Ministers' meeting is a mistake.
In a letter to Finance Minister Jim Flaherty Hargrove urged Flaherty to reconsider the issue on behalf of Canada's manufacturing workforce, which has been hard hit by under-valued currencies such as the Japanese yen.
Hargrove's complete letter can be found in the News section of the CAW National website.
