News & Events Archived Newsletters CONTACT 2007 March 2, 2007Strong Gains at General Electric Canada
CAW members at four G.E. Canada locations have overwhelmingly ratified a new three-year collective agreement that provides major pension increases, wage and benefit gains, early retirement incentives and more.
CAW Locals 524, 252 and 2228 represent 850 workers at G.E. Canada locations including Peterborough, Toronto, Burlington and Arnprior, Ontario. The workers voted 92 per cent in favour of the new agreement.
"This is a strong agreement for our members in this important industry," said CAW national representative Jerry Dias. "The solid strike mandate from our membership sent a clear signal about the need for improvements in key areas of the collective agreements."
The pension gains include a maximum pension rate increase of $6.93 per month for each year of credited service. In addition early retirement penalties have been reduced and the special long service pension supplement goes up $1 to $10 per month per year of credited service.
The new agreement provides projected earnings increases of 2.5 per cent including COLA, in each year. As well, in an industry breakthrough, a new legal services plan for employees and retirees was negotiated.
The workers produce nuclear fuel rods and they also produce and repair electric motors.
Local 444 Members Meet Regarding Chrysler's Future
At a packed membership meeting, CAW Local 444 members in Windsor approved a resolution demanding DaimlerChrysler treat workers and their families with fairness and respect during any restructuring.
With media speculation swirling about the future ownership of Chrysler, the membership approved a resolution February 24, stating that CAW members at Chrysler deserve better than learning through the media that "all options were on the table" in terms of Chrysler's future.
CAW Local 444 is demanding that the company:
- discuss with the union any prospects that will affect active members and retirees;
- consider what is in the best interests of CAW members and their families in any option pursued;
- assure the union that if a sale is unavoidable, the Chrysler group will be sold as a going concern to buyers who have automotive experience and who will continue to operate the company;
- guarantee that Chrysler will not be sold to private equity investors whose goal would be to strip the assets, dismantle the operations or who are only interested in a speculative profit.
"In these uncertain times it's critical for the company to consider the interests of our members, their families, our retirees and our community when they make decisions about the future of DaimlerChrysler," said Ken Lewenza, CAW Local 444 President.
Fight First Nation Poverty, Hargrove Urges Tories
The upcoming federal budget must make a long overdue financial commitment to truly fight poverty in First Nations communities across Canada, CAW President Buzz Hargrove says.
Hargrove made the comments in support of the Assembly of First Nations campaign to end aboriginal poverty. Hargrove joined with Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine recently in Ottawa to outline the CAW's full support of the campaign.
Hargrove urged the Conservative government to act immediately and he also called for a long-term strategy to increase investment in education, health services, housing and infrastructure for all Aboriginal people in Canada.
The current government must honour the Kelowna Accord, which in 2005 proposed a 10-year, $5 billion initiative to help Aboriginal people, Hargrove said. The Conservatives first budget allocated only $150 million in 2006 and $300 million in 2007 to improve education programs, provide clean water, upgrade housing, etc. The Kelowna deal, if honoured, would have set aside $600 million in 2006 alone to improve health, education and housing standards.
"In exchange for the long lists of programs not implemented, started but halted, ignored, pledged, but with no resources -we need commitment. We need a different approach,' Hargrove said.
Conservatives Told to Strengthen Canada's Shipbuilding Industry
The federal government must take immediate action to secure the future of Canada's shipbuilding and marine industry, say labour representatives, industry and opposition MPs.
CAW/Marine Workers' Federation, other unions, industry representatives and, numerous MPs from all political parties, took part in a recent roundtable discussion in Ottawa on the future of the struggling shipbuilding and marine industry in Canada. NDP MP Peter Stoffer, who has worked closely with industry and labour, chaired the round table discussion.
The round table focused on the impact of the federal Conservatives' decision to continue free trade talks with South Korea and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).
Four recommendations were put forward to strengthen the industry. They include:
- re-instating the 15 per cent Structured Financial Facility (SCF) program with $350 million over 15 years and allow SSF to be combined with Accelerated Capital Cost Allowances for Canadian ship owners.
- adopt tax policies consistent with other maritime trading nations that provide access to capital for domestically built vessels;
- creation by the Canadian government of a shipyard environment and transformation fund on a 50/50 cost share basis with industry to address environmental, infrastructure, technology and productivity improvements;
"The Conservative government should abandon these trade talks immediately and it needs to implement the policies that these stakeholders have identified, which will ensure a stronger future for this vital industry," said CAW national representative Les Holloway.
Bob Chernecki, assistant to the CAW president, said "the roundtable discussion was critical not only to the members and their communities, but it was equally important in identifying that this industry is vital because it provides significant spin off opportunities for employment."
"We are committed to continuing this important fight to save our shipbuilding industry," Chernecki said.
Big Three COLA: March 1, 2007
The COLA adjustment at GM, Ford and Daimler-Chrysler effective for the first pay period on or after March 1, 2007, will be 0¢. The COLA remains at 68¢. There was no change in the most recent three month average of the Consumer Price Index.
Total straight time earnings for an assembler at GM, Ford and DaimlerChrysler will be as follows:
| GM Assembler | GM Prod.Tech. | Ford | DaimlerChrysler | |
| Base Rate | $32.25 | $32.54 | $32.24 | $32.24 |
| COLA Float | $0.68 | $0.68 | $0.68 | $0.68 |
| Total Straight Time Earnings (on/after March 1, 2007) | $32.93 | $33.22 | $32.92 | $32.92 |
| GM | Ford | DaimlerChrysler | |
| Base Rate | $38.64 | $38.64 | $38.64 |
| COLA Float | $0.68 | $0.68 | $0.68 |
| Total Straight Time Earnings (on/after March 1, 2007 | $39.32 | $39.32 | $39.32 |
SHANNON DEVINE has also been appointed to the Communications Department, CAW National Office, on a temporary basis, effective Monday, March 12, 2007.
MARCEL RONDEAU, National Executive Board member and President of CAW Quebec Council, has been appointed national service representative on a temporary basis, effective Sunday, March 5, 2007. Marcel will be working out of our Montreal Office.
