News & Events Archived Newsletters CONTACT 2007 November 9, 2007First Magna Workers Join CAW Under Framework of Fairness
The more than 250 workers at Windsor Modules, a division of Magna, have voted overwhelmingly in favour of a first collective agreement negotiated by the Canadian Auto Workers union and to join the union under the Framework of Fairness agreement (FFA).
CAW President Buzz Hargrove congratulated the workers on their first union agreement. "I'd like to welcome this group of workers to the CAW, the first of many Magna workers whom I believe will vote to join our union."
The three year agreement, ratified by over 87 per cent, includes an immediate $3 an hour wage increase for production workers with annual improvements, a skilled trades program, layoff and job security protections, a women's advocate, paid education leave and inter-plant transfer language, all of which are new benefits to Magna workers under the CAW/ Magna agreement.
Hemi Mitic, Assistant to the CAW National President, said he was pleased by the outcome of the negotiations which began more than two years ago.
The Windsor Module plant is the first of over 40 plants in the Magna system that has voted to adopt the Framework of Fairness and the new collective agreement which will be the template to be taken to the other Magna divisions.
The union will move to establish a country-wide Magna local union to welcome these and other Magna workers as they join the CAW.
CAW Demands Immediate Action to Stop Erosion of Auto Industry
CAW President Buzz Hargrove met with federal Minister of Industry Jim Prentice November 2, where he pressed the Conservative government to take immediate action on the growing loss of automotive jobs in Canada.
The need for quick action was highlighted again November 1 with the announcement of 1,100 new job losses at Chrysler in Brampton and Windsor, Ontario, adding to the 4,200 jobs to be lost as manufacturing operations at General Motors in Oshawa converge and downsize beginning this month. It is expected that thousands more jobs in auto parts production will also be lost as they scale back operations to compensate for the lost work.
While Hargrove urged the government to lower interest rates and stabilize the dollar, he stressed the need to deal with the unfair trade with Korea and Japan that is currently destroying the automotive industry.
"If you don't deal with the trade issue, you are going to see a lot more plants closing down and a lot more people being put out of work," said Hargrove.
While Minister Prentice fell far short of making any commitments, Hargrove advocated immediate government action and that the Canadian government pull out of free trade talks with Korea.
Harper Urged To Follow CAW's Lead on First Nation's Poverty
A Toronto Star editorial on October 27 praised the CAW's plan to work with First Nation's Communities to alleviate the pressing problem of First Nations Poverty. The Star urges the Stephen Harper Conservatives to follow the CAW's lead and take action to deal with the issue. Below are excerpts from the editorial:
"For two years, the Yukon's Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation community has been under a boil-water advisory because of the risk of E-coli contamination from its 90 water wells. And for two years they have asked the federal government for help, but to no avail.
So it is welcome news that the Canadian Auto Workers union plans to send volunteer labourers next spring to fix the wells and educate the community on how to maintain them. It is one of a number of initiatives the CAW is undertaking.
While urging other organizations and businesses to become involved, CAW president Buzz Hargrove rightly slammed Ottawa for failing to provide adequate help for hard-pressed native communities. More than 100 reserves remain under boil-water advisories and one in 30 of their homes have no running water or flush toilets.
.At the very least, Harper should follow the CAW's lead and match the resources that groups like the autoworkers' union are investing to improve conditions for Canada's 1 million native people."
CAW Environment Activists Recognized for Local Work
| 'CAW DREC President Dave Renaud (Local 222) and First Vice President Wendy Cartwright (Local 1090) take home the first ever GreenStar Community and Conservation Award for the Council's environmental work.' |
The CAW Durham Regional Environment Council (CAW DREC) was presented the Community and Conservation Star Award at the first ever GreenStar Expo consumer show and awards luncheon.
The event, held in Ajax, Ontario,was designed to showcase various environmental products, practices and services in an effort to build public awareness and to honour those individuals, businesses and community groups in Durham Region for the significant contribution to environmental activism.
The Community and Conservation Award was presented to the CAW DREC in recognition of their work in promoting a pesticide reduction strategy, advocating local producer take-back laws, water conservation and protection initiatives as well as their promotion of safe renewable energy solutions.
CAW DREC President Dave Renaud said it's important for the community to be engaged in public education initiatives focused on environmental protection.
"We are honoured to have been chosen for this important award," said Renaud. "GreenStar and its sponsors have now set the template for other organizations to initiate activities that promote a green sustainable community."
Cancer Fundraiser
| CAW Local 2169 members take part in Dragon Boat racing on the Red River to raise funds for the Canadian Cancer Society. A team of 24 CAW members from Boeing Winnipeg took part. The team included Local 2169 President Eveyln Sy, local Plant-Chair Ken Stuart, the youth committee's Mel Enero and shop rep/locals recording secretary Carmen Laterza. The team managed to raise just under $3,500 in pledges and a car wash. It was the only boat from a union. |
Staff Appointment
CAW President Buzz Hargrove has appointed CHAD JOHNSTON, Chair of the Local 2002 Air Canada bargaining committee as national representative in the Work Organization and Training Department effective Sunday, November 4, 2007, working out of the CAW Toronto office.
New Members
Here are some workplaces where workers have recently joined the CAW:
- 495 new members at Dana at three locations in Mount Forest, Brantford and Oakville, Ontario;
- 250 new members at Magna's Windsor Modules facility in Windsor, Ontario;
- 211 new members manufacturing steel furniture at Les Industries Amisco Ltee in L'Islet, Quebec. They are now part of Local 1044;
- 60 employees at the Hilton Garden Inn in Ajax, Ontario.
- 14 Special Constables at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario.
- 12 new members at the Cooperative Auto Network in Vancouver, British Columbia.
