January 2, 2000
Volume 30, No. 1
Final WTO Auto Pact Ruling Expected Soon
The release of a final ruling by the World Trade Organization (WTO) on the 34-year-old Auto Pact is expected at the end of January. Last year the WTO issued a preliminary finding that the Auto Pact violates WTO rules, and many observers are expecting the final ruling to also be negative. The CAW is strongly encouraging the federal government to appeal, if a negative ruling is issued at the end of the month. The Auto Pact between Canada and the U.S. was established in 1966. It allowed automakers agreeing to produce one vehicle in Canada for every vehicle they sell and who also agreed to meet a 60 per cent Canadian value-added requirement, to transport vehicles back and forth across the U.S.-Canada border duty free. Otherwise, foreign car manufacturers currently pay a 6.1 per cent tariff to bring cars into Canada. Two years ago the CAW successfully launched a major campaign urging the federal government not to end automotive tariffs and the Auto Pact, which helps protect tens of thousands of automotive sector jobs in Canadian communities. It is a very fundamental issue of ensuring the government continues to fight to maintain Canadian jobs for the future.
CAW Supports Venezuelan Relief
During the holiday season the CAW donated $25,000 (U.S.) to help flood victims in Venezuela. The CAW made the donation immediately in response to an urgent request from the Canadian Labour Congress and the ORIT (Interamerican Regional Organization of Workers) office in Caracas, Venezuela. The money was donated for urgently needed medical supplies. The CAW continues to monitor the situation. A message of solidarity was sent from the CAW to the people of Venezuela as they mourn their losses and struggle to put their lives back together. In mid-December torrential rains began falling in Venezuela, triggering mud slides that swept away part of the country's northern coast. The flooding and mud slides left approximately 200,000 people homeless and up to 20,000 dead or missing.
CAW Donates To Food Banks
The CAW donated a total of $101,000 to food banks across Canada in 1999. The support was provided to 34 food banks serving communities from Vancouver to Halifax to Yellowknife with funds coming from the CAW's Social Justice Fund and CAW Council. Food Bank Facts: In the fall of 1999, the Canadian Association of Food Banks released its annual survey on food bank use in Canada. "Hunger Count 99" shows that: * more than 790,000 Canadians visited a food bank in the past year; * food bank use has more than doubled in the last decade. Since the 1998 CAFB survey food bank use is up by 10 per cent; * more than 300,000 children or more than 40 per cent of total recipients were children; * food banks and their agencies served more than 1.5 million prepared meals; * most food banks have less than five days food on hand for families.
More New CAW Members
New members continue to join the CAW. Here is a list of some of the workers who have recently decided to join the CAW: 25 members of CAW Local 504 at Nash Engineering Company of Canada Ltd. in Burlington, ON. The company manufactures pumps and compressors; 57 new members at Strongco Inc. in Mississauga, ON. The company handles rentals, servicing and sales of heavy equipment. The workers are part of CAW Local 252; 300 members at the Northern Lights Casino in Prince Albert, SK; 68 members at the Lakeview Inn and Suites in Gimli, MB; at LI Laser Innovations Inc. in Vancouver, BC, a group of 69 workers have joined the CAW. The company makes picture frames and giftware.
Calendar of Events
Don't forget ! If your local has an Event they'd like added to the CAW home page: www.caw.ca., all you have to do is go to: What's News CAW Calendar of Events Add Your Event Please note that the CAW reserves the right to edit submissions for length and content
Bulletin
The CAW is urging support for the Family Farm Tribute concert in Toronto on January 16. The National Farmers Union and other groups have organized the concert which features Gordon Lightfoot, Prairie Oyster, Big Sugar and many others, to bring attention to the importance of maintaining the family farm. The concert is being held at the Air Canada Centre, January 16, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. The national CAW is offering local unions in the Toronto area the tickets at a greatly reduced rate. If CAW local unions want to obtain tickets, contact the CAW national office at (416) 495-6556. For more information, visit the Family Farm Tribute website at http://www.familyfarmtribute.com
