CAW Strike Threatens Camaro Production

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http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dl...95813982/1078/

CAW threatens to strike GM in Oshawa, Ontario
Contract expires Sept. 17

Rick Kranz
Automotive News
January 25, 2008 - 3:29 pm ET

DETROIT -- The Canadian Auto Workers union local representing employees at General Motors' Oshawa, Ontario, assembly plant is threatening to strike this fall unless the automaker confirms additional products and jobs.

CAW Local 222 warned GM on Thursday that the automaker is not living up to promises made in 2006 to build other models there besides the Chevrolet Camaro, the Toronto Star reported earlier today. The CAW's contract with GM expires Sept. 17.

Camaro production begins in February 2009. Besides that car, the plant had been expected to assemble other new rear-wheel-drive models. The plant currently assembles the front-drive Chevrolet Impala and Buick LaCrosse on three shifts.

In 2006, union members ratified concessions to reduce costs, create a flexible assembly plant and secure future vehicles. But the CAW said GM now wants additional concessions to ensure future models, the newspaper reported.

A GM spokesman said future products for Oshawa are in flux.

" Between the time we made the decision to make the investment in the flex plant and move forward with the new competitive offering agreement and Camaro, a huge amount has changed," said Stew Low, director of communications for GM of Canada.

" The loonie has soared to parity and beyond, and nobody anticipated a 35 mpg (CAFE) standard," Low told Automotive News. " The union is focused on new product programs and jobs -- and guess what, so are we."

No timetable was given for an announcement. In its recently negotiated contract with the UAW, GM agreed to an array of product commitments to U.S. plants over the next several years.

[GMusa]

I still believe we will see a RWD Impala soon.

[zete]

Hargrove and the CAW are cornered and know it. With the concessions the UAW gave the CAW have to find a way of ensuring GM doesn't start yanking future work into the US. I can see a lot of concessions coming, whether the CAW like it or not. A job with concessions is better than no job.

[GM lover]

For once in my life I actually feel General Motors is in the wrong since they did make promises to build new models in Canada. GM should still build more than just the Camaro in Canada.

[EllwynX]

Originally Posted by GM lover

For once in my life I actually feel General Motors is in the wrong since they did make promises to build new models in Canada. GM should still build more than just the Camaro in Canada.

I agree. Whether plans have to be altered or not, they should still build additional vehicles in the plant.

So the Camaro is now being reported (more than once) was starting production in Feb of '09? Not RELEASED in Feb (within a month) of '09? Which would mean even MORE time 'til it's available? I dunno if I can continue to drive my current dullsmobile even longer, I'm sick of it as it is.

[Tequilujan]

Originally Posted by GMusa

I still believe we will see a RWD Impala soon.

So do I. Another huge front-wheeler would really suck. And don't give me that crap about CAFE... it's not like its 35mpg EPA.

[fastball]

Originally Posted by GM lover

For once in my life I actually feel General Motors is in the wrong since they did make promises to build new models in Canada. GM should still build more than just the Camaro in Canada.

Yes, I have to agree as well. I'm usually a critic of unions, but in this case I think GM needs to stick to their word. The expansion/redesign of Oshawa was predicated on multiple, parallel vehicle production on Zeta flex. The Camaro is first, but GM DID lead on that other Zeta based cars would be produced, and this plant would be flexible enough to produce them all concurrently, with high quality.

I really doubt GM would be foolish enough to let Oshawa produce only Camaros when they've invested millions if not billions in redesigning the plant (far beyond a simple retooling here).

[KIDDIESEL79]

They will still have a new Lacrosse right? I still don't think the RWD Impala is dead. Like Lutz said, it's on hold.

[Copcarz]

Welcome to the club CAW! I'm laid off from the Moraine, OH assembly plant. In '06 we were told we were getting the GMT 360NG, and a couple years before that, the GMT 361. That never happened either. They have us over a barrel. Toyota will take over sales lead easily because GM is bound and determined to abandon markets all over the place. BOF mid-size SUVs, minivans, and now rear drive cars. Toyota has to be laughing their heads off.

[Glass Half full]

Originally Posted by luvapontiac

Uhh...and why don 't we build the heartbeat of America's pony car in the United States instead of letting these socialist scumbags in Canada build America's premiere car? This is entirely whats wrong with GM. Build American cars in America, not have Toyota build Japanese cars in America. GM, please bring American cars back to American workers instead of these socialist weaklings up north? I am ashamed my Pontiac Aztek was built in Mexico when I try to defend American cars not even built here by our boys.

I used to think all Aztek buyers are retarded, and one among them is a JackA** . You should be ashamed of your Aztek, irrespective of where it is built, Mexico or states side . Calling people of other countries scumbags, is not going to get your school dropout friends in Detroit, their jobs back.

An Aztek is the best match for you.

[hotrod1949]

Originally Posted by Copcarz

Welcome to the club CAW! I'm laid off from the Moraine, OH assembly plant. In '06 we were told we were getting the GMT 360NG, and a couple years before that, the GMT 361. That never happened either. They have us over a barrel. Toyota will take over sales lead easily because GM is bound and determined to abandon markets all over the place. BOF mid-size SUVs, minivans, and now rear drive cars. Toyota has to be laughing their heads off.

The CAW made some rather large concessions to get the Camaro and other product if I recall. Nothing like the last UAW master agreement, but fairly earth shattering at the time. GM should keep their word, but I am certain this is all bargaining strategy, September isn't that far away.

[bone]

The CAW, Ontario and Canadian Governments have a legitimate beef, however, taking strike action against G.M. is misguided. Continued negotiations and aquiring public support is the way to go.

[unkillsam]

Originally Posted by Copcarz

Welcome to the club CAW! I'm laid off from the Moraine, OH assembly plant. In '06 we were told we were getting the GMT 360NG, and a couple years before that, the GMT 361. That never happened either. They have us over a barrel. Toyota will take over sales lead easily because GM is bound and determined to abandon markets all over the place. BOF mid-size SUVs, minivans, and now rear drive cars. Toyota has to be laughing their heads off.

BOF mid-size suv segment is dead. Toyota doesn't sell a ton of them. Neither does Nissan. Ford is abandoing them as well. Most of the former customers are going into cross-overs, or making the jump to full-size truck based suv's.

Sorry that you are getting laid off, but these things happen. You made a very good wage while it lasted.

Could you make the transition to another plant in Ohio. Lordstown is pretty far east but is going to get A LOT of product soon.

[mike's 01ws6]

When the workers at Oshawa gave up concessions essentially trying to underbid other plants they started something that came back and bit them in the a@@. If the Impala and whatever else was supposed to go there winds up on something other than Zeta then whats the big deal.

[luvapontiac]

For goodness sake's Glass Half Full of urine...you missed my entire point completely. You obviously are Canadian. But again, I see where you have a PhD in online pyschology and can make a complete diagnosis of my intellect based entirely on what kind of vehicle I drive!! That has got to be the dumbest thing I heard in my life! Oh please..Can you give me more of your insightfullness and tell me what kind of car you have so I know what all the "smart" people are driving? Get some new material champ.