Hargrove won't rule out a strike by GM workers

[doh]

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNew...hub=TopStories

The head of the Canadian Auto Workers said Thursday that the union is still considering the possibility of a strike to protest a decision by General Motors to close their truck plant in Oshawa, Ont.

CAW president Buzz Hargrove said he also fully supports the current blockade by workers at the entrance to GM's Canadian headquarters in Oshawa.

"It's an expression of the frustration and anger that people have after being told by the union just two weeks ago that their plant was going to remain open past 2011,'' Hargrove told The Canadian Press

"Two weeks later General Motors announces in violation of our collective agreement they're closing it and people are angry.''

Hargrove said he has warned GM that the union will fight the company's decision to close the plant -- which could include the implementation of a strike.

Meanwhile, officials with the CAW union Local 222 have been able to secure a meeting with General Motors chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner in Detroit on Friday.

But local union president Chris Buckley said the blockade will still remain in place.

Production at the Oshawa plant and three other North American factories will be shut down next year.

All of the plants slated for closure assemble pickup trucks or sport utility vehicles.

GM said Tuesday the closure will eliminate 1,000 jobs in Oshawa, but union leaders said there are 2,600 people who will be out of work at the plant.

Problems with product

Labour relations expert Wayne Lewchuk said criticisms that autoworkers are overpaid are inaccurate.

"I don't think autoworkers are overpaid, those are tough jobs and if you've ever done it you know how tough they are," Lewchuk told CTV's Canada AM on Thursday.

"Other places that have high wages -- like Japan and Germany -- (but) they still make cars so it's not the wages that are the issue here."

Instead, Lewchuk said the problem comes down to product.

"You've got to design cars that people want and I think the problem with the 'Big Three' right now is they don't have the cars that people want."

Meanwhile, in Ottawa, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said Wednesday that federal government could use its $250-million Automotive Innovation Fund to help the situation.

The fund is meant to help the development of greener and more fuel-efficient vehicles.

"I've already spoken with General Motors about that. We're going to stay on that as a federal government and if we can participate in funding that innovation then we're certainly going to be there,'' Flaherty told reporters.

[psece]

Stupid but then again:

"It's an expression of the frustration and anger that people have after being told by the union just two weeks ago that their plant was going to remain open past 2011,'' Hargrove told The Canadian Press

"Two weeks later General Motors announces in violation of our collective agreement they're closing it and people are angry."

Not well spoken as I think they meant that GM said the plant would remain open past 2011. If GM said it then that is kind of sketchy. But then again, if GM just came out and said we are closing plant X in negotiations, it probably wouldn't go to well....

[MCGARRETT]

Meanwhile, in Ottawa, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said Wednesday that federal government could use its $250-million Automotive Innovation Fund to help the situation

I think that this might help, how much would it cost to convert Oshwa truck to something else? Epsilon production anyone? A 3rd Malibu plant, if more Malibu variants become available, such as a coupe and Maxx/wagon, there could be some incentive to move some Malibu norde des lingnes?

Fairfax-Malibu/Aura and LaCrosse replacement in 2009-10(this could get tight if the LaCrosse and next gen Aura are hits)

Orion-G6 and Malibu

Hey putting 380-400,000 Malibu's on the road could make it a serious contender to the Camcord.

I think that there will be enough demand for the Malibu/next gen Aura and next gen LaCrosse that there could be room for a 3rd Ep plant in the US, not to mention that cheap labor rates make the US prime for exports, next gen 93 made in the US?

What about another Delta plant?, GM used to make the Cavalier/Sunfire in 3 plants at their peak, Lordstown, Mexico and in Lansing I believe.

[jbernie]

In some ways, if the strike doesn't impact the production volume of vehicles (mainly cars) that are really selling, ie Malibu & CTS, I could see GM not being too worried about the strike for a little while, will help reduce inventories for the slow sellers.

Has potential.

[jkennedy293]

Let them strike. GM gets to reduce and inventory, and they don't have to pay the employees to work. The plant will be closed in a year anyhow. Seems like a win-win for GM.

[Uzzy]

Another link complete with video.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1020/...9cbb52df_m.jpg

It looks like Buzz and Chris well be in town tomorrow. Tomorrow my company is taking part in a fundraising event with both salary and union staff participating. I wonder if our plant's local could get some face time with ol' Buzz. Maybe then I could give him a thought or two, since doesn't have a single one in his big fat head!

[Uzzy]

Originally Posted by jkennedy293

Let them strike. GM gets to reduce and inventory, and they don't have to pay the employees to work. The plant will be closed in a year anyhow. Seems like a win-win for GM.

The problem is the strike he speaks of would be GM-CAW wide. This would shut down St. Catherine's engine and the Oshawa car plant as well. Oshawa is pumping out Impalas just about as fast as they can and prepping for the Camaro, so it would screw up the Camaro launch guaranteed...unless GM can get some scabs in there to build the Camaro. I'd buy a Canadian Scab built Camaro.

[likearock00]

Gotta love unions!! Sorry, but GM can't keep a plant open if it's not profitable. They're not going to keep pushing trucks out of Oshawa if customers aren't going to buy them. What part of this is hard to understand??

The car plant will remain open, and they should be thankful for that.

[fp115]

Originally Posted by MCGARRETT

I think that this might help, how much would it cost to convert Oshwa truck to something else? Epsilon production anyone? A 3rd Malibu plant, if more Malibu variants become available, such as a coupe and Maxx/wagon, there could be some incentive to move some Malibu norde des lingnes?

Fairfax-Malibu/Aura and LaCrosse replacement in 2009-10(this could get tight if the LaCrosse and next gen Aura are hits)

Orion-G6 and Malibu

Hey putting 380-400,000 Malibu's on the road could make it a serious contender to the Camcord.

I think that there will be enough demand for the Malibu/next gen Aura and next gen LaCrosse that there could be room for a 3rd Ep plant in the US, not to mention that cheap labor rates make the US prime for exports, next gen 93 made in the US?

What about another Delta plant?, GM used to make the Cavalier/Sunfire in 3 plants at their peak, Lordstown, Mexico and in Lansing I believe.

Upcoming hybrids and the Volt would have been great candidates. At some point these things were asked to the government but responded by saying it cannot be done since it may be too hazardous. The government needs to review its manufacturing laws before any money is given to GM. If money is given to GM, another part that has to be looked at will be taxes for the land in south Oshawa.

I think for now we need to wait and see what will turn out from this, but it would be exciting to see a new very efficient and green car coming out from Oshawa.

[TJ95GAGT]

woohoo way to kick your employer when they are down. Sounds like a great idea to me!! ( note the sarcasm)

[fp115]

Originally Posted by Uzzy

The problem is the strike he speaks of would be GM-CAW wide. This would shut down St. Catherine's engine and the Oshawa car plant as well. Oshawa is pumping out Impalas just about as fast as they can and prepping for the Camaro, so it would screw up the Camaro launch guaranteed...unless Gm can get some scabs in there to build the Camaro. I'd buy a Canadian Scab built Camaro.

If they would be to strike, the CAW would lose out even more. Why? Well that is something we will see if it happens, otherwise no point in saying anything.

[Shawn Wuan]

Originally Posted by MCGARRETT

I think that this might help, how much would it cost to convert Oshwa truck to something else? Epsilon production anyone? A 3rd Malibu plant, if more Malibu variants become available, such as a coupe and Maxx/wagon, there could be some incentive to move some Malibu norde des lingnes?

Fairfax-Malibu/Aura and LaCrosse replacement in 2009-10(this could get tight if the LaCrosse and next gen Aura are hits)

Orion-G6 and Malibu

Hey putting 380-400,000 Malibu's on the road could make it a serious contender to the Camcord.

I think that there will be enough demand for the Malibu/next gen Aura and next gen LaCrosse that there could be room for a 3rd Ep plant in the US, not to mention that cheap labor rates make the US prime for exports, next gen 93 made in the US?

What about another Delta plant?, GM used to make the Cavalier/Sunfire in 3 plants at their peak, Lordstown, Mexico and in Lansing I believe.

sounds good to me

[redfox]

Originally Posted by likearock00

Gotta love unions!! Sorry, but GM can't keep a plant open if it's not profitable. They're not going to keep pushing trucks out of Oshawa if customers aren't going to buy them. What part of this is hard to understand??

The car plant will remain open, and they should be thankful for that.

True, and the power has shifted from the union to the company if i was the UAW and CAW i would think twice before i went on stricke.

[tgagneguam]

I don't think Hargrove thought this through. So, you're going to strike a plant that builds products that GM doesn't want to have to sell, and since you're striking, GM doesn't have to pay the workers. I definitely understand the frustration and sense of betrayal that the Union is feeling, but unless other plants join their brothers and sisters, I'm not so sure where the Union's lesson for GM is. Where's their leverage?

Meanwhile, in Ottawa, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said Wednesday that federal government could use its $250-million Automotive Innovation Fund to help the situation.

I think GM should bear the cost of investing in its products, not the citizenry. When GM's innovations work out, it is up to the government to maintain a fair tax code that allows GM to reap the profits of its endeavors, not the government. And I know I stand mostly alone in that kind of thinking.

[Geotpf]

I'm not sure how that works. If GM is going to lay these guys off, how is going on strike any different? Sort of a "You're fired-well, I quit!" kind of thing, isn't it?