Thousands rally against GM's decision to shut plant

[doh]

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


The rally began at noon at GM's Canadian headquarters in Oshawa. Several unions across the province were bused in to join members of the Canadian Auto Workers union at the rally in a show of solidarity.

The demonstration was peaceful as protesters made their way along Park Road to Bloor Street and then turned around again.

The rally will end with speeches by union officials.

The massive rally is just the latest step in a week full of protests by GM workers.

Workers have formed a blockade on the property since last Wednesday, ever since GM announced rising fuel costs were forcing them to cut production on their trucks and SUVs.

Just two weeks after reaching a tentative contract agreement with CAW, GM announced they would be closing down the Oshawa plant, effectively laying off 2,600 people.

Union officials accused GM of being sneaky by not mentioning the closure during the collective bargaining process.

Keith Osborne, with CAW Local 222, told CTV Toronto before the rally began that the purpose of the demonstration is to send corporations a message about bargaining in bad faith.

"When you negotiate a collective agreement with a corporation they have to live up to it for three years and the union is expected to live up to it," he said Thursday morning.

"The other issue is fair trade, free trade. Corporations can't be allowed to take work that we do and take it to third world countries, places like Mexico, and pay (Mexican workers) $4.50 an hour."

[K-1]

Originally Posted by doh

"The other issue is fair trade, free trade. Corporations can't be allowed to take work that we do and take it to third world countries, places like Mexico, and pay (Mexican workers) $4.50 an hour."

Why not? Corporations owe you nothing. Be thankful you had a job for this long.

[Uzzy]

Idiots.

[genjy]

"The other issue is fair trade, free trade. Corporations can't be allowed to take work that we do and take it to third world countries, places like Mexico, and pay (Mexican workers) $4.50 an hour."

$4.50 USD per hour is mucho dinero in Mexico. If I were a Mexican factory worker, I would kill for a wage like that.

GM treating Mexicans right.

[Robert Ryan]

$4.50 USD per hour is mucho dinero in Mexico. If I were a Mexican factory worker, I would kill for a wage like that.

Let us hope that people in the US are not doing the same thing in the future.

[genjy]

Originally Posted by Robert Ryan

Let us hope that people in the US are not doing the same thing in the future.

Well, not with our inflation... $4.50 would probably buy us a Snickers bar.

[Ambalanche]

Originally Posted by doh

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



"The other issue is fair trade, free trade. Corporations can't be allowed to take work that we do and take it to third world countries, places like Mexico, and pay (Mexican workers) $4.50 an hour."

That's the quote that scares me. I know that's in Canada, but you don't have the right to tell any business they can't go where the profit is. Can't be allowed indeed!

[ByTheLake]

Originally Posted by Ambalanche

That's the quote that scares me. I know that's in Canada, but you don't have the right to tell any business they can't go where the profit is. Can't be allowed indeed!

Agreed. ultimately, the business is owned by its shareholders, and the business has a right to assemble wherever it wants.

[FenwickHockey65]

[Robert Ryan]

Agreed. ultimately, the business is owned by its shareholders, and the business has a right to assemble wherever it wants.

That is why WALMART buys assembled goods in China, a whole lot cheaper and more profitable for them, then buying from a US producer.

[Ed Arcuri]

I understand the frustration of these workers completely. They are, however, angry at the wrong people.
GM did not decide to shut the plant.
Our do-nothing Congress did as it has consistently failed to allow drilling and the development of nuclear power.
The car buyers did when they decided to switch their allegiance to foreign cars and smaller vehicles in response to Congress' lassitude.
Our Presidential Administration did when it took Prime Minister Abe of Japan to Graceland instead of to the woodshed for his country's protectionist policies.
We did when we decided to allow these things to happen unopposed.
I want everyone in North America, whether in Canada, the U.S., or Mexico to prosper from a strong domestic manufacturing base.
It won't happen until we advance beyond the outmoded management vs. worker mindset and start thinking intelligently. Ideas have consequences; even poor ones do.
Cheers,
Ed Arcuri
There are two kinds of people in this world: those that think the world is divided into two kinds of people, and those who don't.

[Aprime]

Originally Posted by Robert Ryan

That is why WALMART buys assembled goods in China, a whole lot cheaper and more profitable for them, then buying from a US producer.

And on the long-run they end up shooting themselves in the foot.

How can you sell to a country which has no jobs?

You cannot be solely reliant on services, jeesh.

[Robert Ryan]

And on the long-run they end up shooting themselves in the foot.

How can you sell to a country which has no jobs?

You cannot be solely reliant on services, jeesh.

My reply was toungue in Cheek. Yes that is exactly what will happen

[lam]

Look for more GM Canadian jobs to move to U.S and Mexico , unless the CAW gives GM huge concessions.

[plane]

Originally Posted by lam

Look for more GM Canadian jobs to move to U.S and Mexico , unless the CAW gives GM huge concessions.

It's probably because the new GM cars don't have navigation available.