CAW workers at CAMI joint-venture plant agree to contract concessions, production guaranteed through ‘12
09/22/2009, 9:29 AM
By Drew Johnson
Canadian Auto Workers union members at General Motors and Suzuki’s joint-venture CAMI plant in Ingersoll, Ontario have approved a plan to cut wages and benefits in order to ensure production for the next three years.
Passed by a wide margin of CAMI’s 2,250 CAW workers, the plan will mirror concession made with other unions prior to GM’s bankruptcy filing. In return, GM has guaranteed production at the CAMI plant for the next three years.
“Our workers recognized the importance of long-term stability, and although no one wanted these contract changes, I believe stability is what we achieved with this new agreement,” said Mike Van Boekel, the CAW’s chair for the CAMI plant.
Following the blueprints of previous contract negotiations, the new deal will freeze wages and benefits, and will also bring base wages in line with GM’s companywide base. The agreement will also shift some health care responsibilities to the union, according to Automotive News.
The CAMI plant currently builds the Chevrolet Equinox and the GMC Terrain. The plant also produces the Suzuki XL7, but production of the slow-selling SUV was suspended in May. Suzuki says it is committed to the CAMI plant but hasn’t announced a timeframe for production to restart. Suzuki’s U.S. sales are down more than 55 percent this year.
09/22, 11:28 AM
posted by:
Sector_15504
Atleast Canadians know how to compromise to keep their jobs and to help an auto company heal. Unlike their American counter parts….
09/22, 11:49 AM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
That’s because our kid’s hockey equipment isn’t cheap but if you’re patient there’s inevitably a sale at Canadian Tire.
09/22, 12:34 PM
posted by:
DenverGuy217
With the Equinox flying off the dealer lots and production increases on the horizon, CAMI folks should be happy campers for quite some time
09/22, 12:36 PM
posted by:
armstealer
VW is not going to put up with a GM joint venture, come on now…
…at least not until they buy it from Obama anyway.
09/23, 7:15 PM
posted by:
ahnuconun
Wow, look at all the comments! I see this bit of news has struck a nerve… on Novocaine! I’ve spoken with a couple of people who work at CAMI on the assembly line and let me tell you, they ain’t compromising ’cause they want to help GM, and they sure-as-sh*t ain’t happy.