This morning’s announcement by GM CEO Rick Wagoner has left CAW branch president Chris Buckley slightly upset to say the least. Buckley, who represents workers at the Oshawa truck plant, which GM plans to close in September of next year, said GM’s decision is “nothing short of betrayal.”
In mid-May, the CAW reached a contract deal with the automaker that had workers accept a wage freeze, but keep their jobs. Now, it seems some 2,600 jobs will be lost. During the negotiations, GM promised the Oshawa plant would produce hybrid versions of its GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado pick-up trucks, according to the Automotive News.
“As of today, they’ve pulled that product out from underneath us,” Buckley said. “General Motors is going to produce our truck in Mexico and the United States. That’s absolutely disgusting and [I] absolutely feel betrayed today.”
Buckley said the CAW will try to convince GM to reverse the decision, adding GM’s negotiations back in May were in bad faith.
