CAW boss says Canadians feel immediate impact from U.S. Strike

Canadian Auto Workers Union
News Release

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CAW President Buzz Hargrove said GM workers in Canada will be almost immediately affected by the strike by UAW members against General Motors in the United States.
Hargrove said between 80,000 to 100,000 Canadian workers at General Motors, independent parts suppliers, and service companies will be impacted if the strike lasts until the end of this week.

He said UAW (United Auto Workers union) negotiators have worked extremely hard trying to reach agreement with General Motors, including the UAW’s move to extend bargaining almost 10 days. “GM appears intent on making workers and their communities pay for the problems caused by unfair trade and the flood of imports,” said Hargrove.

Next year in Canada in bargaining with GM it will probably be the same approach with the CAW, Hargrove said at a press briefing September 24.

Hargrove said it’s unfortunate the UAW was forced to go on strike in the U.S. and stressed that the two unions are not in competition. “In Canada, we share the same troubles as in the U.S. –unfair trade and the loss of market share to producers in Japan, Korea and the European Union,” said Hargrove. “Here this combines with high Canadian dollar and the Conservative government’s refusal to deal with it appropriately.”

He also indicated that CAW workers will not be handling parts from U.S. GM plants now out on strike.

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