fastime

http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianp...D7FCpnEunTCc4gg CAW emphasizes importance of new Ford contract as negotiations resume By Kristine Owram (CP) – 7 hours ago TORONTO — As talks with Ford Canada resume, the Canadian Auto Workers union wants its members to reflect on possible cost concessions in a new deal with the carmaker, even if Ford's U.S. parent turns a profit when it reports third-quarter results this week. Analysts from JP Morgan said last week the automaker - the only one of the so-called Detroit Three to avoid filing for bankruptcy protection earlier this year - could find itself in the black for the July to September quarter thanks to a gain in North American market share. But CAW president Ken Lewenza said this doesn't negate the need for a new labour contract in Canada that will cut costs for the company. The two sides will return to the bargaining table Monday after earlier rounds made no progress. Ford says it needs workers to give it the same concessions they gave competitors General Motors and Chrysler earlier this year in order to stay competitive. In exchange, the union is asking for a guarantee the company will maintain current production levels in Canada. "When Ford Motor Co. (NYSE:F) looks like they're starting to turn a profit, then workers themselves ask, 'Why are sacrifices necessary?"' Lewenza said. "But Ford in terms of cost structure is at a disadvantage today based on what we did at GM and Chrysler." That said, Lewenza said he's "frustrated" at Ford's refusal to date to make any promises regarding production or jobs at its Canadian plants. "We've had lots of bargaining sessions, lots of exchanging of information, and the job quite frankly should be done by now and it isn't," he said. "It's really all about future investment and future security of Ford workers in Canada, but we haven't been able to get it done." Since the CAW and Ford broke off official talks, the United Auto Workers in the U.S. have reached their own agreement with the company which includes a six-year ban striking over wages or benefits and a wage freeze for new hires. In exchange, the company has promised a US$1,000 one-time bonus and has made some production commitments. However, many UAW workers are angry about the no-strike clause and it is by no means assured that the contract will be ratified by the union's membership, who will vote on it throughout the week. "It's going to be a very tough vote, and that would change things for the CAW if the UAW membership voted down those concessions. That would help the CAW a lot," said Tony Faria, co-director of the automotive research centre at the University of Windsor. The main issue in the ongoing negotiations on this side of the border is the future of an assembly plant in St. Thomas, Ont. Currently, the 1,600-employee plant builds the Ford Crown Victoria, the Lincoln Town Car and the Mercury Grand Marquis - all full-sized cars, demand for which is limited to niche markets. The Crown Victoria is only included in sales of fleets, such as those run by police departments and taxi companies. Ford has said repeatedly that it has no plans to manufacture vehicles in St. Thomas beyond 2011. Lewenza has suggested Ford could increase production at its other Canadian plants to offset the closure of St. Thomas, but Ford won't release any details on its plans. "We've asked them to take a look at where existing work is being sourced and see if there's a possibility to source more work into our workplaces and those are the options we're going to have to talk about (this) week, but to be honest we haven't made much headway," Lewenza said. Ford spokeswoman Lauren More said the company doesn't discuss future production or product plans for competitive reasons. She would only say the company is looking forward to "working with the CAW to find additional cost savings in order to ensure the competitiveness of our manufacturing operations in Canada." Faria said there may be ways to increase production at Ford's two engine plants in the Windsor, Ont., area. "I think in terms of getting a commitment from Ford for some future investment and future jobs, I think their engine facilities in Windsor are a better bet. Ford is always going to need engines, power trains and transmissions for their vehicles," he said. According to the CAW's own data, which is supported by independent data from industry adviser AutomotiveCompass, Ford intends to slash its Canadian manufacturing presence from 13 per cent to eight per cent of total North American production by 2013. CAW economist Jim Stanford has said the company's plans for its southern Ontario operations include closing the St. Thomas plant by 2011, permanently shrinking production in Oakville from three shifts to two, and cutting back the workforce at an engine plant in Windsor. The union has accused Ford of asking for the same concessions given to General Motors and Chrysler in negotiations earlier this year, without being willing to make the same promises in return. Chrysler committed to maintaining 20 per cent of its assembly operations in Canada, while GM promised to keep 18 per cent of its operations here. Ford employs about 7,000 hourly workers in Canada and more than 70,000 in North America. Its North American workforce has shrunk by more than 40 per cent since late 2006, when it employed more than 112,000 workers.

Now if only we could keep the Americans and the Mexicans from working for lower wages we'd be all set. :shades:

I really hate to tell you this but Canada's autoworkers make a lot more per hour then you guys .. and I REFUSE to take a pay cut .. cut my pay and I am out the door with what ever little they are offering me .. hell I'll get them to fire me if thats what I have to do.

I dare you assholes to try some of the crap you are laying on us in India or Pakistan .. and film it cause I wanna watch...

Your Kidding me right? Ford already said they weren't interested .. go away scum bag.

We used to build the F150 and the Lightning in Oakville along with the Windstar / Freestar and 2 shifts of overtime at STAP building the Panther .

the reason the Golf sells so well is because it's Diesel .. if Ford can get the power and economy of the VW Golf Diesel for less money then they might have a chance ... http://carzette.com/vw-tdi/vw-overwhelmed-...sel-sportwagen/

probably just another rumour to add to the already 300 possibilitys .

No Commitment No Consessions VOTE NO

Do any of these people you are hiring KNOW how to build a car ?

You , should really try thinking before you speak.

make up some t shirts and I will buy 5.... 1 for everyday at work...

wow your weather there must be cooler than here or you are in a better insulated building .. I have been here for 10 years and can remember a couple of guys expiring back on the frame line in the heat...

ummm not when theres a building involved....

well if its a supplier issue and the supplier supplies more than one plant ....

Why isn't everyone else down ?

Near Stap the houses are $120,000 and up .. near Oakville .. minimum $250,000 ..

This can be simplified. If I have a job working for a company with 10 employees that is struggling and really need this job but 2 blocks away there is another company with 10 employees that competes with my company making the same type of product (but runs on Diesel with twice the mileage , costs less than a 10th of my companys product because its used and I can't afford 2 brand new cars from the company I work for) who should I support?

Yeah like the Focus Diesel you promised us ...

so what about the guy who can only afford to buy 1 brand new car ? are you saying he is a socialist or spy because he only has 1 new Ford ? maybe driving that Ford to work isn't what he wants to do because of things like getting his back bumper of his brand new Mach 1 scratched while he is working or the door dents he got while he was in the plant all day .. even after showing $40,000 worth of support in the parking lot ?

So I bought a brand new Escape for my wife and kids to drive around and have parked in my laneway and for my wife to drive her clients around in and I drive my POS tremclad VW diesel to work because the the plant is 100 miles away and you are going to take my living away because I didn't take the Escape to work for you to smash with your door because you are an inconsiderate fuck ?

Come on guys ..

Canada 12x18" cotton on 30" natural wood 3/8" stapled on a spear tip dowel $36.00 per dz $144 for one gross (144 flags) Quantities limited to stock on hand. This is an unusual find. MADE IN USA. Canadian flags made in USA ...

You don't really believe thats what he is saying ... do you ? Protectionism is the economic policy of restraining trade between nations, through methods such as tariffs on imported goods, restrictive quotas, and a variety of other restrictive government regulations designed to discourage imports, and prevent foreign take-over of local markets and companies. This policy is closely aligned with anti-globalization, and contrasts with free trade, where government barriers to trade are kept to a minimum. The term is mostly used in the context of economics, where protectionism refers to policies or doctrines which "protect" businesses and workers within a country by restricting or regulating trade with foreign nations. So .. what he is saying is put tariffs on all the Kia's , Hyundi's , Suzuki's and so forth , so they don't continue eroding our economy .. our meaning Canada and the United States .. But what I really think you are trying to do is stir shit ..

Wheres that buyout ?... I have the sudden urge to take what I can get and run like hell....