CAW says Chrysler Canada will save 1,200 jobs
WINDSOR, Ontario — Chrysler Canada has canceled plans to end the third shift at its minivan plant in Windsor, Ontario, a decision that will save more than 1,200 jobs, the head of the Canadian Auto Workers union said Friday.
After months of bad news for the Canadian auto industry, Ken Lewenza said the announcement was a good news story for the hard-hit industrial border city in southwestern Ontario.
Windsor has been battered by the auto sector’s restructuring, losing thousands of jobs from earlier streamlining at Chrysler, Ford Canada and General Motors Canada. Next year, GM plans to shut down a transmission plant in the city, cutting another 1,400 jobs.
Chrysler had announced in March that it would end the third shift at the plant, which produces the Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country minivans.
The factory is Chrysler’s only supplier of minivans since the automaker shut down production of the vehicles at two U.S. plants.
Lewenza noted the minivan has remained a winner for Chrysler.
“Outside of all of the bad news, the minivan has been a success story by itself because of its popularity with consumers,” he said.
Chrysler emerged from bankruptcy protection on June 11 under a new partnership with Fiat that will see the companies expand sales of fuel-efficient, small cars in North America.
The restructuring involved billions of dollars in financial aid from the U.S., Canadian and Ontario governments as well as labor, pension and other cost concessions from the United Auto Workers and Canadian Auto Workers unions.
Under the agreement brokered in the days leading up to Chrysler’s bankruptcy filing, Fiat will receive up to a 35 percent stake in the automaker in exchange for sharing the technology Chrysler needs to create smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles.
The United Auto Workers union will get a 55 percent stake that will be used to fund its retiree health care obligations, while the U.S. and Canadian governments will receive a combined 10 percent stake.
Related News
Canadian Auto Workers says Ford won't commit to maintaining production guarantees in CanadaSeptember 11th, 2009 Canadian auto union frustrated with Ford CanadaTORONTO — The Canadian Auto Workers president says he's frustrated at the lack of progress the union has made in labor talks with Ford Canada. Ken Lewenza said Friday the negotiations have stalled because the company is refusing to commit to maintain its production guarantees in Canada.
Ford Canada begins preliminary contract talks with Canadian Auto WorkersSeptember 8th, 2009 Ford Canada begins talks with unionTORONTO — Ford Motor Co.'s Canadian division and the Canadian Auto Workers union began labor talks on Tuesday after the union made substantial concessions to both General Motors and Chrysler earlier this year. Ford asked the CAW to reopen its current labor contract, which doesn't expire until 2011.
CAW says Ford Canada wants same concessions as union gave GM Canada and Chrysler CanadaJuly 7th, 2009 CAW says Ford Canada wants to reach new labor dealTORONTO — The Canadian Auto Workers says Ford Canada has asked the union to match recent concessions reached in labor deals with General Motors Canada and Chrysler Canada so the company can remain competitive. CAW negotiator Mike Vince said Tuesday the union met with Ford management last night and the company outlined why the automaker needs a new contract to remain competitive in its Canadian and U.S operations.
Chrysler to resume operations, recall workers at northern Illinois plantJuly 7th, 2009 Chrysler to resume operations at Ill. plantBELVIDERE, Ill.
Canada's prime minister says they had to help bail out GM, Chrysler to keep jobs in CanadaJune 2nd, 2009 Prime Minister says Canada had to help bail out GMTORONTO — Canada's prime minister said Monday his government doesn't expect to get back the bulk of the billions it is spending to help bail out General Motors but said the country would have lost hundreds of thousands of jobs if it hadn't joined with the U.S. government in aiding General Motors Corp.
Canada's prime minister says they had to bail out GM, Chrysler to keep jobs in CanadaJune 1st, 2009 Prime Minister says Canada had to bail out GMTORONTO — Canada's prime minister said Monday the country would have lost hundreds of thousands of jobs if it hadn't joined with the U.S. government in bailing out General Motors and Chrysler and said the government isn't counting on recouping the money from GM.
Chrysler's Canadian plants close indefinitely while parent company restructuresMay 1st, 2009 Chrysler's Canadian plants halt productionTORONTO — A parts shortage resulting from Chrysler's restructuring under U.S. bankruptcy protection has forced the company's Canadian branch to halt its assembly operations indefinitely, a spokeswoman said Friday.
Canadian workers at Chrysler vote to accept labor concession dealApril 27th, 2009 Canadian workers accept Chrysler dealTORONTO — An overwhelming majority of workers at Chrysler Canada voted to accept a labor concession deal reached between their union and the beleaguered automaker, a union official said Sunday. The deal was approved by 87 percent of those who voted over the weekend.
Canada auto workers say they've reached tentative pact with ChryslerApril 25th, 2009 Canada union: Tentative deal reached with ChryslerTORONTO — Canadian Auto Workers negotiators have reached a tentative new labor deal with Chrysler, a union official said Friday. The deal would save Chrysler about $240 million Canadian ($198 million) a year, CAW President Ken Lewenza said.
Canadian Auto Workers union says it's hopeful a deal with Chrysler CanadaApril 24th, 2009 Canadian union says deal near with ChryslerTORONTO — The Canadian Auto Workers union says it is close to agreement on a deal with Chrysler Canada. CAW spokeswoman Shannon Devine says she is hopeful a deal will be reached late Friday afternoon.
GM, Chrysler vehicle buyers get government warranty in CanadaApril 8th, 2009 TORONTO - Canada Tuesday followed the US in unveiling its own package to back warranties for vehicles sold by the sinking General Motors and Chrysler in a bid to calm buyer fears. The government will spend about $185 million under the warranty plan for the auto sector which is the backbone of the Canadian economy and employees hundreds of thousands of people.
Canada unveils $4 bn interim loan to GM, ChryslerMarch 31st, 2009 TORONTO - Canada Monday announced $4 billion in interim loans to General Motors (GM) and Chrysler as the struggling auto giants undertake government-supervised restructuring plans. Unlike the Obama administration in the US, the Canadian government has, however, stopped short of asking for top-level executive changes.
Chrysler gives ultimatum, threatens to pull out of CanadaMarch 12th, 2009 TORONTO - Chrysler Wednesday threatened to pull out of Canada unless the Canadian government gives it billions of dollars in loans and allows tax concessions and workers take wage cuts. With three plants in Canada, Chrysler is the second largest auto seller in the country after General Motors.
Ford for incentives to owners to scrap old cars to boost salesMarch 10th, 2009 TORONTO - Ford Motor Company has asked the Canadian government to give monetary incentives to people to scrap old cars to boost sales of new vehicles. Incentives for owners of 10-year or older cars to scrap them will boost sales of new cars, and thus save the ailing auto sector, Ford Canada president David Mondragon told a parliamentary sub-committee in Ottawa Monday.
Chrysler cuts 1,200 more jobs at its main Canadian plantMarch 5th, 2009 TORONTO - Auto giant Chrysler cut 1,200 more Canadian jobs Wednesday at its Windsor plant near Detroit amid plunging sales. The auto maker, which is surviving on government loans, said it plans to axe an entire shift of 1,200 workers at the plant from June as demand for its minivans, including Dodge Caravan, shrinks.
Loading ...