With only four days remaining until the end of the current contract between the Canadian Auto Workers’ union (CAW) and the Detroit’s Big Three, the union announced on Wednesday that meetings between the two parties are becoming more frequent, yet they “have not yielded many results”, which is bringing the event of a triple strike even closer.
September 17 has been set as a deadline from CAW. Unless a deal is reached by midnight, then the union members have voted almost unanimously to strike at GM, Ford and Chrysler, all at the same time.
If the union stands by its decision, this will be the first time ever that it all three major US automakers have faced a strike at the same time. It would also mean that their Canadian plants would effectively cease production, disrupting vehicle deliveries.
“All three companies appear to be fixated not merely on cost containment but on deep concessions that would have a lasting and severe impact on our members”, said a leaflet distributed by the CAW its members and the media.
On their part, the carmakers consider Canada the most expensive country in the globe for vehicle manufacturing. Thus, as the CAW revealed earlier this week, they intend to cut wages, change pension plans and eliminate cost-of-living adjustments.
The union also said it hopes that they come to an agreement over the new contract, while at the same time stressing that “collectively, though, we must be ready for any outcome”.
Having made concessions in the previous contract, at which time the US automotive industry was trying to recover, the UAW insists that cuts are unacceptable and it’s time for its members to get their fair share of gains now that the carmakers once again are making profits.
By Andrew Tsaousis
Story References: AutomotiveNews
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