There was some information in todays Toronto Star that I found interesting. We have heard on this website for a while that once the CAW contract expires, GM may be free to discuss Camaro openly. I don't know if the article is available online, I'm typing the good stuff from the paper:

- The union and the auto makers kick off talks next week aimed at new contracts. The CAW is scheduled to meet with GM of Canada next tuesday. The current contracts expire sept. 20.

- ... While the big three's Canadian operations are generally in good shape, Oshawa's output of Pontiac Grand Prix's and Buick Lacrosses have not excited buyers. Ominously for Oshawa's current lineup, GM design czar Bob Lutz has written off Pontiac as a 'damaged' brand likely destined for the same fate as the discontinued Oldsmobile; and Buick's demographic is so old that the average Buick buyer is purchasing the last car he'll ever own.

- The CAW union vowed yesterday there would be no concessions in upcoming labour talks with the big 3 auto makers, despite the industry's turmoil.



I editted my original post, I had typed sept. 30 by accident

 

I didn't find the same article, but here is another closely related. It states the contract expires Sept. 20.

No concessions, Hargrove vows

SHARDA PRASHAD
BUSINESS REPORTER

The Canadian Auto Workers union vowed yesterday there would be no concessions in upcoming labour talks with the Big Three auto makers, despite the industry's turmoil.

The union and the auto makers kick off talks next week aimed at new contracts.

"If either the companies or government think we will allow our wages, benefits, pensions or working conditions to be gutted as one of the so-called adjustments to the so-called realities of globalization, they're in for one hell of a surprise when we get to the bargaining table," CAW president Buzz Hargrove told members attending the union's bargaining and policy convention at the Sheraton Hotel yesterday.

The CAW is scheduled to meet with General Motors of Canada Ltd. next Tuesday, and with Ford Motor Co. of Canada and DaimlerChrysler Canada July 20 and July 21, respectively. The current contracts, which cover about 39,000 workers, expire Sept. 20.

The influx of vehicles manufactured offshore into the North American market and the high Canadian dollar are two of the main issues the industry faces and which need to be addressed, said Hargrove.

"I want to send a message to corporations: These are problems we can't solve," said Hargrove. "I want to send a message to the government: These are problems we can't solve at the bargaining table. ... I'll be damned if we accept that it's inevitable that the prosperity we fought for decades to achieve for our members, families and retirees should evaporate because of the completely stacked world trading system."

GM Canada spokesman Richard James said it was too early to comment on whether GM would challenge Hargrove's no-concession approach to the negotiations.

"(But) we will look for creative solutions to come to a responsible settlement to both parties," said James, adding GM lost $1.3 billion (U.S.) in its automotive operations in the first quarter of 2005.

Stuart Schorr, spokesperson for DaimlerChrysler, added his company is looking for a "responsible approach" to negotiations, and one that slows the growth in labour costs.

"In general, we'll be sitting with the CAW next week on how to build a competitive future with a sustainable settlement and increases in operational flexibility," said Ford Canada spokesperson Lauren More.

Hargrove told union members that "we don't design the vehicles, we just build them. And we do it well at that. When you look at GM's plants in Oshawa, they're the best-quality vehicles built on the continent. And our productivity is the best of any producer on the continent."

Speaking later to reporters, Hargrove said the strong performance of Canadian operations will be used as a strategy in next week's negotiations.

The CAW doesn't compete with its U.S. counterpart, the United Auto Workers, Hargrove told reporters. Yet he did say health-care costs for U.S. employees cost about $1,500 (U.S.)per vehicle, while in Canada the cost is about $120 per vehicle, because of our health-care system.

"We are a separate country from the U.S. Given (that) the dynamics of the industry in all three companies are much different in Canada than in the U.S., our bargaining has to be based on the contribution our members and our families have made to GM, Ford and Chrysler," Hargrove told reporters. He hasn't yet received country-specific financials, but said Canadian operations are more efficient than those in the United States.

"You don't whip the lead horse. When you have a horse that works hard, you reward them, you don't whip it."

Hargrove said the CAW is not looking at any of the auto makers as a specific strike target.

"Every one of them is a possible strike target," he said. "All three have been giving us the cold shoulder.

"Don't underestimate our determination and don't misread us," said Hargrove. "We're not looking for a strike, we're not looking for a fight, but as always when we go to the bargaining table, we are going to be prepared."

The CAW last struck GM Canada in 1996 for 22 days.

All I can say is that Hargrove is an eloquent man! "You don't whip the lead horse. When you have a horse that works hard, you reward them, you don't whip it." That's great.