CAW reaches new deal with Ford

Source: thestar.com

Within hours of a midnight strike deadline, the Canadian Auto Workers reached a tentative agreement Monday with Ford Canada, raising the pressure on General Motors and Chrysler to also settle.

The four-year national agreement, which covers 4,500 Canadian Ford workers, allows the automaker to cut its costs by lowering wages and pension benefits for new hires and giving existing workers lump sum bonuses instead of yearly wage increases.

The company also agreed to create 600 jobs over the life of the contract, giving the 1,200 Ford workers on layoff in Windsor and St. Thomas, Ont. a chance to get back to work if they’re willing to transfer to the plant in Oakville.

“We have unanimously agreed to take an agreement to our members that meets our needs ... and also the needs of the Ford Motor Co.,” Ken Lewenza, national president of the CAW, said at a news conference late Monday afternoon.



Read more: http://www.thestar.com/business/article/1257855--caw-deadline-auto-talks-down-to-the-wire