[brandonppr]

http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/stories/2008/01/28/daily11.html

A Canadian General Motors Corp. facility served by the company's Tonawanda engine plant is being threatened with unspecified action this fall by a union representing its hourly workers.

According to a Toronto newspaper report, the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) union local representing employees at the Oshawa, Ont., assembly plant complained that GM is not living up to promises made in 2006 to build other models at the plant in addition to the Chevrolet Camaro.

The Toronto Star on Jan. 28 reported that CAW Local 222 threatened to strike unless its complaint was resolved and GM confirms additional products and jobs.

A Jan. 24 statement released by the CAW stated that GM had to commit to its 2006 agreement or "you will not be getting a collective agreement this fall."

The union's contract with GM expires on Sept. 17.

Camaro production begins in February 2009.

It was the Camaro that workers at American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc.'s Buffalo plant had hoped to be assigned work on components to bolster work at the facility.

The loss of that work to a Mexican plant instead eventually led to the December 2007 shut down of American Axle's Buffalo plant and the loss of 1,200 jobs.

 

[Luwinkle]

Unions make **** too expensive, which is another reason why crap moves out of country.

 

[OctaneZ28]

Pfft, so now it's GM's fault for the CAFE requirements? Please.....

 

[brandonppr]

I think they will get more models. Like I said befor G8, G8 ST, and probley the GMC thing and I would doubt they make a Zeta based SUV. It kind sucks for GM because I know they don't want to announce ALL there plans before they happen.

 

[PhoenixDeath27]

" Camaro production begins in February 2009. "
wtf?

 

[OverAnxious]

According to a Toronto newspaper report, the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) union local representing employees at the Oshawa, Ont., assembly plant complained that GM is not living up to promises made in 2006 to build other models at the plant in addition to the Chevrolet Camaro

Mabye the CAW doesn't read the newspaper.

 

[CUONCRS]

" Camaro production begins in February 2009. "
wtf?

Yeah, I was hoping that was a mistake as well. I can't wait longer than I've already planned on waiting.

 

[brandonppr]

Yeah, I was hoping that was a mistake as well. I can't wait longer than I've already planned on waiting.

I wouldn't believe that either.

 

[OverAnxious]

I did see a Chevy advertisement from the NAIAS on TV a couple of days ago. There was a woman Chevy rep (can't remember the name) she also referred to the 2009 Camaro. Seemed strange...

 

[BumbleBee]

The sad thing is, the people who have unions abuse them, while others need a union, can't have them. Those workers those jobs go to outside the country get paid dirt, and there's nothing they can do about it. Why is everything made in China-because it's cheap, and we've seen how well that works.

 

[CUONCRS]

^^^ Well said.

 

[super60]

I guess everyone should fully understand what the statement from both GM and the CAW means. You really need to read between the lines and educate yourself on the agreement that was signed one year ago. In simple terms the union opened their contract and allowed for concessions in order for the Oshawa plant to receive the Camaro along with future products. In GMs defence they never said (at least in public) that additional ZETA RWD products were going to be added in 2009-10. Its was assumed that plant # 1 (Camaro) and plant #2 (Impala) would merge and build flex assembly RWDs. The CAFE requirements ment that GM needed to modify its RWD platform and decided if its worth the investment. In the unions defence they went to its members and allowed the contract to be opened with the thinking that furtue products were going to be slotted for Oshawa.

What we here in Oshawa need is a timeline for (imo) revamped Chevys within the flex system that will allow FWD/AWD. This will allow GM to meet it CAFE fuel requirements for its entire fleet. Lets not rattle the saber and piss off future customers and work out a plan that will benefit both sides. If blood is going to be spilled , then lets make it as little as possible. Too much is riding on us getting the Camaro out and on time. My 2 cents.

And i apologize if my spelling and grammer is off today , as i just got my eyes tested and had eye drops (torture) put in. I can't see a damm thing.

 

[usmc190]

Hope it will all work out for you all up there Super6!

 

[CUONCRS]

I'm not against people forming together to make sure they are treated fairly, but when unions have as much power as they want, and can cripple a manufacturer under leadership that might decide they they can get more, then it gets out of hand.

On the other side, manufacturers are always going to try to squeeze every little penny they can. Cheaper labor means more profits.

However, in this case, for the unions to be mad a GM for not being sure about what cars WILL BE manufactured where IN THE FUTURE, that's a little over the top. GM was just slapped in the face (as well as the other manufacturers), and had to re-work their plans for the future to accommodate that. I'm sure if Canada is a feasible and cost efficient option, then they would consider that. But if it turns out that they can find other options that are cheaper, they will do that.

I personally would prefer that they use Canada, because it has a really good track record for quality and consistency, and the unions there I know are appreciative and are passionate about the cars.

But it all comes down to being a business. I write software, and if one of my clients can find a better application for cheaper, they are going to switch. It's up to me and my company to keep the edge sharp, and the costs down.

 

[brandonppr]

So "if" GM does not come to an agrrement and announce plans for other cars, the CAW could strike and not build the Camaro on time. Correct?

 

[LT16SPEED]

So "if" GM does not come to an agrrement and announce plans for other cars, the CAW could strike and not build the Camaro on time. Correct?

I hate to say it, but I would guess that's a distinct possibility. BAD IDEA, but a possibility.

 

[camarodb]

The other thing to rememebr is that GM did close down a plant bac in '02 when it stopped making the camaro before. so "if" the CAW is leary and wants a answer from GM you can't blame them. Just as back then i am sure the goverment helped out GM with loans and tax breaks to get the buisness there in canada. As for the union well, we dont work for peanuts here in the US. We tend to be hypocrytiocal of others, we want the m ot work cheap so we can get the best price but we dont work cheap do we, we want things like retirement plans, health insurance, and other medical benifits. Well none of that comes cheap but the unions make sure that their memebrs get these things and paid well for working hard and being skilled, so dont know the unions to hard when they are only "our" voice and say and ask for waht we are to affraid to ask but demand.

 

[super60]

I hate to say it, but I would guess that's a distinct possibility. BAD IDEA, but a possibility.

I have to agree , you can never rule out anything. But i can tell you that most of the guys i've talked to are not looking forward to any type of disruption here in Oshawa. The Camaro team have been on layoff from Dec 1/07 till November 08 collecting about 65% pay (Sub & E.I) Some will start to trickle back this month and over the course of the next 6 months most will be called back and start to work on pre-production . Being off for upwards of 10 months only to go out again with no pay is not what they need right now.

I truly hope GM and the CAW can come to an agreement and move forward with new platforms that will accommodate both sides.

 

[usmc190]

I really hope that GM won't let the Camaro be pushed back any. You guys up there are a union plant and deserve benefits and good pay. In return you will give us the best Camaro ever built with a lot of pride. Hopefully things will work out. Why not build more Camaros??? If there won't be a RWD Impala hopefully they will give the G8 to Canada and build more of the three models.