CAW mulls closing plant to secure Camaro rights

The Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) union will vote this week to transform its two Oshawa plants into one in the hopes to secure the rights to build all GM “Zeta” vehicles in the future. “Zeta” is the code-name for the platform that includes the replacements for the Impala, Monte Carlo, and—if given the green-light-- the wildly popular Camaro concept.

The union feels it has few alternatives. GM plans to close the Oshawa No. 2 plant in 2008 and No. 1 in 2009. Only the fact that the plants did well in quality surveys led the automaker to extend the offer to the CAW.

“It was bargaining with a gun to your head,” said Chris Buckley of CAW local 222 of the Oshawa plants. The union has also recapitulated to GM’s demand to outsource its janitorial services and remove a construction crew that works in-house.

GM could not be reached for comment when the article was written.

[Source: Globe and Mail]