Let's Make a Deal: Chrysler, Canadian Auto Workers agree on union concessions

[Manic]

The April 30th deadline to reorganize looms larger by the second, and Chrysler is scrambling to make deals that could theoretically help it stave off a bankruptcy filing next week. For that to happen. Chrysler needs to get concessions from labor unions and lenders that make the financial situation palatable enough for Fiat to step in and make the automaker "financially viable" in the eyes of the President's auto industry task force. To that end, it appears that the contentious situation north of the border between the automaker and the Canadian Auto Workers union has ended in an agreement -- not that the CAW brass sounds particularly happy about it. Follow the jump for the rundown of what the proposed deal entails.


After going through what CAW leader Ken Lewenza called "the most torturous and unfair process imaginable," the union and representatives from Chrysler and Fiat struck a deal that will:


Retain current CAW wages and pension benefits (for now, at least)
Have Chrysler/CAW set up a health care trust modeled after the UAW's VEBA fund. CAW's Lewenza says there's still "work to do" on this and thus no implementation timetable has been set.

End the third shift at Windsor assembly this August
Keep all of Chrysler's Canadian plants open
Concessions by the CAW on benefits include:


Elimination of semi-private hospital room coverage
Elimination of the employee discount on vehicle purchases
Elimination of a $3,500 employee vacation buyout option

Elimination of tuition reimbursement
Increased prescription costs

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/25/lets-make-a-deal-chrysler-canadian-auto-workers-agree-on-unio/

 

[ohiosrt10]

I don't think that plan is going to save them...

 

[tinygiants]

I understand the need to protect workers and to keep there quality of life. But at some point as a worker, you have to look at the bigger picture. Keeping my quality of life may in fact get me laid off. Maybe having a job at a lower (realistic) wage is better than being on the unemployment line? It is a personal decision. I hope I am never forced to make it, but if I am, I know what I would do. I did it once before. I changed to a lower grade when i was laid off in the past. It kept me working.

 

[iraqivet01]

My girlfriend job dropped her pay and benefits 8% a few months ago.
Getting 92% is better then the percentage that unemployment pays out, which is nothing here, (+/- $300 a week)

Who would have ever thought 20 years ago Fiat would be buying out one of our big 3.

 

[iraqivet01]

Employee discount on buying their cars, ya that will save them a bunch:dontknow:
Dodge dealers are doing anything to get the things off their lots. Just glad I'm not in the auto industry or anything that depends on them.

Going to get ugly before it gets better from the looks.

 

[Voodoo]

Fook the CAW, let them sink. let them know there greed is what is going to cost them there job. i am tired of lissening to them bitch when there allready over paid and underworked. fook it! send the jobs to mexico where some one will appreciate a decent paying job...........

 

[ARRESTmeRed04]

Fook the CAW, let them sink. let them know there greed is what is going to cost them there job. i am tired of lissening to them bitch when there allready over paid and underworked. fook it! send the jobs to mexico where some one will appreciate a decent paying job...........

thats how i feel about ALL unions, at one time they may have served a purpose but now they are outta control

 

[ViperJeff]

I ended up taking a 60% pay cut, but with better medical coverage.....

Is it working, maybe not, but I still have my house and food on the table

 

[includemeout]

thats how i feel about ALL unions, at one time they may have served a purpose but now they are outta control

Only 10% (roughly) of the cost of a New automobile is attributed to labor costs ( as stated by the Big 3) Soooooooooooooooooooo I guess they could all take a 50% pay cut and you could save 5% on your next purchase and the Auto Workers could all lose thier homes, doesn't that just make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside???
If not for the Unions setting a Standard for wages everyone would be payed minimum wage. Can you live on$6-7.00 an hour , no benifits and part time pay:dontknow:

So you see the Auto workers have nothing to lose (as it stands now) one way or the other.

I ended up taking a 60% pay cut, but with better medical coverage.....

Is it working, maybe not, but I still have my house and food on the table

Should have had a Union job

 

[ViperJeff]

Should have had a Union job

I didn't know there was a United Cubical Worker Union

Guess I should have paid more attention

 

[includemeout]

I didn't know there was a United Cubical Worker Union

Guess I should have paid more attention

Mail your dues, I collect for them

 

[DrChrysler]

My spouse is CAW, they are voting on the tentative agreement today. They are going from $74 to $55 per hr total costs.

Her paycheck, actually states $34 CDN an hr. That equals $28 US per hr. We are income taxed 42% in Canada. Retail and Goods tax is 16%.

I hope her 36% sacfrice in total compensation saves the company. Kraft dinner tonight... yum!

 

[DrChrysler]

Ratified 90%.

 

[includemeout]

My spouse is CAW, they are voting on the tentative agreement today. They are going from $74 to $55 per hr total costs.

Her paycheck, actually states $34 CDN an hr. That equals $28 US per hr. We are income taxed 42% in Canada. Retail and Goods tax is 16%.

I hope her 36% sacfrice in total compensation saves the company. Kraft dinner tonight... yum!

The whole situation sucks , but, ya wanna trade some Top Romin for some Kraft

 

[Ironhead]

better run out and buy a new pontiac ,,,,its a goner too !