General Motors of Canada reached a new tentative three-year agreement with the Canadian Auto Workers today that recognizes the contribution of GM's 19,000 hourly employees with wage and benefit increases.
"The agreement we reached addresses many of the issues the CAW raised at the outset of these negotiations and provides the means for GM to build on the success we have achieved in quality and productivity," said Al Green, GM of Canada's vice-president and general director of personnel. "GM is operating in an intensely competitive North American market and reaching an agreement prior to the deadline allows us to continue to build momentum in the market with the award winning vehicles produced in Canada."
"GM of Canada will build on its commitment to Canada and our employees with plans for substantial new capital and technology investments. Investment plans totaling approximately $800 million were confirmed during bargaining for the St Catharines component operations and the Oshawa truck and car plants," said GM of Canada president, Michael Grimaldi.
The St. Catharines components plant has a long history of producing a variety of high quality powertrain and other components. GM confirmed that beginning in 2003 it would create approximately 328 new jobs with future manufacturing and assembly work. GM will also invest in new tooling to manufacture a new transmission gear set for a future transmission model in the 2005/2006 timeframe.
Mr. Grimaldi also confirmed that, beginning in the first quarter of 2004, GM of Canada will produce an all-new full-size truck model at the Oshawa truck plant. The all-new four door crew cab with a short box will compliment the existing four door extended cab currently assembled at the Oshawa truck plant. The addition of this new model will further strengthen GM's industry leading truck line-up with increased capacity in the growing crew cab pick-up truck market.