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CAW expects 2013 to be another tough year for unions

Posted By: Newstalk 1010 · 12/29/2012 4:58:00 AM

The head of the Canadian Auto Workers union expects 2013 to be
another tough year for the labour movement across the country.
   
The last year saw big labour take a beating amid a sluggish
economy as manufacturing companies closed and the CAW union was
forced to accept lower starting wages for workers in auto plants.
   
CAW president Ken Lewenza says he hasn't seen companies so
confident about pushing for dramatic concessions from unions in
nearly 40 years.
   
He points out that, in the manufacturing sector, corporations
have made so many demands from unions it's almost unconscionable.
   
Lewenza says that, in addition to cutting wages and benefits,
companies are routinely seeking changes to pension plans and
two-tier wages for new hires.
   
The big labour boss hopes next year's formation of Canada's
largest private sector union through the merger of the CAW and the
Communication, Energy and Paperworkers will strengthen to voice of
workers.
   
Carleton University business professor Ian Lee says workers will
face ever growing pressure because of globalization, a strong
loonie, a slow-growing economy.
   
He also points to competition from neighbouring right to work
states, including Michigan.
   
ROSS MAROWITS
QUEBEC BUSINESS REPORTER
    (The Canadian Press)

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  1. proton posted on 12/29/2012 05:36 AM
    "corporations have made so many demands from unions it's almost unconscionable" he says. Guess they're finally learning from the unions
  2. Dan posted on 12/29/2012 11:59 AM
    And there is a lot they could learn from the unions. I guess they have selective learning skills.
  3. Jack posted on 12/30/2012 10:00 AM
    Maybe 2013 is the year we finally stop letting un-elected union thugs get in the way of our representative government. Maybe it's the year we finally say enough is enough and kick this obsolete, corrupt throwback to the 1920s out of our lives.

    2013, a rough year for unions? Hopefully it's the LAST year for unions.
    1. proton posted on 12/31/2012 11:05 AM
      @Jack more importantly, maybe it's the year our elected officials stop licking the unions' asses with our tax dollars and start acting responsibly.

      I don't blame the unions for trying to negotiate the best deal they can; it's their job. When they see elected officials licking their asses they go for the jugular, the way any animal (and most humans) would when confronted with a weak prey.

      We need effective elected officials to stand up to these tactics, then the union will adapt.

      What these weak, bleeding heart lefty elected officials will never understand is, there's limited money to go around. If you want to help disadvantaged people then you can't keep wasting money and overpaying unions as it leaves less to help the unfortunate.
  4. Ken posted on 01/01/2013 08:17 PM
    Can't wait until the laws force the union leaders (and First Nation Chiefs) to disclose their pay, fees, perks ...and other income to ALL! Talk about idle no more. How about "time to share the billions" already provided by honest, hardworking, non unionized, non social payroll, non government payroll, no job guaranteed Canadians! Might be time for the Average Working Canadian to demand their fair share!
  5. Ray posted on 01/04/2013 03:49 PM
    You guy' s just don't get it. Unions are not the problem here. In fact your wages, time off the job and any benefits you might receive are in large part because of Unions. The attacks on Unionized workers are just the beginning, Unless of course you are an owner of a company that wants to have workers working for minimal pay and rights.

    As for My Union officials wages it is already public knowledge for all Union members and is approved by the members. In my opinion the public has no right to that information or any other Union financing situations. All finances are reported to the membership already. Bill 377 is another attack on Unions.

    This downward spiral will eventually affect hard working non Union workers too!
    1. joe posted on 01/04/2013 04:01 PM
      @Ray I work for a successful company that has been in business since the early 60's. It is a big, well known company that employs thousands. The owner of the company did not and does not want a union in there. He also pays his employees extremely well, with a good benefit package, 3 weeks vacation to start and Christmases off. He pays better than union wages...much better and is a fair and reasonable employer. For years the union was trying to get into this company employinh thug tactics, lying to the employees, going after people they though were the weakest link, it went to court maybe 12 years ago...thge union lost and they tried again a couple of years ago, they would follow people home, stick their foot in the employees door to make them listen they were out and out thugs. My employer spent 4.3 million dollars defending his company against the union getting in and he won, but not without a lot of aggravation and money spent. To him though, the money was well worth it. So, can anyone explain to me why a man who has abuilt a company up from nothing, employs many people and pays and treats them weel be forced to have a union that he doessn't want? For this reason and many more,that is why unions are not respected by a lot of people.
  6. Glenn posted on 01/04/2013 05:17 PM
    To all the union bashers - Unions are horrible things, they have created health and safety standards, medicare, living wages - middle class, pensions, 5 day work weeks. Do you really think that corporations would freely give these conditions to their employees. These were all fought for and won by unions. Corporations are about maximizing profit, just look at China and South East Asia where factories are getting moved to. Workers are paid 28 cents an hour, work 14 hour days, 7 days a week. When the factory catches fire, the plant doors are locked to avoid theft and the workforce dies! All in the name of more profit.
  7. Mike posted on 01/04/2013 10:05 PM
    CAW aka: Canadian Auto Whinners ! It is about time we got rid of Unions as they are the reason this country is in the state it is...they are overpaid underworked lazy bunch of CRY BABIES...just like teachers! DOWN WITH UNIONS..we DO NOT need them anymore...soon there will be no jobs left in Canada because UNIONS forced the companies to China, Mexico etc because companies can no longer afford to pay the ridiculous wages the union whinners think they deserve! PHUCK UNIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!
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