Skilled Trades Association, CAW Local 199 St. Catharines (General Motors Unit) | ||||||
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November 13, 2003 Dear Papa Dez Thank you for your recent letter to Mr. Grimaldi. Your letter has been referred to me for reply. As you are well aware, the Gen III project work is now completed and the employment level of our skilled trades workforce in St. Catharines has been adjusted to reflect our current requirements. It is unfortunate that you have been laid off as a result of those adjustments. However, the competitive nature of the auto industry is more intense than ever and we are faced with making difficult choices in all aspects of the business including as a last measure downward adjustment in the number of employees to provide maintenance services. While I appreciate that it appears to you that it would be preferable to keep you employed as supplemental help, management, taking into account all current business conditions, has made the decision to align skilled trades employment levels with current operating requirements. The best approach to enhance job security for all employees in St. Catharines is to continue our pursuit of producing world-class product. Although there is no guarantee, this strategy, we believe, provides the greatest potential opportunity for the additional work in St. Catharines, which could permit St. Catharines management to recall laid off employees. Given your desire to return to work, you may want to consider completing a preferential hire application for potential openings that may exist at other plant locations. J. K. Cameron Labour relations | ||||||
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