Skilled Trades Association, CAW Local 199 St. Catharines (General Motors Unit) | ||||||
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Dear Mr. Bradley: Let me begin by offering my congratulations to you on your re-election and you party's majority standing. Evidently the voters of Ontario found the Conservatives' common sense revolting not revolutionary. At present, I'm a laid-off millwright from General Motors in St. Catharines. Along with about another 47 skilled tradesmen who were recently declared surplus we have formed a Skilled Trades Association. Short term, our focus is to support our laid-off brothers and their families, keep in touch with our union leaders and assist where possible their efforts to lobby General Motors for our return to work. Long term, we hope to see General Motors return to its position as a source of secure employment and career opportunities for the young people of Niagara entering and presently in the work force. Reasonably we do not expect a return the employment level of the 1980's because many of the labour intensive jobs have been automated, out-sourced or shipped off-shore. However I feel that if the unionized workers (our brothers at Auto Workers local 458) at Massey-Ferguson had fought back harder in the 1970's, Brantford might still be able to call itself "the Combine Capital of the World" instead of suffering urban decay while watching local farmers use Massey implements assembled in Turkey. The St. Catharines operation has received many awards for quality, maintenance programs, performance and the fastest ramp-ups for new products. In spite of these sources of pride for General Motors who rewarded us with jackets, watches and other gifts, we were laid off. This is doubly painful for us because as a GM worker it is next to impossible to get a full-time job in the Niagara region as any potential employer knows we will stay only until the 'phone rings and it is GM calling. Not that they could be blamed for being gun-shy after having people just walk out on them in the past. Still, the only alternatives are to stay home, unemployed or to leave the area in search of work. Another reason we feel discouraged about our current situation is this. Despite the stated reason for our lay-offs being a shortage of work, the week immediately following our departure, some of our fellow tradesmen were asked to work extended shifts, forced in on the week-end and in at least one instance to double back to work eight shifts in seven days. This is not just unethical, but downright illegal! Before being laid off, in fact all during my 18 years at GM, we were made aware that we could work no more than 60 hours per week. On occasion, I'm told, people had the extra hours worked charged against the following week when the 60 hour limit was exceeded, as a reminder of this regulation. There is government assistance available to private sector industries to expand, modernize and open new plants provided these in turn create significant new employment opportunities. What we are hoping is that the offer of this assistance to General Motors will give a valid reason for them to consider St. Catharines in their near-future plans. GM has money to spend and such an offer at this time could tip the scales in favour of St. Catharines. This would serve to brighten the outlook for all of Niagara. Hoping to hear from you soon in this regard.
Yours truly, John H. Henderson | ||||||
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