November 10, 2003

The Honourable Christopher Bentley

Minister of Labour,

Dear Mr. Bentley:

I have enclosed a copy of a letter to our local Ministry representative, Ms Gisele Nichols. The communication was prompted by a situation at General Motors that is of some concern not just to myself but to my fellow laid-off tradesmen.

Without being familiar with the workload of the Ministry office, it's difficult to know whether or not Ms Nichols has had time to address this matter but not to bring me up to date. The situation as I related to her has not changed. General Motors continues to cover for the short staff situation THEY have created by working the remaining tradesmen extended shifts, forcing people in on the weekends and transferring tradesmen from engineering and training positions to make up for the shortage. We were told that the reason for the lay-off was a shortage of work. That General Motors is going to these extremes indicates that this was not truly the case.

Would you please look into this on our behalf and let us know how this circumstance can be tolerated

Respectfully yours,

John H.Henderson