New Agreement at Wescast

New Agreement at Wescast Provides Greater Job SecurityMarch 30, 2010, 8:46 AM EST

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CAW members who work at auto parts maker Wescast Industries in Strathroy, Ontario have voted in favour of a new collective agreement after pushing back company demands for massive wage and pension concessions.

The group of Local 504 members at Wescast had earlier rejected the company offer loaded with concessions and the two sides had returned to the bargaining table. After a week of tough contract negotiations the new agreement was hammered out. Production workers voted 71 per cent and skilled trades 100 per cent in favour.

The new agreement provides improved job security, said Jerry Dias, assistant to the CAW president. "A key principle achieved in this contract is the company's commitment that the plant won't close and existing work won't be moved out during the life of the agreement," Dias said.

"The new agreement maintains wages and pensions," said CAW Local 504 President Randy Smith. "This provides the company with a cost effective agreement that should position us with new business and greater job security," said Smith.

The CAW represents 75 active workers at the plant, located northwest of London, Ontario. The workers produce exhaust manifolds.

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