CAMI investment shows industry has strong future

TORONTO, Feb. 12, 2015 /CNW/ - General Motors' decision to invest $560 million in its CAMI Automotive plant is further evidence that automakers understand and appreciate the opportunities in this country and that Canada has a strong future in the auto industry.

"Canadian workers have the skill and dedication needed to build the highest-quality vehicles in the world," Unifor National President Jerry Dias said.

"Today's announcement is a reflection of that. General Motors understands the excellent opportunities available to automakers in Canada and is dedicated to keeping a strong presence in this country."

Mike Van Boekel, the Unifor Local 88 unit chair at the Ingersoll, Ontario plant, said the union has worked hard with the company to ensure the plant provides good jobs for the community and continues to produce high-quality vehicles.

"This is an award-winning plant thanks to the hard work and sweat of our members," Van Boekel said.

Workers at the plant have been working six-day weeks to keep up with demand for the popular Equinox and Terrain vehicles made at the plant. Last August, the plant received two J.D. Power Awards in recognition of the quality of their work.

Unifor's last contract with CAMI in 2013 led to more than 400 temporary workers being made permanent. As well, today's announcement comes on the heels of announcements by both Ford and Chrysler new investments and additional hiring – including a $700 million investment and 1,000 new jobs at Ford's Oakville plant, and new production and electrician jobs at Chrysler in Windsor.

"Canada's unionized plants are very appealing to the auto companies, both on the quality of their work and on cost grounds," Dias said. "The string of recent announcements is proof of that."

Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing more than 305,000 workers, including 39,000 in auto assembly plants and parts suppliers. It was formed Labour Day weekend 2013 when the Canadian Auto Workers and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers union merged.

SOURCE Unifor