CAW on Strike at Lear Whitby

WHITBY, ON, Oct. 28, 2012 /CNW/ - The CAW is on strike at Lear Whitby as of midnight tonight, after negotiations broke down late at night between the two sides over demands for deep concessions.

Picket lines have been set up at the facility, located at 2001 Forbes St. in Whitby.

CAW Local 222, representing the 400 Lear Whitby workers, took a strike vote last week, receiving a strike mandate of 97 per cent, to exercise if necessary.

The strike comes on the heels of another strike at auto parts company Wescast, in Strathroy Ontario which began Saturday morning. The strike at Wescast is the result of a sourcing decision by General Motors which would see the current work performed at the facility go to China, as opposed to staying in Canada.

Negotiations began in early August, but were suspended on account of the contract talks with the Detroit Three. Talks between the CAW and Lear Whitby resumed earlier this month.

SOURCE: Canadian Auto Workers Union (CAW)

please contact CAW Assistant to the President Jerry Dias (cell) 416-315-1576; CAW Local 222 President Chris Buckley (cell) 905-449-3112; or CAW National Representative Jim Mitchell (cell) 905-441-4546