Media Advisory - Auto Industry Vital to Brampton's Economy, says New CAW Analysis

BRAMPTON, ON, April 23, 2012 /CNW/ - The auto industry is an important part of the Brampton economy, says a new analysis by the CAW. In 2011 alone the industry produced vehicles and parts worth $22 billion in the GTA (or $61 million per day).

The analysis of the auto industry in Brampton (as part of the Greater Toronto metropolitan area) is being released as part of the "Re-think the Economy, Re-think Canada's Auto Industry" campaign, launched on April 16.

"Keeping Brampton's auto industry vibrant and maintaining the good jobs it creates will require a new set of policy ideas and a new approach, and that's the foundation of this campaign," said CAW Local 1285 President Leon Rideout.

"Over the last five years the Greater Toronto Area has lost a stunning 76,000 good manufacturing jobs, or 1 out of 5," Rideout said. "That includes local jobs lost here in Brampton from major layoffs and the closure of local facilities like Dana, SKD Automotive, Simmons, Eberspacher, Allied Systems and others. Our communities cannot afford to lose any more."

This evening in Brampton, the CAW will be hosting a forum on auto jobs and the community, the fourth in a series of eight meetings.

What:  Community Forum
When: April 23 at 7:00 p.m.
Where: CAW Local 1285 Hall, 23 Regan Road, Brampton, Ontario

Some key information about the auto industry in the Greater Toronto Area:

• The Greater Toronto Area is home to four assembly plants (including Chrysler's Bramalea plant), more than 200 auto parts facilities and the nation's largest concentration of auto jobs;
• The auto industry directly employs 39,500 people in the GTA. Thousands more jobs are created to supply the industry: jobs in steel, plastics and other manufacturing and services. More jobs are created by the spending power of auto workers' paycheques;
• Auto workers' paycheques pumped $2.1 billion into the GTA economy in 2011 (or $5.8 million per day).
• The major original equipment manufacturing jobs in the region stimulate an estimated 95,000 additional jobs throughout the economy.
• In 2011, GTA auto workers paid $569 million in income, payroll and sales tax (or $1.6 million per day), funds which support vital public services like health care, education, employment insurance, public pensions and social services.
• Auto worker's fundraising efforts also directly support community organizations such as the United Way, women's shelters and food banks.

For more information on the campaign or to read the entire analysis, please visit: www.rethinktheeconomy.ca  (click resources for fact sheets)

contact CAW Communications: Angelo DiCaro [phone]