TODAY: CAW Takes Auto Policy Proposals to Parliament Hill

OTTAWA, June 5, 2012 /CNW/ - The CAW will be meeting with members of all three major political parties today Tuesday, June 5, to discuss how to strengthen the country's auto industry, building on 10 comprehensive proposals by the union put forth in the Re-think Auto campaign.

The meetings take place in the shadow of the June 1 announcement by General Motors to close its consolidated line in Oshawa - causing the loss of 2,000 direct jobs and thousands more indirect jobs. The CAW has renewed its call for the government to use its equity stake in the company to ensure continued investment in Canadian facilities and jobs.

The CAW delegation will include CAW National President Ken Lewenza, CAW Economist Jim Stanford, Membership Mobilization and Political Action Director Jenny Ahn and the three chairs of the CAW master bargaining committees: CAW Local 222 President Chris Buckley (General Motors), CAW Local 707 President Gary Beck (Ford) and CAW Local 444 President Dino Chiodo (Chrysler).

The June 5 meetings are as follows:

9:00 a.m. - NDP Finance Critic Peggy Nash, NDP Trade Critic Don Davies, and several other MPs
11:00 a.m. - Meeting with Liberal Party Leader Bob Rae and Liberal Industry Critic Frank Valeri
12:00 p.m. - Meeting with Conservative Auto Caucus MPs, chaired by MP Ben Lobb, including Minister of Labour Lisa Raitt and other MPs

Media availability:

Today - June 5 at 1:15 p.m. 
La Promenade - outside
151 Sparks Street, Ottawa, ON

The CAW launched its Re-think the Economy, Re-think Canada's Auto Industry campaign on April 16. The campaign policy proposals include developing a transparent and consistent auto investment policy, building a green industry, negotiating Canadian manufacturing footprint commitments, in addition to a number of other measures.

See the entire list of proposals at: http://www.rethinktheeconomy.ca/resources

please contact CAW Communications Shannon Devine (cell) 416-302-1699 or John McClyment (cell) 416-315-3202