Catherwood LibraryILR School

As the intensity of ongoing contract negotiations with General Motors, Ford and DaimlerChrysler increase in anticipation of the September 17 expiration of current contracts (see WIT for July 16, 2002), the 46,000 members of the Canadian Auto Workers union have voted to give their officers the power to call a strike. The overwhelming margin by which the strike votes passed---97% at General Motors, 95% at Ford Motor and 97% at DaimlerChrysler---are indicative of the resolve of this union which has gone on strike in all but two of its negotiations with the Big Three automakers. The CAW will announce after Labor Day weekend a strike date and the target company with which a deal setting the tone for deals at the remaining two companies will be negotiated, in this the first round of contract talks with the Big Three not being held at the same time as the United Auto Workers? contract talks.