GM Canada seeks big cuts to labor costs - source

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUSN1828314620080418

Fri Apr 18, 2008 1:51pm EDT

By John McCrank

TORONTO, April 18 (Reuters) - General Motors of Canada (GM.N: Quote, Profile, Research) will be seeking big changes to labor practices when it starts contract talks with its main union later this year, according to an industry source with access to a company document.

The source, who asked not to be identified, said the automaker is seeking to eliminate what it says is a C$30-an-hour labor cost disadvantage versus non-unionized U.S. plants operated by Japanese-based competitors,

Possible changes include the establishment of a two-tier wage system like that recently introduced in GM's U.S. plants, as well as the use of more temporary workers, less paid time off, and an end to retiree health benefits and cost of living protection for workers and pensioners.

GM Canada did not return calls seeking comment.

The Canadian Auto Workers union, which represents around 15,000 GM Canada workers, has said it will not allow a two-tier wage system like the one the United Auto Workers in the United States agreed to last year, and it would strike if pressed on the issue. Under the two-tier plan, new employees are hired at wages that are about half the regular union rates.

"We've already told General Motors that we don't agree with their numbers, but we're also not going to be pitted against the transplants," CAW President Buzz Hargrove said, referring to the Japanese plants in the United States.

FULL 2 page story at link.

[Purveyor]

1. I wonder who is going to buy GM's $20k+ vehicles when everybody is working for $12 an hr? eom