CAMI workers, wrapping up their fourth week on the picketline, won't see the federal government apply any pressure on General Motors or muscle in on talks anytime soon.
The 2,800 members of Unifor Local 88 walked off the job on September 17 in what is widely considered a fight for job security. The union is pushing the automaker for a written commitment that CAMI will be the lead producer of the Chevrolet Equinox crossover utility vehicle. Earlier this year, GM shifted production of the Terrain sport utility vehicle to Mexico, costing hundreds of positions at CAMI.
But as the strike drags on the two sides don't appear any closer to a deal. That has a number of Canadians asking why Ottawa, which used taxpayer money to help keep GM afloat during the recession in 2009, hasn't been more vocal about the labour dispute.
"It would be irresponsible to intervene," said London North Centre MP Peter Fragiskatos. "I know there might be folks out there who are urging the government to get involved. I know colleagues in the NDP have that position. But from my perspective and the federal government's perspective, we need to allow collective bargaining to take place between Unifor and GM."
Fragiskatos declined to comment on whether there is a contingency plan in the works should GM decide to shut down the Ingersoll plant.
London West MP Kate Young. (Photo by Miranda Chant, Blackburn News)
London West MP Kate Young believes, in the end, a deal that will keep production in Canada will be successfully reached.
"We are feeling very confident about how things will work out as far as at the CAMI plant, General Motors, and the automotive sector in Canada," said Young. "The workers here are the best workers in the automotive sector in the world and that is something that we have to constantly underscore because it is so important to make sure people understand that we have the talent and the workers that really get it done."
Fragiskatos and Young made the comments at a $5-million funding announcement at a London automotive parts manufacturer on Friday.
Sodecia London received $3.5-million from the federal government and $1.5-million from the province for a new 200,000 sq ft hot stamping facility in Innovation Park in the city's southeast end. The money will help the company produce lighter, more efficient auto parts and retain 210 jobs while adding another 44 positions.
"Announcements like this are certainly a clear signal to the wider Canadian population about what this government thinks when it comes to manufacturing and the auto parts sector specifically," said Fragiskatos.