Canadian union leader voices optimism in GM strike talks

Journal Record, The (Oklahoma City), Oct 17, 1996

TORONTO (AP) -- For the first time during a two-week strike against General Motors, the leader of the Canadian Auto Workers expressed optimism over chances of a settlement.

"This was a meeting that may let us break the logjam," Buzz Hargrove said Wednesday after a two-hour meeting that included, for the first time during the walkout, General Motors Corp. Chairman Jack Smith Jr.

The strike by 28,510 CAW members has shut down General Motors of Canada Ltd. and has idled 10,187 workers in the United States and Mexico at plants that either rely on Canadian parts or make parts for use in Canada. Hargrove did not elaborate on the talks and no date was announced for the next negotiations. His comments came as he was heading from Toronto to nearby Oshawa, where he planned to meet with about 300 striking workers who were occupying a GM parts plant. Union spokesman Mike Shields said the Oshawa sit-in was aimed at stopping plans by GM to remove equipment from the plant to use elsewhere. He said the strikers would not leave until they are assured the auto parts dies will not be taken away. GM, which employs 5,000 at its Oklahoma City auto production facility, went to court Wednesday to seek an injunction to move 75 dies that would be used to manufacture auto components for a non-GM customer. A hearing on the request was scheduled for Thursday. "These dies are needed because we have commitments to non-GM customers to supply them with parts," said GM spokesman Stew Low. The strike began Oct. 2 and centers on a GM plan to cut costs and its payroll by shifting more work to cheaper outside suppliers. The union, wants GM to match a contract with Chrysler that would protect union jobs even if there is outsourcing or the sale of plants.