CAMI workers ratify a new four-year deal, will head back to work tonight
Posted Oct 16, 2017 01:48:54 PM.
Last Updated Oct 16, 2017 04:30:19 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
With a very strong “yes” vote, the workers at the CAMI plant in Ingersoll have said yes to a new contract, and the weeks-long strike is over.
Speaking to 570NEWS after today’s ratification vote, Unifor Local 88 president, Dan Borthwick, says they did not get CAMI designated as the lead production facility for the Chevy Equinox.
But he says they did get better job security language.
Under the new contract, he says GM would have to pay a $290-million penalty in the event of closing the plant.
That money would pay for retirement allowances, retraining programs, and other services.
GM would also offer CAMI workers preferential hiring at other plants.
The new contract is for four years.
Mike Van Boekel, CAMI unit chairman for Local 88, says employees will receive four per cent wage increases over the four-year deal, a $6,000 signing bonus and annual payments of $2,000 each Christmas.
Almost 86 per cent of production workers, and 79 per cent of tradesworkers approved the new contract.
Borthwick says workers will be back on the job as early as 7:00 this evening to get production ready to resume for a full overnight shift, starting at 11:00.
