CAW Not Hopeful for Resolution

Leaders of the Canadian Auto Workers, whose strike has shut down all General Motors operations in Canada, were pessimistic Sunday their differences with GM could be resolved by today’s noon deadline.

“I am not very optimistic at all that they’re serious about trying to do this” by today, CAW President Buzz Hargrove said.

Hargrove, during a break in bargaining at a Toronto hotel, said he is still waiting for negotiators for General Motors Canada to come up with a new offer on the contentious issue of outsourcing--farming out work on auto parts to less costly independent suppliers.

The CAW wants the auto maker to follow the example of Chrysler Canada by accepting limits on outsourcing in order to protect union jobs. GM says it needs more flexibility to remain competitive.

Hargrove said that is not the only source of friction. “This is a big system--there are a lot of problems,” he said, citing union demands that GM set up a framework for resolving about 300 outstanding grievances by workers at a truck plant in Oshawa. Overtime and work hours also are subjects of dispute.

The union has said it will pull out of the talks, at least temporarily, if today’s deadline is not met.

The strike against GM began Oct. 2 and involves more than 26,000 Canadian workers.