Chrysler workers take pay cut

BRAMPTON, Ont. (CP) — Workers at a DaimlerChrysler plant ensured the facility would remain competitive over the next few years when they voted to support two key requests from the automaker, a Canadian Auto Workers spokesman said Sunday.

Bob Chernecki, assistant to CAW president Buzz Hargrove, praised workers for thinking long-term and agreeing to a pay cut of a few thousand dollars in exchange for a $700-million investment by Chrysler which would allow the plant to produce a greater variety of vehicles.

The decision is "a matter of smart bargaining," he said, adding new vehicles would ensure the plant’s competitiveness in a fickle market.

"That’s very important in terms of flexible manufacturing, which every major automaker today is moving to."

The CAW urged its members at the plant northwest of Toronto to agree to allow Chrysler to eliminate shift premiums and outsource janitorial staff.

The elimination of shift premiums will reduce workers’ annual salaries by roughly $5,000.