DaimlerChrysler workers vote in favour of cuts

toronto.ctv.ca

DaimlerChrysler vehicles (AP / David Zalubowski)

Unionized workers at DaimlerChrysler's Brampton, Ont. plant agreed to two key requests from the troubled automaker on Sunday to cut shift premiums and outsource janitorial work to keep the facility running.

The decision is a reversal by the Canadian Auto Workers Local 1285 members after the company hinted it would look elsewhere to make investments.

Workers voted to accept the package of changes but their concessions are contingent on DaimlerChrysler making a $700 million investment to build a fifth model at the plant.

Brampton's plant already builds the Chrysler 300 sedan, Dodge Magnum and Charger. It is slated to start producing the Challenger muscle car. The investment will go towards making a new vehicle at the facility, believed to be the new full-sized Chrysler Imperial.

Cutting shift premiums will cost workers about $5,000 each every year. They had received the premium of 48 minutes a shift when the plant moved from two to three shifts a few years ago.

Other changes include 44 janitorial jobs being contracted out and a reorganization of work responsibilities around team concepts, the Toronto Star reported.

Union members voted 78 per cent in favour of the changes, less than three weeks after rejecting the plan.

"It was definitely a hard decision for the membership to make," Ardis Snow, Local 1285 plant chairman told the Star.

"But I think they looked at the company's response to the 'no' vote and felt it was a real threat to their long-term future," Ardis added.