Union: GM decision could lead to collapse of auto-parts industry in Canada

November 28, 2018 – The head of the union representing workers at General Motors’ car plant in Oshawa, Ontario has warned the company’s decision could lead to the collapse of the auto parts industry in Canada.

Unifor president Jerry Dias says General Motors “just showed the president of the United States and the prime minister of Canada their middle finger” by moving production out of Canada and the U.S.

Dias told reporters GM is a corporation that plays by its own rules, so the government will have play by very strict rules as well.

Dias met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Parliament Hill yesterday.

He blamed low labour standards in Mexico for the shutdowns in Canada and the U.S., and called on Trudeau to work with President Donald Trump to keep manufacturing jobs from shifting south.

Dias suggested the Liberals should put tariffs on GM exports coming out of Mexico to dissuade the company from following through on its plans to shut the plants.

A General Motors Canada executive said the company isn’t planning to divest itself of its other Canadian enterprises as Dias claimed.

News from © The Canadian Press Enterprises 2018