CAW in Windsor votes to strike

Members of the CAWin Windsorsay they have senta strong message to Detroit automakers.

Local hourly employees are prepared tostrike if they don't get what they consider a fair agreement during the next round of contract talks.

Workers at both Ford and Chryslerfactories in Windsor voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action at separate meetings Sunday.

Ford Local 200 workers voted 97.6 per cent in favour of strikingto back up their contract demands.

Chris Taylor is president of CAW Local 200.

"We would love to get some of the stuff that was conceded in 2009," Taylor said.

The CAW said it made several concessions during the height of the recession.

Chrysler workers, meanwhile,voted 99 per cent in favour of strike action, if necessary.

Dino Chiodo is president of their union local, CAW Local 444.

Chiodo said the employees are seeking a "decent" wage increase and also some sort of job security through new investment in the Windsor Assembly Plant, where Chrysler builds its flagship minivans. More than 4,000 hourly employees represented by the CAW work there.

"Hopefully we can make things happen and avert a strike," Chiodo said.

The current contracts expire on Sept. 17. Negotiations between the CAW and automakers resumeTuesday.

The union's national president Ken Lewenzasaid the focus is to concentrate on a new collective agreement, without a strike.

"I think we can maintain fixed costs at a reasonable level and still compensate our members in some way as a result of their success," Lewenza said.