Attention News Editors:
CEP Press Release
CEP to Ford: let's talk!
OAKVILLE, Sept. 26 /CNW Telbec/ - The Ontario head of the Union
representing 16 striking Powerhouse and Water Treatment Operators at the Ford
Motor Company's Oakville assembly plant says there is only one way for the
company to resume normal production - start negotiating.
"Ford thinks they can push our people around just because we're small in
numbers," said Cec Makowski, Ontario Region Vice-President of the
Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada.
"But our members at Ford are not alone - they have the backing of all
150,000 CEP members from coast to coast -- and the sooner the company realizes
that, the sooner we can start working towards a solution to this strike," Mr.
Makowski said.
CEP national representative Zoran Grgar said the company has failed to
address the key issues of job security and pension funding in negotiation and
mediation talks which have taken place since the workers' last collective
agreement expired in November of 2005. CEP Local 2003 members struck at
12:01 a.m. Monday.
"We have told Ford that, in our view, the way to build a secure future
for our members and their families is to invest in a co-generation plant in
Oakville. It makes sense economically and environmentally," Mr. Grgar said.
Both union officials called upon Ford to return to the bargaining table
and address the key issues.
For further information: Zoran Grgar at (647) 219-1970 or Cec Makowski
at (905) 371-6297
