Autoworkers end factory occupation in Windsor, Ontario

[Hannah Bell]

Workers at two Windsor, Ontario, auto parts factories accepted a Canadian Auto Workers-brokered deal with Chrysler LLC, ending their factory occupation of Aradco and Aramco, Chrysler suppliers. Chrysler will pay the workers $400,000 (Canadian) which will be divided among the 90 workers—or about $5,000 a head. The result was double the amount offered by Chrysler Monday, which the CAW told workers was the best they could get.

Workers had occupied the plants in response to a closure announcement by parent company Catalina Precision Products, which stopped production last week after Chrysler pulled its contracts to the company, which stamps parts for the Detroit automaker's cars. Catalina refused to pay the workers their severance, vacation pay, and other benefits. When Chrysler won a court order assigning it control over parts and equipment within the plants, workers responded with picketing and ultimately the occupations.

The occupation, initially carried out by about a dozen workers, soon drew hundreds, who protected the occupying workers inside from police arrest. About 500 workers, including from the nearby Chrysler minivan plant, joined the rally. Chrysler is threatening its entire Canadian workforce with layoff if workers do not accept a 25 percent cut in pay and benefits.

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2009/mar2009/wind-m20.shtml