CAW Ratifies Contract With Chrysler

TORONTO (WWJ/AP) - Members of the Canadian Auto Workers union have approved their deal with Chrysler, with 90 percent of the membership voting yes.

The four-year deal includes a $3,049 (CA$3,000) ratification bonus for workers, as well as cost of living lump sum payments of $2,033 (CA$2,000) for each year of the next three years. It offers protection of current pension benefits for existing workers, as well as job commitments in all locations.

The deal with Chrysler follows the ratification of contracts at Ford and General Motors, which got 82- and 73-percent support, respectively.

Chrysler was the last of the Big Three North American automakers to hammer out a contract, ending the possibility of strikes and that production would move to the United States in the next four years.

The auto companies had said Canada was the most expensive place in the world to make cars and trucks, and warned they could move production south if the CAW didn't cut costs.

Canadian Auto Workers president Ken Lewenza says the union will now focus its attention on trying to get a national auto policy for Canada.