CAW workers approve new JCI contract

Members of the Canadian Auto Workers union at a Johnson Controls Inc. factory voted 91.3 percent in favor of a new contract over the weekend. The vote averted a strike that could have shut down production of Chrysler minivans at the Windsor, Ontario plant.

The plant in Lakeshore, Ontario makes overhead components for the Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Voyager. It employs 120 CAW workers. About a quarter of those employees are on indefinite layoff.

Job security was the main issue and union members were strongly in favor of a strike if no deal could be reached by the weekend.

The new agreement freezes wages, eliminates cost-of-living adjustments and allows lower pays for new hires. New hires will start at C$9 ($8.52) an hour less than current workers, but will achieve parity in five years. Most employees at the plant make C$24.15 ($22.87) an hour. The new contract does include stronger health care protection and improved job security, which was the main issue. Union members had been strongly in favor of a strike if no deal could be reached by the weekend.

New hires will start at C$9 ($8.50) an hour less than current workers, but will close the gap in five years, Chiodo said. Most employees at the plant make C$24.15 ($22.87) an hour.