U.S. auto tariff investigation

Presidents_message

Sisters and Brothers,

As many of you have heard, the Trump administration has called for the U.S. Department of Commerce to investigate tariffs or other trade penalties on car and auto-part imports based on Section 232 of the U.S. Trade Expansion Act, a trade provision that allows duties on imports that threaten national security.

It’s clear that Canada’s auto sector is not a threat to America’s security but what remains unclear is the motivation or the actual target of any potential tariffs. It is possible that this is yet another NAFTA bargaining tactic to pressure Canada and Mexico into signing a quick deal. It is also possible that Trump is using Section 232 as a political tool to deliver one of his so-called ‘wins’ in the absence of a new NAFTA prior to the U.S. midterm elections.

The announcement came as a complete surprise, catching international governments, auto manufacturers and the markets off guard. Unifor is in the process of ascertaining possible ramifications of this action.

Unifor has previously proposed a major rethink on North American auto tariffs, which are far weaker than other auto-producing regions around the world.  Rebalancing trade between North America and the world can help manage the disproportionate rise in car imports and the migration of good paying jobs to ever-cheaper labour markets. These are serious issues that need serious thought. Unfortunately, the shotgun approach Trump has taken under Section 232 could cause chaos in the sector and inflict severe collateral damage to both Canadian and American auto workers.

Under Section 232 the U.S. Department of Commerce has approximately 9 months to report its findings to the President who then has 3 months to determine what action, if any, will be taken. This is the same process used to impose steel and aluminum tariffs, which Canada is exempt from until next week’s scheduled expiry date of June 1, 2018.

In addition to the threat of tariffs on steel, aluminum and now potentially auto and auto parts the U.S. has aggressively come after Canada’s softwood lumber and paper industries. The U.S. had also attempted to slap punishing tariffs on aerospace exports. In NAFTA, the U.S. is also demanding greater market access to Canada’s dairy and poultry industries.

Unifor has called on the federal government to take a firm stand against the threat of all unjust tariffs and has made it clear that our union will vigorously oppose any attack on Canadian jobs and workers.

For information on this and other trade-related matters, please be sure to visit unifor.org/NAFTA

 

 

In Solidarity,

Jerry Dias, Unifor national president

Chief Steward Election Results for 416W and 905C

 

Local 1996-O Chief Steward Elections, 416 W, 905 C
2018
Results

 

Nominees For:                                                            Spoiled Total:

Chief Steward 416W:
Nelson DaSilva                    114                                                     2
Colum P. Lynn                     33

 

Chief Steward 905C:
Martin Levay                        50                                                      3
Nabil Nassar                         32
Steve Howe                           15

 

Congratulations to all candidates as well as those members that exercised their democratic right to vote.

 

In Solidarity,

Local 1996-O Election Committee

Chief Steward Election Dates and Times for Royal Windsor and Horner/Arrow

Exercise your DEMOCRATIC RIGHT, come out to vote for your 1996-O Chief Steward for the following locations…

 

Local 1996-O,  Chief Steward Elections to be held for the following common localities:

Tuesday May 22, 2018 for the following common locality, 416 West (Arrow and Horner) and  Wednesday May 23 2018 for the following common locality, 905 Central (Royal Windsor)

Please ensure you exercise your right to vote for your Chief Steward.

Members may vote at your assigned work centre only on your own time prior to start of shift or on lunch break.

PLEASE NOTE STRUCTURED CABLE TECHNICIANS AND PULLERS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO VOTE

Time and Dates:

Arrow & Horner – Tuesday May 22, 2018, from 7:30am – 1:30pm

Royal Windsor – Wednesday May 23 , 2018, from 7:30am – 1:30pm

 

Unifor National Family Day at Canada’s Wonderland

canada-wonderland-bg

Greetings Brothers and Sisters,

 

Please find attached a poster for Unifor Family Day at Canada’s Wonderland on Sunday July 8th, 2018.

Exclusive Unifor National Hour on select rides! Behemoth Area, Lumberjack
Area & Kidzville

Full day at the park (9am – 10pm)

Reduced ticket price includes  ALL YOU CAN EAT Lunch Buffet!

You must click on the link provided here, or on the attached flyer to receive the exclusive Unifor rate.

$41.22 + HST Regular (adult)       $37.22 + HST Junior/Senior
*Please note when you sign- in and book online the 11:30am time reflects when lunch begins*

www.canadaswonderland.com/unifornationalfamilyday

Username: cw-unifornational     Password: familyday18

UNIFOR NATIONAL – Canada’s Wonderland 2018