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;CAW thanks NDP government for Ford investment Halton region, Ontario and Canada," said O‘Connor, who also gave a tip of the hat to the Canadian Auto Workers union. "With the CAW and their supâ€" m port, this has truly been a team ‘-“ effort for employees, dealers and .:! consumers in Canada," said 2 O‘Connor. BEAVER Friday, Chrysler is the miniâ€"van market leader, a position it has maintained since 1984. Currently, it cops a whopping 43% of miniâ€"van sales, but Ford has 24% with its Villager and Aerostar lines. The addition of Windstar is seen as a major weapon to carve more market share from the Chrysler lead. The Windstar will aim at women and families, two markets research shows are ripe for anew target CAW president Buzz Hargrove applauded the NDP and the federal government for belping pave the way for the Windstar production in Canada. "We need the support of governâ€" ment," he said. " When we asked (the NDP) for help, they said yes. They understand the importance of the auto industry in this country. "There are more people in this corner of the world today than there is in the entire Japanese (auto) industry in this country. Instead of free trade the covernment should Ford has not yet released a purâ€" chase cost, but says the Windstar‘s price will be targeted off the Caravan. The Dodge product is in the $15,000 to $20,000 range. The Windstar goes on sale at Ford dealâ€" erships on March 24th. (Continued from page 1) Jo 10 TV.s including Our Big Screen T.V. ”‘ \3“"3’7@* Ford workers see bright future with Windstar "For every Windstar sold it means $3 to $5 for Oakville," said Mulvale, who attended the gala cerâ€" emony. It has taken several months to bring the facilities on line with the new vehicle‘s production scheme. To achieve the final production model, nearly 150 Windstars were built and tested over a 20â€"month period. â€" The production launch of Ford‘s new Windstar yesterday is of major economic importance to Canada but it‘s also new life to 3,900 Ford workers at the Oakville Assembly Plant. "It‘s going to mean jobs for us for the next 10 years," said Joe Harris, 27, a body shop worker and Ford employee for over eight years. "It‘s good for the economy in Oakville." "Ford has made a tremendous commitment to us and our commuâ€" nity and it‘s made the people employed more confident," she said. "We believe in the Ford product. It‘s security for our people." Body assembler Frank Tirimacco agreed. Oakville Mayor Ann Mulvale said the residential and commercial benefits to Oakville are "obvious", what with 1,100 new jobs at the Oakville plant, including 400 workâ€" ers from out of town Ford plants. With the last Ford Tempo built at the Oakville Assembly Plant in October, 1993, the way was cleared for production of the Windstar. invest in fair trade," said Hargrove. "We‘ve got a good future ahead O *3 | jfeti Super Sunday Pool Tournament Starts 1 p.m. $§ Cash Prizes $§ Coming Soon Feb. 11 The Dues Brothers "Forever Young" Rod Stewart Show The Oakville workers had an even more significant reason to pat themselves on the back. The plant and its employees were awarded Ford‘s prestigious Q1 Award for Quality Excellence, given for excellence in all manufacturing and production categories. The award means Oakville is the last of Ford‘s 19 North American plants to receive the honor. of us, " he said. "Management and the guys really worked together to make it work for all of us." Recording artist "Cold As Ice" Ford employees applaud as Ontario Finance Minister Floyd Laughren and Ford of Canada President Jim O‘Connor drive a ceremonial Windstar off the assembly line. (Photo by Riziero Vertolli) Membership Enguiries 381 Kerr St. â€" 338â€"0091 Yuk Yuks Comedy Club Evening with Sinatra "Teacher‘s Pet" Recording Artist Feb. 12 The Kings /)) Peti said the extra jobs created by Windstar means many outâ€"ofâ€" town Ford workers will keep their jobs, especially those who transâ€" ferred to Oakville from the St. "It means a lot," said Peti, an Oakville resident. "It makes you feel proud about something you‘re buildâ€" ing for the whole world. And it‘s also a kind of security for our communiâ€" ty. s The recognition pleased 12â€"year employee Ivan Peti, an antenna installer on the instrument panel line. "Right now, a lot of them are coming to work from St. Thomas by bus every day," said Peti. "They‘ll probably move here so it will be good for Oakville‘s residential comâ€" munity." Retraining to the new production requirements for the Windstar was easy "because everybody coâ€"operatâ€" ed to make it work," said spot welder Clark Binder, 29. "It‘s bringing jobs into Oakville. It‘s our future." Thomas plant, which is currently operating at only one shift.