www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, September 19, 2012 · 12 CAW deal with Ford to bring third shift to Oakville By Dana Flavelle TORONTO STAR Within hours of a midnight strike deadline, the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) announced late Monday it had reached a tentative agreement with Ford Canada -- one that would bring a third shift to the Oakville plant. "There's still some work that has to be done at the local level," said CAW national president Ken Lewenza. Ratification meetings will be held this weekend. "We have unanimously agreed to take an agreement to our members that meets our needs... and also the needs of the Ford Motor company," Lewenza said. The union planned to present the Ford agreement to General Motors and Chrysler as the `pattern' for agreements with the other two companies. Lewenza made an emotional appeal to Chrysler and GM asking them to agree to the same deal before the midnight strike deadline. "We've been to hell and back with you," he said, referring to the concessions the union made during 2009 government bailouts of those two companies. "We sucked it up and did things we thought we'd never do." A strike at any one of the companies is still "absolutely" possible, Lewenza said. But it's "the last tool," he said. The union, GM and Chrysler were still "miles" apart, he said. But he said he believed the tentative deal with Ford will move things along at GM and Chrysler. The CAW leader said it's critical all three companies have the same agreement on wages "to make sure one company isn't disadvantaged" relative to non-union competitors such as Toyota and Honda. The tentative agreement runs to 2016 and will create 600 new jobs, the union announced Monday. Ford has also committed to start a new third shift at its Oakville plant and to go ahead with a new global vehicle platform starting in 2014. The tentative deal with Ford contains no increase to base wages, Lewenza said. "That's obviously a disappointment to our members." The union has also suspended the cost-of-living agreement until the final year of the agreement. "We understand the companies can't increase their fixed costs," Lewenza said. Ford workers will get a $3,000 lump sum immediately. In the second, third and fourth year of the deal CAW members will receive a $2,000 lump sum payment. The union was unable to negotiate cost-of-living increases for its retirees. There is no change in the pension plan for its active workers. Lewenza said new hires at Ford start We have for the tenth year in a row been awarded the First Place Diamond Award by the Oakville Beaver in the categories of Incorporation Services, Tax Preparation Services and Business Advisory Services. TEN YEARS IN A ROW BUSINESS OWNERS If You Earn In Excess Of $20,000 Per Year And Are Not Incorporated, You Are Paying Too Much Income Tax. THE FOLLOWING TABLE SHOWS JUST HOW MUCH MONEY YOU CAN SAVE THROUGH INCORPORATION.... INCORPORATION SERVICES Net Income 20,000 40,000 60,000 80,000 Personal Income Tax 3,277 9,319 Corporate Income Tax 3,100 6,200 Income Tax Savings 177 3,119 6,795 10,312 15,617 21,199 27,050 16,095 22,712 31,117 39,799 48,750 9,300 12,400 15,500 18,600 21,700 100,000 120,000 140,000 ...AND THIS IS BEFORE WE ENSURE THAT YOU HAVE CLAIMED EVERY POSSIBLE DEDUCTION THAT IS AVAILABLE TO YOU. WOULDN'T YOU LIKE TO KNOW THAT YOU ARE PAYING THE MINIMUM AMOUNT OF INCOME TAX POSSIBLE? at 60 per cent of the current starting rate and reach the full rate after 10 years of service. The union also said Ford has indicated this arrangement will make it possible for the CAW to compete for future investment in Canada. "We don't believe wages are the problem" in Canada. Wages are only five per cent of the costs of a vehicle, he said. Lewenza said 60 per cent "is a living wage. It's not a good wage." New hires will be required to contribute to the pension plan -- a `hybrid' one similar to that recently achieved at Air Canada, he said. "We don't anticipate anyone will be laid off (at Ford)," he said. There were no discussions with Ford about buying out laid-off workers, Lewenza said. The 30-and-out pension eligibility remains intact, he said. That allows workers with 30 years service to retire on the same terms as before. Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne has reportedly warned the CAW that any work stoppage will harm future investment in Canada. "I understand your position. But you have done very well in Canada," Lewenza said he would tell the Chrysler chief. "It's a damn good deal," Lewenza said of the tentative agreement with Ford. A strike at all three companies could seriously hurt Ontario's already fragile economic recovery. The companies operate major plants in Oakville, Oshawa and Windsor. "That would be the sharpest decline since early 2009 when we were feeling the full effect of the global economic slowdown," said Scotiabank economist Carlos Gomes, who estimates a monthlong strike at all three, plans to curb Ontario's growth rate by 1.4 per cent. The auto industry accounts for a See Ratification page 13 ACT NOW!! LIMITED TIME OFFER GET UP TO CALL THE INCORPORATORS NOW FOR A FREE ASSESSMENT OF YOUR CORPORATE AND PERSONAL INCOME TAX PLANNING SITUATION AT 905-469-8777 ADVISORY COMMITTED TO REDUCING THE INCOME TAXES THAT YOU PAY www.thetaxadvisory.ca THE TAX $ $ $ $ UP TO CARRIER REBATE 1450 + + 3100 *Call for details. * IN ® REBATES turn to the experts sm $ A MONTH O.A.C. 39 FROM UP TO INCORPORATORSTM COMMITTED TO INCORPORATING YOUR COMPANY THE RIGHT WAY THE FIRST TIME www.theincorporators.ca THE ADVISORY COMMITTED TO MAKING YOUR BUSINESS A SUCCESS www.thebusinessadvisory.ca THE BUSINESS AIRE ONE INSTANT REBATE 1000 650 UP TO BEST PRICE GUARANTEED * FURNACE DIAGNOSTIC ONLY $ 00 OPA REBATE THE FORECAST CALLS FOR 49 NORMALLY $99 SERVING SMALL AND HOME BASED BUSINESSES FOR OVER 30 YEARS HEATING & COOLING www.aireone.com · 1-888-827-2665 905-849-4998 905-632-0505 9 Locations To Serve You Better! A+ RATING *See dealer for details