Ontario NDP automotive critic responds to GM & Unifor deal

QUEEN’S PARK – Niagara Falls NDP MPP Wayne Gates has responded to the announcement of a new deal between GM Canada and Unifor:

“What we’re seeing here is exactly why we need to fight for auto jobs in Ontario, not just give up when things get tough. Not only do the families in Oshawa know that jobs are coming back, but workers in St. Catharines, Windsor, Oakville and Woodstock have job security for the life of the contract. That sustains thousands of families in these communities and the spinoff jobs created from these plants. These victories are why we fight for these jobs even when it looks hard – why we don’t throw in the towel like Ford wanted to.

We’ve been saying this since day one – Canadian workers are the best workers in the world. If you want highly skilled, intelligent and hard-working people then invest in Canada. Working together, we made sure to never let auto issues disappear from the legislature in Ontario. What we’ve done now is expand the auto footprint in Ontario and that helps us ensure St. Catharines and the parts assembly facilities remain open. I want to congratulate all three bargaining committees of Unifor for securing work and investment at Ford, Chrysler and now GM.”