Hargrove calls Navistar closure decision "callous"

TORONTO, Oct. 17, 2002 - CAW president Buzz Hargrove blasted the decision today by the Navistar Board of Directors to close the Chatham Truck Plant. "This is another callous decision made without regard or respect for long service workers, their families and their communities and it is a slap in the face to the sovereignty of Canada."

"We have another case of Americans making decision in the best interest of Americans and to hell with Canada."

Hargrove said that we have no government automotive policy to govern trade in this important industry for the first time since the 1930s.

Under Canada's Auto Pact, that was destroyed by the WTO decision of February 19, 2001, Navistar would not have been able to sell in Canada, unless they manufacture trucks in Canada.

"I am calling on Prime Minister Jean Chretien and Industry Minister Allan Rock to immediately intervene and to notify the Navistar Board of Directors that they will not be able to sell trucks in our market unless this decision to close is reversed."

Canada has other truck manufacturers such as Paccar in Quebec and Freightliner in St. Thomas, Ontario who are committed to investment and jobs in Canada, not just in selling in our market. Canada can turn over the total market to Paccar and Freightliner, if Navistar won't keep the plant open.

Currently the CAW represents 824 hourly-rated workers and 80 office workers in Chatham with over 830 on indefinite layoff.