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Agreement Ends CAW Occupation of Johnson Controls Stratford, Ontario Plant

16 April 1999

Agreement Ends CAW Occupation of Johnson Controls Stratford, Ontario Plant

    TORONTO, April 16 /CNW-PRN/ - An agreement was reached today at 5 a.m.
between the Canadian Auto Workers union and Johnson Controls ending a plant
occupation that began nearly 24 hours earlier. The agreement came after a day
of tense discussions with the company while workers occupied the plant,
ceasing all production at the seat cover manufacturing facility.
    Key provisions of the agreement include the immediate rescinding of the
recently issued 57 permanent layoff notices and the recall of those workers.
    The Stratford plant will remain the primary supplier of seat covers for
Chrysler's Bramalea, Ontario facility, a key concern after the company
announced the transfer of work to Mexico, which provoked the occupation.
    The agreement also includes a formula that ensures for every 100 people
who retire or leave the plant 75 laid off CAW members will be recalled.
    At the start of the occupation the Stratford plant employed 600 workers of
which 250 were on layoff. Eighty per cent of the workforce are women.
    Susan Danner, president of CAW Local 1325, said it was the ``solidarity of
the membership, the CAW national, CAW locals, and others unions including
CUPE, CEP, Steelworkers and teachers that helped us build a more secure
future.''
    Hemi Mitic, assistant to CAW president Buzz Hargrove, said the agreement
is a victory for these workers. ``This proves that fighting back makes a
difference when workers are struggling to build a better future for
themselves, their families and communities,'' Mitic said.
    Production of seat covers is expected to resume today.