One Year Agreements

Traditionally the CAW bargains three year agreements.

The agreements have historically provided progress and a measure of income security and stability for corporations.

During the life of the agreement, labour has no legal right to strike in Canada. In the U.S. however, autoworkers have the right to strike during the life of the agreement, over health and safety and national standards such as pace of work. (Labour Relations Act).

Why Change?

Sudden and drastic changes by corporations and by governments mean we may have to move toward one-year agreements.

1. Corporate Restructuring: the accelerated pace of various forms of restructuring - speed-up; outsourcing of bargaining unit work.

2. Political Cut Backs and Changes Affecting Workers either implemented or proposed:

Since 1993:

• UI benefits reduced

• Labour law changes

• Medicare reduced

• Minimum standards on hours of work, overtime

• Drug prices escalate (drug patent act)

• Health and Safety laws eroded

• CPP/QPP under revision

• Workers' Compensation to be gutted

• OAS eroded

Since the 1993 contract these massive changes have been eroding workers' job and income security, directly impacting on their collective agreements, as well as workers' well-being and that of their families.

With the rapid erosion of security through corporate and legislative actions, the CAW is being forced to look at one-year agreements as an alternative to their ongoing insecurities.

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