Shorter Work Time

What is it? Finding ways to shorten work time and to more equally share available jobs is a critical part of the solution to high unemployment.

In 1993 bargaining at the Big Three Automakers, the CAW moved towards shorter work time, which created jobs and improved job security, in a variety of ways.

Here's a list:
• SPA week - in 1993 bargaining the CAW negotiated a new mandatory paid week off for workers at the Big Three Automakers. (It's commonly referred to as the SPA week.) It was created by negotiating an additional three days off which are combined with two previously negotiated days to provide a mandatory week off.

• contract provisions to ensure workers take time off the job. At Ford in 1993 mandatory vacations became part of the contract.

• at Chrysler in Windsor a third shift was negotiated at the mini-van plant. Under the contract third shift workers get eight hours pay for 7.5 hours of work.

• week-end worker - at 3M in London the company wanted seven-day a week production. The union negotiated the establishment of a weekend worker shift that gives 40 hours pay for 12 hour shifts on Saturday and Sunday.

• the CAW has negotiated four-day weekends three times a year at Ford and Chrysler. At GM it has negotiated four-day weekends four times a year.

• early retirement incentives that give older workers the chance to retire early with income security.

In total the CAW estimates almost 5,000 jobs were created or saved by 1993 contract provisions to shorten the time workers spend in Big Three plants.

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