CAW calls for a halt to Korean free trade agreement
14 October 2008
CAW calls for a halt to Korean free trade
UNION PICKETS OUTSIDE BUSINESS OF INCUMBENT CONSERVATI VE MP
Posted By ERICA BAJER, THE DAILY NEWS
Fair trade, not free trade.
That’s the phrase members of Canadian Auto Workers Locals 127 and 1941 chanted Saturday while picketing in front of Van Kesteren Hyundai.
"We’re just letting people know of the damages that could come with a Canada-Korea free trade agreement," said Mike Byrne, vice-president of Local 1941 in Tilbury.
The group handed out flyers denouncing a free trade agreement between the two countries.
According to the handout, the federal government is fast-tracking a free trade agreement with South Korea, which it wants signed and in place this year.
"Regardless of who is in power federally, we cannot afford a free trade agreement with Korea," Byrne said, noting Korea sold 130,000 vehicles in Canada in 2005 and Canada sold 400 vehicles in Korea that same year.
He said CAW members were in front of Van Kesteren Hyundai because they are made in Korea.
"These cars in this lot have zero Canadian components in them," he said.
Aaron DeMeester, president of the Chatham-Kent Labour Council, said the next government must address Canadian content legislation.
"We need Canadian content legislation in all sectors to protect the domestic economy," he said. "We’re about the only country that’s given up that clause in many free trade agreements."
Incumbent Chatham-Kent Essex MP Dave Van Kesteren said the government looks out for Canadian interests when negotiating free trade.
"We’re talking free trade to lots of nations," he said. "It’s not just Korea." Van Kesteren questioned why CAW members weren’t demonstrating in front of other dealerships with factories outside of Canada including Mazda, Volkswagen, Kia and even General Motors. He said like Hyundai, those manufacturers make some of their vehicles in other countries.
CAW Local 127 president Aaron Neaves said Van Kesteren Hyundai was targeted because it’s run by the family of the incumbent Conservative MP.
"He refuses to acknowledge that there’s a crisis in the manufacturing sector," Neaves said.
The CAW is calling for government action to strengthen the auto industry in Canada through support for investment, skills, infrastructure and the environment.
"Government intervention is the only thing that’s going to help us in manufacturing," Neaves said. "If we don’t get policies in place, we stand to lose more jobs."
Van Kesteren said he has sat down with CAW members to discuss troubles in the auto sector. He invited more discussion and said he plans to keep that invitation open following the election.
