Vote fails to resolve auto dealer situation (updated)

NEWS RELEASES

PROUSE MOTORS

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MACHINISTS AND AEROSPACE WORKERS

**************************** On Friday March 12, Prouse Pontiac Buick GMC Ltd., Highland Ford Sales Ltd. and Superior Dodge Chrysler Ltd., tabled a final offer with the union (The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers and its local lodge 2332).

The union’s bargaining committee refused to allow their membership the opportunity to vote on this offer so the companies sought a Ministry of Labour supervised vote.

The vote was held on Wednesday March 24.

The unionized employees from Prouse Pontiac Buick GMC Ltd voted in favour of the deal but the unionized employees from the other two dealerships did not.

Robert Prouse, president of Prouse Pontiac Buick GMC said he was "extremely happy the vote went our way.”

Prouse also stated that in these turbulent times for the auto industry, it’s important that everyone involved understands the competitive pressures automotive retailers are faced with.

For the sake all concerned, Prouse sincerely hopes that the other two dealerships employees get back to work as soon as possible.

**************************** Ministry vote produces rejection of final offer!

SAULT STE. MARIE - A supervised Ministry of Labour vote Wednesday has failed to resolve a bitter lockout between members of IAMAW Local Lodge 2332 and three automotive dealerships.

“Our members at two of the dealerships, Superior Dodge Chrysler and Highland Ford, rejected the final offer by a wide margin,” explained IAMAW Business Representative Rob Thompson.

Members at the third dealership, Prouse Motors, accepted the offer by a 6-5 vote.

Management at the dealerships requested the supervised vote in an effort to end the lockout which began on December 21, 2009.

The 39 mechanics, paint shop workers, body men, parts department staff, apprentices, general helpers and clerical staff were locked out for refusing to sign a new collective agreement.

“This is not a fair deal for the lower wage earners,” explained Thompson. “General garage workers lose 74 cents per hour in pension contributions in the first year while paint and body shop, parts department and clerical workers receive only a one percent wage increase and a pension increase of five cents an hour in the first year. Management still refuses to discuss a basic dental plan and the probationary language for new hires is from the Stone Age.”

“I’m convinced that if all of the members at Prouse Motors were available for the vote, it would have been rejected,” said Thompson. “The bulk of our membership has held firm and we await a new offer from the employers.”

The IAMAW represents mechanics, paint shop workers, body men, parts department staff, apprentices, general helpers and clerical staff at five auto dealerships in the steel city.

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