GM Wins Friends and Influences People: Sues CAW for $1.5m

Edward Niedermeyer
by Edward Niedermeyer

Last time we checked in on the Oshawa closure debacle, a GM spokesperson was calling the CAW blockade "understandable." After nearly a week of being barred from Oshawa by angry CAW workers, GM has lost its sense of empathy. The General is asking for a court injunction to end the protest. The Detroit News also reports that although CAW understands why GM wants their 250-car blockade of Oshawa removed, The General's request for $1.5m in damages from the Union comes as a bit of a surprise. Neither side likes the other, and both feel betrayed, so why is GM trying to squeeze an extra million bucks or so out of the situation? GM has said the blockade caused it to lose some production. With cash burning and nothing to gain in Oshawa, well, why not get that back from the union? For CAW, this is just more insult on top of losing the Oshawa plant. In short, this is the desperate squabbling with the short-sighted over the few remaining scraps of a once-healthy relationship. Cheery stuff.

Edward Niedermeyer
Edward Niedermeyer

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  • Rev0lver Rev0lver on Jun 12, 2008

    menno: Unfortunately the police inaction is typical here in Canada. In instances of illegal peaceful (or even semi peaceful) protests the cops don't do shit. The Ipperwash crisis pretty much stopped all police action in these cases. Ipperwash I know that aboriginal issues are different, but similarities still exist.

  • Menno Menno on Jun 12, 2008

    I'm afraid the UAW (I know, I know this is CAW but they were once one and the same) lost me when I learned that the UAW HQ management refused to "allow" their cleaning staff to unionize. After that, I knew what kind of people they were and I pretty well have written them off as (insert unmentionable commentary not fit for a family publication online commentary here, use your imagination, people!) Heh.

  • AGR AGR on Jun 12, 2008

    It would seem that the population of Oshawa and Durham Region is siding with the CAW...its not in the best interest of Durham Regional Police to side with GM in this instance. Durham Region has been a strong supporter of GM for years, and GM made its presence felt in Durham Region for many years. Durham Regional Police needs to support of the population especially in Oshawa. An article from today's The Star... Click

  • Menno Menno on Jun 12, 2008

    I just read the article in The Star and I'm totally unimpressed. Remind me not to bother ever buying a vacation home in Canada. Property rights apparently mean nothing in your fair country. I'd actually considered doing so, but naw. Not now. Not ever. Besides which I'm a Christian and apparently, folks like me are unwelcome in your nation. Certainly, it would appear that you don't have freedom of speech in your once-fair nation any more. At least, that appears to be the case for Christians, anyway. But as Pastor Neimiller said "first they came for... and when they came for me nobody was left to stand up for me..." so you'd best watch your rights if mine are "disappeared" for the sake of PCness. Yours are next. http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=66704 So while I've already planned a big expensive vacation in Alberta in July, I don't think I'll be coming back after that. Maybe Belize vacations are in order, in future. Besides, they apparently have prettier beaches and I already live on the great lakes so can enjoy the beaches in Michigan and not travel far. But the rot isn't just in Canada. It's in the USA too. So my planned vacation next year to Colorado? No way. Fugedaboudit. Why would I spend money there after reading this?! http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=66829 Just as folks with a worldling lifestyle and viewpoint have a right to not spend money where they disagree with another's opinion, SO DO I.

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