Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) President Buzz Hargrove has said his union is willing to strike if the three Detroit-based automakers operating in Canada demand a two-tier wage system in this year’s contract bargaining.

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Hargrove’s remarks were made during a Tuesday media briefing as he prepares for this summer’s contract talks, the Associated Press (AP) reported.


Hargrove said General Motors, Ford and Chrysler had only indicated that they have “got to get cost competitive, get at the cost of the operations.”


The news agency’s report noted that the two-tier system was accepted last year by members of the United Auto Workers union in the US. The UAW agreed with all three Detroit-based automakers to a lower-tier pay and benefits schedule for some new recruits.


The AP report added that talks are scheduled to begin in July while hree-year contracts with CAW members expire on 16 September.

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