GM recalls workers, Chrysler's Windsor plant back to full time
Thanks in large part to the success of the American "cash for clunkers" program, which gives car buyers rebates when they trade in their old vehicles, Canadian auto manufacturers are ramping up production, giving workers more hours and calling some back from layoffs.
General Motors will call back 350 laid-off workers to the company's joint-venture CAMI plant in Ingersoll, Ont., reinstituting a third shift to meet increased demand for the Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain sport utility vehicles.
At the Oshawa, Ont., GM plant, the Chevrolet Camaro line has been running on overtime every Saturday since June to keep up with the backlog of orders for the muscle car. The overtime will continue until the end of October.
The Chrysler plant in Windsor, Ont., is ready to begin producing minivans for the European market as soon as they're given the go-ahead, said Canadian Auto Workers president Ken Lewenza.
Lewenza says the new vehicle won't result in any laid off workers being hired back, but increased demand means the three shifts at the plant will go back to working full time starting next week.
But Lewenza, and others in the industry, worry demand will drop off once the "cash for clunkers" program ends.
