TORonTO – On November 16, CAW Local 504 members voted 98 per cent in favour of a new collective agreement with auto parts maker Wescast Industries. The vote ended a three-week strike at the Strathroy, ontario facility.

The workers, who had been on strike since October 27, reached an agreement that resisted concessions and extended a commitment on the life of the plant for at least another year.

Jerry Dias, assistant to the CAW president, said In addition, the company has agreed to a process that will hopefully transition the plant from iron to stainless steel production.

The unio’s National Representative Jim Woods also lauded other important gains such as an increase in the severance entitlement to 2.4 weeks per year of service for any permanent layoff.

Local 504 President Dave Reston said, The activism of CAW area local unios as well as other unios and community members in providing support to the picket line was critical in maintaining the memberships spirits in Strathroy, as they walked in bitter cold conditions many days.

CAW Local 504 represents 65 workers at Wescast, which produces exhaust manifolds for General Motors. Wescast was recently bought by Chinese manufacturer Bohong for $195 million this past summer, which has led to the changes at the company.