CAW targets U.S. bank in severance protest
Last Updated: Tuesday, November 24, 2009 | 2:55 PM ET
CBC News
Members of the Canadian Auto Workers gathered in front of the Comerica Bank office building in downtown Detroit Tuesday afternoon to protest the bank's involvement with the owner of two closed auto-parts plants in Windsor.
A protest by former employees of Catalina Precision Products in Detroit, Mich. drew not just workers, but their supporters, too. (Sandy Tymczak/CBC) The CAW says Catalina Precision Products – a client of U.S.-based Comerica Bank – owes 80 workers $2.4 million in severance and vacation pay.
The autoworkers lost their jobs when Catalina shut down the Aradco and Aramco plants in Windsor in March.
The former employees have received $400,000 in severance, but the CAW contends the workers are owed more — and wants workers to receive their money before the bank does.
“We’re saying that this is an international fight back,” said Gerry Farnham, president of Local 195.
“As far as we’re concerned, these workers are being used as pawns in a game by speculators, asset strippers and liquidators.”
The CAW has been monitoring the plants since they were closed to make sure equipment isn't removed and auctioned off.
A meeting between Local 195 representatives and the lawyers for the owner was held last week. The company agreed to temporarily delay auctioning plant equipment, and lawyers said the union will get 48 hours notice if that changes.
Catalina and Comerica officials weren't immediately available for comment.
