Say what you will about Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) President, Ken Lewenza, but he has shown a level of astute competence that needs to be acknowledged. This does not mean we have to agree with any or all things promoted by Ken or the CAW. But in the interest of Fair Play, we should give credit where credit is due.
Ken brokered the Chrysler re-negotiations, which gave birth to a new milestone labour agreement. Many believed he was not capable of doing this. I have always believed that Ken is very capable and for some reason undervalued by some industry observers. Read my post of April 27/09.
I have always wondered, why our local newspaper the Windsor Star, does not help Ken when it is in the interest of the Windsor Essex region to do so. It's to bad the Star has such a monopoly on local Windsor Essex news.
The re-negotiated Chrysler agreement will give Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne a chance to implement his audacious plan. Marchionne wants to piece together several failing auto companies. He then plans to reduce overhead, share technology, build at lieast six million units per year and have a company with global reach. Oh yes, in order for Marchionne to do this, he needs tens of billions of dollars from the grateful taxpayers in the United States, Canada and Germany at least.
This past weekend Lewenza did again as he re-negotiated the General Motors - CAW agreement. This will allow G.M. a chance for survival with or without bankruptcy.
Ken has been very astute. He has done what he has had to do. And more importantly he has made sure the CAW is not in the line of political fire and lives to fight another day.
