Corporate responsibility is dead at GM
Re GM rejects union’s plan to keep plant open, Jan. 9 General Motor’s arrogant decision to not even consider alternatives put forth by Unifor president Jerry Dias to extend the life of its Oshawa assembly plant represents stark confirmation of GM’s view that greed is good and that the only constituents who count are shareholders. Sadly, GM, like many global corporations these days, views corporate social responsibility as a quaint notion. Barry Francis, Toronto So GM, to protect its corporate self interest, intends to turn its back on Oshawa. Remember Ontarians, this is the same GM that in 2009 came hat in hand to Canadian and Ontario taxpayers for massive bailout loans.
In order to protect my self interest, I call on all Canadians to boycott GM products. Choose a vehicle that is made in Canada. Honda, Toyota, Chrysler and Ford all have major manufacturing plants in Ontario. That is where my business will be going. Sorry, GM, if you want to build in Mexico, then I suggest you make sure your Mexican workers earn enough to buy your products. You will not be in my driveway. Steve Morse, Cookstown, Ont. Untold hardship faces thousands of Durham Region and other area residents with GM’s decision to close the plant for good in December.
GM’s offer to ease the suffering is to ensure laid-off workers can benefit from up to 5,000 job opportunities identified by other GTA businesses.
What jobs? For the most part, and to the delight of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business and their allies in the Chamber of Commerce, business can take advantage of a pool of skilled workers soon to be available at $14 an hour.
The union’s economic impact study, ignored by GM, predicts that many more jobs than the 2,500 direct jobs will vanish in the Durham area as a result of this closure.
Do the workers have the option of working for minimum wage?
Some might, but the majority will be faced with the decision to either work at a $14 an hour job or lose the unemployment benefits that they have paid for while at work.
Don’t you just love it when a good plan comes together. Way to go Premier Ford. Gordon F. Wilson, Port Rowan, Ont.