Continued from page 12 Ratification meetings to be held this weekend "Chrysler's goal in these negotiations is to develop an agreement conducive to long-term job security in Canada and we will continue to work with the CAW to get there," the statement said. All three auto makers have said they need to lower their costs in Canada to remain competitive with other jurisdictions, but it would be more crucial for Chrysler than Ford, which maintains much less global production here. Canada still accounts for nearly 25 per cent of Chrysler's global output, while it represents just five to six per cent of Ford's production. Canadian auto workers make $34 an hour on average, or roughly $6 an hour more than their counterparts in the U.S., a wage gap that wasn't quite as severe when the Canadian dollar was trading well below the U.S. dollar. When pensions and benefits are taken into account, the wage can vary from $2-$10 depending on the automaker. The CAW says its members should share in gains the companies have made since the union agreed to concessions during the financial crisis of 2008-09. The automakers entered the bargaining round seeking a permanent wage reduction for new hires, similar to a deal the companies reached in the U.S. 13 · Wednesday, September 19, 2012 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com quarter of all manufacturing in the province. Last weekend, the union said it was focusing its bargaining efforts on Ford because it believed it had the best chance of reaching an agreement with the company. Chrysler issued a statement late Sunday saying it was "very concerned" with this approach. "These negotiations are pivotal in shaping the future of the automotive landscape in this country. While we respect Ford as a competitor, we do not think they are in the best position to take on this role given the significant reduction in their Canadian footprint in recent years," it read. AATT T T IIO ONN WE'VE MOVED TO A NEW LOCATION! TE EN NT Women with Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome We are enrolling adult women to participate in a clinical research study of an investigational medication But the CAW has been adamant it will never agree to a permanent "two-tier" pay structure. "A two-tier system would divide the membership and make it more difficult to do our jobs side-by-side, cutting across workplace and intergenerational solidarity. It would drastically undermine our historic goal of ensuring that working in an auto plant remains a decent, well-paid job," the union said in a statement earlier Monday. If it didn't have a tentative deal before the 11:59 p.m. deadline Monday the union said it could have a work stoppage at any one, or even all three, of the companies. Business was usual for Ford in Oakville yesterday. You may be eligible if: · You are a female between the ages of 18 and 65 · You have been diagnosed or suspected to have Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome ** If eligible to participate, you will be seen by a study doctor and will receive study-related testing and study medication at no cost. You will be reimbursed for your participation. 1-866-666-3329 For more information, please call: · Balloons · Party Supplies · Halloween Costumes · Loot Bags · Party Decor AND MUCH MORE! 427 SPEERS ROAD (JUST WEST OF DORVAL) 905-842-6960 HOMECOMING 2012 September 20-22, 2012 Appleby College A three day celebration filled with events and activities for alumni and members of the Appleby community, including current and alumni parents, current alumni faculty, staff and students. Be sure to mark your calendar with this years Homecoming dates and register for events. Learn more at www.appleby.on.ca.