CAW says has deal with GM

TORONTO, March 8 (UPI) -- The Canadian Auto Workers union said Sunday it has struck a tentative deal with General Motors Corp. on labor givebacks to help keep the automaker alive.

Ten-thousand CAW members who work for GM must ratify the agreement before it can be implemented, the Detroit Free Press reported. Voting is expected Tuesday and Wednesday.

CAW President Ken Lewenza said the deal also is contingent upon the automaker obtaining Canadian government loans and specific product commitments at GM plants.

"Our objective coming into these negotiations was to minimize the pain felt by our members and their families, while ensuring that General Motors was well positioned to receive government assistance to remain viable," Lewenza said in a statement. "At the same time, we understand that workers didn't cause this crisis, which was caused by the global financial meltdown and ensuing credit freeze."

If approved, the contract would be extended by one year to 2012, freeze base wages and suspend cost-of-living adjustments for workers and pensioners. The agreement would also reduce paid time off, divert an annual bonus to pay for retiree health benefits, increase health insurance co-pays and reduce spending on some union-sponsored programs by one-third.