Union: Canadian GM workers deserve bonuses

TORONTO, Feb. 15 (UPI) -- The head of the Canadian Auto Workers union says General Motors should be giving Canadian workers the same $4,000 bonus U.S. workers will get.

In a statement issued in Toronto, Ken Lewenza said the CAW's 9,000 GM workers had as much of a right to performance bonuses as their U.S. counterparts, the Toronto Star reported.

Chrysler announced earlier this year it is giving its Canadian production and skilled workers $750 checks while salaried staff will get undisclosed amounts.

Meanwhile, GM announced Monday it was giving 45,000 unionized employees checks averaging $4,000 later this month and undisclosed bonuses to about 26,000 salaried staff, the Star said.

"When GM was on the verge of bankruptcy, the company showed no hesitation in demanding our members give up past gains to ensure its survival," Lewenza's statement said. "Now that GM's balance sheet is starting to improve, we expect that our members benefit from this recovery.