TORONTO - The Canadian Auto Workers vowed Friday to wage a battle against the minority Conservative government to force an economic stimulus package that suits the auto industry.
While the Conservatives were successful in suspending Parliament, the Liberal-NDP coalition supported by the union won a partial victory by getting the government to backtrack on their economic statement, said CAW president Ken Lewenza.
That victory means the union will keep pushing for an stimulus package that suits the needs of Canadians and the auto industry.
"When people say, 'were we partially victorious?' You're damn right we were," Lewenza said in a fiery speech to union delegates.
"Over the next two months we could force the Tory government to look at a stimulus package that protects the interests of Canadians. We could make them look at the coalition's financial stimulus package to see if it could be incorporated."
The union leader says there's a "battle to wage" and that he's "damned pissed off."
"The only way that we can force this government to change direction is to build a coalition."
The federal and Ontario governments have asked General Motors, Ford and Chrysler to provide detailed financial information and a restructuring plan for their Canadian operations by Friday.
Despite Parliament being suspended until late January, Industry Minister Tony Clement says there are funds in the last budget to help automakers.
