CAW Manufacturing Matters - Windsor - February 11, 2007

In the last 4 ½ years Windsor has lost 28% of their manufacturing jobs. From 51,200 in May 2002 to 36,700 in January 2007, a total of 14,500 jobs lost.

The loss of manufacturing jobs in Windsor affects everyone. Manufacturing workers earn and spend close to $2 billion a year. This supports the regional economy and is a major contribution to income tax. Manufacturing in Windsor accounts for 35% of the local economy, the highest in Canada.

Manufacturing wages are 30% higher than average in Ontario. The loss of 14,500 manufacturing jobs means a loss of over $590,000,000 in wages every year.

The loss of jobs affects everyone, United Way is facing an increased demand from the community for funding. The local bingo halls are closing. Casino Windsor attendance dropped, and there are negative effects on tourism, food service and retail sales.

Overall, Windsor has been hit exceptionally hard, and now has a 9.7% Regional Unemployment Rate. This is the highest of all major Canadian cities.

Across Canada, almost every other week another plant shuts its doors, files for bankruptcy or announces it's intention to move operations out of the country.

In response, the Canadian Auto Workers union is launching the campaign ‘Manufacturing Matters,’ highlighting the sweeping job losses, exploring the impact they have had on our communities and what we can do as citizens.

There will be community forums held across the country to raise public awareness of the critical loss of manufacturing jobs in Canada. In attendance will be local and national CAW leadership as well as workers affected by lay-offs and job loss in the region. Media are welcome to attend.

To Canadians, good jobs matter - manufacturing matters.

For more information and updates on the Manufacturing Matters campaign, visit:
www.caw.ca/campaigns&issues/ongoingc ampaigns/manu-job...

CAW Video News on Manufacturing Matters: www.caw.ca/news/videonews/recent/manu_cr isis.asp

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items are from between 11 Feb 2007 & 08 May 2007.