Exploratory contract talks between officials from Unifor Local 444 and four auto parts suppliers pick up again this week.
Contracts for unionized workers at TRW, HPBO, Oakley and Dakkota expire this month. The contract at TRW expired March 4.
Local President Dino Chiodo says the union met with the auto parts suppliers earlier this month to discuss non-monetary issues like working conditions. Talks to explore monetary issues start Tuesday and will continue March 20 and 21.
However, Chiodo says with production at the Windsor Assembly Plant on hold while Chrysler retools the equipment; there's no big hurry for the 500 workers employed by the suppliers. Those workers will be off the job another 12 weeks.
"Their focus right now is to make sure they can meet all the demands to get through the shutdown. While at the same time being able to launch when Chrysler is up and running," says Chiodo. "Bargaining, generally we get done within a five to seven-day window."
