Some auto workers north of the border could go on strike in the coming days. If they do walk off the assembly lines next week, it could affect American plants quickly, including some of the plants in the Toledo area. CAW leaders say they are working around the clock to reach a deal. The Canadian Auto Workers union has voted to authorize strikes if that doesn't happen by the end of Monday
Negotiations between Chrysler, GM, Ford and the union recently became testy. Leaders of the car companies say they're trying to cut costs and the CAW is refusing to make concessions. The CAW says the companies are fixated on deep concessions that would have a lasting and severe impact on workers.
GM, Ford and Chrysler all make popular models in Canada, which obviously means those models would be in short supply. CAW workers also build key engine parts and other components for vehicles made here in the United States, which could force some factories to slow down production or even shut down completely.
Chrysler has a Canadian casting plant that supplies all assembly plants in North America. A Chrysler spokeswoman says they could find other suppliers and they are closely watching the situation. She says a strike by the CAW could have an indirect impact on the Toledo Assembly Complex because while it won't affect body work, it could affect the assembly of things like engines and transmissions that go into the vehicles.
Ray Wood, the head of the union that represents the workforce at GM's Toledo Transmission plant, says a strike in Canada could also have a residual effect on that plant, but he says at this point it's not clear when that would happen or how big an impact, if any, it would have.
Of course everyone is hopeful an agreement can be reached. The CAW sent a letter to workers on Wednesday saying they too are hopeful a strike can be avoided, but members must be ready for any outcome. According to GM, Ford and Chrysler, Canada is the most expensive place in the world to build cars and trucks.
Once again the CAW contracts with the big three are set to expire Monday at midnight.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 10:11 PM EDT2013-06-19 02:11:45 GMT
Rossford police are asking for your help identifying a pair of suspects. Investigators are looking for two suspects involved in a theft at the True North on Buck Road. Surveillance cameras captured the
Rossford police are asking for your help identifying a pair of suspects. Investigators are looking for two suspects involved in a theft at the True North on Buck Road.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 9:58 PM EDT2013-06-19 01:58:11 GMT
Up and down Federal Street, pink ribbons are now wrapped around trees, poles and cars. They are a solemn reminder of East Toledo's missing baby girl. 18-month-old Elaina Steinfurth was last seen on June
They are a solemn reminder of 18-month-old Elaina Steinfurth who was last seen on June 2nd.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 9:51 PM EDT2013-06-19 01:51:49 GMT
Toledo Police are searching for a suspect in an afternoon shooting. It happened just after 3:00 p.m. on Jervis near Bloomfield. Officers tell 13abc a woman called 9-1-1 and told dispatchers someone shot
Toledo Police are searching for a suspect in an afternoon shooting. It happened just after 3:00 p.m. on Jervis near Bloomfield.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 9:39 PM EDT2013-06-19 01:39:16 GMT
He was born with a condition that limits his sight, but it's not stopping a local 6th grader from competing on a national level. Jalen Ballard is representing Ohio in a national Braille competition.
He was born with a condition that limits his sight, but it's not stopping a local 6th grader from competing on a national level. Jalen Ballard is representing Ohio in a national Braille competition.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 7:55 PM EDT2013-06-18 23:55:39 GMT
Sylvania Township police are investigating the third incident of vandalism at Olander Park in the past two months. Firefighters arrived at the park Monday night to see a small building completely engulfed
Sylvania Township police are investigating the third incident of vandalism at Olander Park in the past two months.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 7:55 PM EDT2013-06-18 23:55:39 GMT
Sylvania Township police are investigating the third incident of vandalism at Olander Park in the past two months. Firefighters arrived at the park Monday night to see a small building completely engulfed
Sylvania Township police are investigating the third incident of vandalism at Olander Park in the past two months.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 10:11 PM EDT2013-06-19 02:11:45 GMT
Rossford police are asking for your help identifying a pair of suspects. Investigators are looking for two suspects involved in a theft at the True North on Buck Road. Surveillance cameras captured the
Rossford police are asking for your help identifying a pair of suspects. Investigators are looking for two suspects involved in a theft at the True North on Buck Road.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 9:58 PM EDT2013-06-19 01:58:11 GMT
Up and down Federal Street, pink ribbons are now wrapped around trees, poles and cars. They are a solemn reminder of East Toledo's missing baby girl. 18-month-old Elaina Steinfurth was last seen on June
They are a solemn reminder of 18-month-old Elaina Steinfurth who was last seen on June 2nd.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 9:51 PM EDT2013-06-19 01:51:49 GMT
Toledo Police are searching for a suspect in an afternoon shooting. It happened just after 3:00 p.m. on Jervis near Bloomfield. Officers tell 13abc a woman called 9-1-1 and told dispatchers someone shot
Toledo Police are searching for a suspect in an afternoon shooting. It happened just after 3:00 p.m. on Jervis near Bloomfield.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 9:39 PM EDT2013-06-19 01:39:16 GMT
He was born with a condition that limits his sight, but it's not stopping a local 6th grader from competing on a national level. Jalen Ballard is representing Ohio in a national Braille competition.
He was born with a condition that limits his sight, but it's not stopping a local 6th grader from competing on a national level. Jalen Ballard is representing Ohio in a national Braille competition.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 7:54 PM EDT2013-06-18 23:54:48 GMT
Two young girls were sleeping on the floor during a summer night, when gunshots burst through their apartment, killing one of them. Now one of the men police say was responsible has rejected a plea deal
Two young girls were sleeping on the floor during a summer night, when gunshots burst through their apartment, killing one of them. Now one of the men police say was responsible has rejected a plea deal in the case.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 7:00 PM EDT2013-06-18 23:00:32 GMT
From around 11:01 to 11:05, the International Space Station will fly overhead, initially emerging from the northwestern horizon, then departing to the east. The weather should cooperate, with gradual clearing.
From around 11:01 to 11:05, the International Space Station will fly overhead, initially emerging from the northwestern horizon, then departing to the east. The weather should cooperate, with gradual clearing.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 6:02 PM EDT2013-06-18 22:02:30 GMT
BREAKING: DETROIT (AP) - Chrysler decides to go along with government request to recall 2.7 million older model Jeeps.
Chrysler abruptly agreed to recall 2.7 million older model Jeeps Tuesday, reversing a defiant stance and avoiding a possible public relations nightmare over fuel tanks that can rupture and cause fires in rear-end collisions.
The search continues for a missing East Toledo girl. In the midst of the search, another missing children's case in our area is getting national attention. The Toledo Blade’s Danielle Trubow has the details.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:36 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:36:03 GMT
A former Wood County park ranger will spend more than four years behind bars. John Millinger was arrested in 2009 after police say he put an I-Pod with a video recorder behind a "No Smoking" sign in a
A former Wood County park ranger will spend more than four years behind bars. John Millinger was arrested in 2009 after police say he put an I-Pod with a video recorder behind a "No Smoking" sign in a women's restroom at a public park.