Skilled Trades Association, CAW Local 199 St. Catharines (General Motors Unit) | ||||||
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Regarding the Pelham News article by Sun media columnist Greg Weston, “Hold the hankies for GM workers” published Friday, March 13, 2009:
The decision of the editor of the Pelham News to reprint the Sun media column of Greg Weston was as disappointing as it was infuriating. Town of Pelham residents, which include a good number of GM autoworkers and retirees deserve better from its local paper.
Greg Weston’s job is to spread feces in every direction hoping something will stick to someone. His usual target is the slimy underbelly of national politics and the cast of characters who have the unfortunate task of governing this country. This is an area he has some knowledge of and he should stick to this area, for he has little or no knowledge of the auto industry or its workers and his opinion of it certainly does not deserve to be regurgitated by our weekly paper.
If Weston or anyone else bought a GM car 20 years ago and had a less than satisfactory vehicle, I am sorry but I had nothing to do with the design of that vehicle and you can be assured those that did are no longer working for our company. The vehicles GM builds today are as good as or better than anything made on the planet and the media bias against GM and its workers is undeserved.
If Weston or anyone else has had a less than satisfactory GM dealer experience, I am sorry for that as well, but autoworkers in St.Catharines have had those experiences as well and have used our voices within the company to affect change. Today dealers will literally kiss your behind to make sure you are happy with your purchased vehicle or service.
If Weston or anyone else is jealous of our compensation and benefit package, I am sorry for that as well. As a GM autoworker, I am not going to apologize to anyone for what I do for a living. Our wages and benefits account for 7% of the cost of a new vehicle. We get paid very well but we also pay high taxes and support our communities with high spending power. We are taking notice of the support or lack of we receive in our communities and will be directing our spending power away from those who choose to support the foreign auto companies and their economies, such as the Sun, the Pelham news and their advertisers.
Edward Steers | ||||||
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