CAW steps up organizing at Magna plants

With Magna International Inc. expanding and promoting its ability to build complete vehicles, the Canadian Auto Workers union is intensifying efforts to organize workers at plants owned by the Markham, Ont. mega-supplier. Graham Orr, Magna's executive vice president, says the company's entrepreneurial culture, strong communication system and profit-sharing plan make unions unnecessary. Last April workers at Magna's only unionized plant in Canada voted to decertify the CAW. The United Auto Workers union also has vowed to organize more Magna locations in the U.S. Currently only three of Magna's 30 U.S. plants have any union presence.