Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Last week, we heard from GM officials. The Head of GM informed us that executives were taking a 10% pay cut. I asked him whether they were going to ask for more than that from workers, that is whether they were going to ask them to take a pay cut of more than 10%? He didn't answer my question.
Earlier, I read through your submission. I think you've really gone over the 10%. When workers are asked to take a pay cut, there is one thing that neither the union nor the workers can control, and that's the way the company is run. I don't think the workers are responsible for the predicament in which the company is currently mired. The economic crisis is one thing, but while we look at what's happening and try to make the changes that haven't been made, the workers are the ones left to pick up the tab. The only thing you're asking is for the workers to make some concessions and yet, the price of consumer goods doesn't budge at all.
We also read in the newspapers and hear on television that auto workers earn hefty salaries, that they can afford to take a pay cut. What about auto workers in other countries? Are their salaries comparable?