1. What's the biggest difference between you and Buzz?
I've learned a lot from him. I'd like to think that I recognize that there has to be more of a collective face put on the union, because Buzz was so powerful. I see a more inclusive, more collective thought process versus that...kind of that one voice out there for the CAW.
2. You've talked about patching things up with the UAW .
What's the issue?
We haven't had a sound relationship since the breakaway. So I'm going to try to find a process of open communication, because I think we have more in common than we don't. Both of us are experiencing market share decline, both of us are experiencing significant job losses, and maybe we can share some common objectives on how we can turn this around.
3. Where will the Canadian auto sector be in five years?
Much smaller. They'll still hopefully play a huge part in the Canadian economy, but I see General Motors, Ford and Chrysler being smaller companies. And that doesn't mean smaller in terms of the volumes we build, because every time we introduce a new model, and every time there's new technologies and new processes, you build more with less people, so there is going to be less people. And hopefully the industry will be on better footing in five years.
4. Foreign automakers have been ahead of the Big Three on fuel efficiency. What do the Big Three need to do?
I'm not sure that's 100% accurate. There's a perception that Honda and Toyota have better fuel economy. But the Big Three have come a long way. As soon as you say "cars," you think Honda and Toyota. As soon as you say "SUVs and trucks," you think Ford, GM and Chrysler....So it takes a long, long time to change that culture, to change that reputation. Somehow, some way, they've got to get out there and sell themselves as a new company that's coming up with new technologies and new vehicles. It's gonna take a couple home-run vehicles. ...If GM, Ford and Chrysler had the cash flow that Toyota or Honda have, they could market themselves differently. But I believe they're doing everything in their power to do that, and that's all we can ask for.
5. Where does the future of the CAW lie?
We've got to continue to diversify. That's where Buzz has been incredibly successful. I've asked my folks to concentrate on retail, as an example. When you say "retail," people naturally think lower wages, no benefits and no job security. Well, if that's the economy where there's growth, then why can't the union get in there to raise the standards for those workers? Seventy per cent of the Canadian work force is unorganized. So there's opportunity. We've just got to keep working at it. --Interview by Dawn Calleja
photographs (far left) fernando morales/the globe and mail; (haig, swanson, rosenbaum, mulgrew, spiner, olmos) getty