The President of Unifor has the Auto Parts Manufacturers Association of Canada in his corner.
APMA President Flavio Volpe applauds the strategy Jerry Dias is using to pressure GM to continue operations at the Oshawa complex.
Volpe says you don't get a decision in your favour is you don't ask and you won't get anybody to admit the value you bring to the table unless you force them to look at the facts.
Volpe admits there is some concern about the tactic around Queen's Park.
"A lot of people up here are uncomfortable, we're talking about analysts, political observers with how loud and how strong he's being on it but frankly he's got our full support"
He says there is a lot of work going on behind the scenes to keep Oshawa in play.
Unifor National President Jerry Dias, Turner Road Unifor Hall, December 20, 2018 (by AM800's Peter Langille)
"Jerry amongst others including myself and very interested parties in both levels of government are exploring the opportunity to either extend their commitment there or find another automotive use for that space. So I commend him on his commitment to it"
Volpe says the auto sector is Canada is unified.
"Number one, we'll all partner in your success good times and bad. Number two you're not leaving without a fight. So it's important for everybody along that corridor that we put up a strong effort to retain that footprint in Oshawa"
He says Oshawa and Windsor bookend a 400-kilometre corridor of auto sector business and losing one end of that would be damaging.