Canadian job-seekers swamp GM
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Thousands of Canadian job-hunters camped out in sub-zero temperatures after rumours that General Motors was looking for workers, writes Russell Hotten.
The world's largest car company was overwhelmed when about 15,000 people lined up in the hope of being taken on at the plant at Oshawa, near Toronto. Word had spread that GM, Canada's 10th-largest employer, was planning to introduce a third shift at its assembly plant - something GM denied.
GM said routine turnover of the labour force meant it would be hiring some time this year and took applicants' details, but it denied job openings were imminent. "At some point during the year we will have to hire and we want to be prepared with a pool of qualified candidates," a GM spokesman said. GM has had a virtual freeze on hiring since 1985.
The company's Canadian operations are forecast to sell more than 440,000 vehicles in the country this year, a 6 per cent rise.
According to the official figures for December, almost 1.36 million people are out of work in Canada, which has a population of 28.2 million. The unemployment rate was 9.6 per cent last month.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments