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Lear Closing Plant, Shedding Jobs

Canadian Auto Workers chief blames unfair trade deals and the high Canadian dollar for auto parts plant closure.

WINDSOR, Ont. — Auto parts maker Lear Corp. is closing a plant in Windsor with the loss of about 160 jobs, making the announcement four days after disclosing a raise for its chief executive officer.
 
Tuesday's news ''is another example of the devastating closures that continue to rip through the auto parts, auto assembly and manufacturing sectors,'' declared Canadian Auto Workers president Buzz Hargrove.
 
The CAW chief again excoriated the federal Conservative government ''for standing idly by while unfair trade deals and the high Canadian dollar wreak havoc on the Canadian auto sector and Canadian manufacturing overall.''
 
Lear Corp., a maker of seats and other interior systems based in Southfield, Mich., on Friday disclosed a new employment agreement with CEO Robert Rossiter, extending his tenure through 2010 and raising his base salary to US$1.25 million, with a bonus target to add at least $1.9 million to that amount.
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