It's not a wage cut if you don't have a job.

Those words come from the President of Local 199 regarding a report that says the union offered a wage cut to the big three in order to get a new collective agreement signed.

Wayne Gates says the C-A-W's proposal is a change to the progression rate, something that already exists in their current deal.

This means that over time you will always get to the top rate of pay as opposed to the two tier system the U-A-W.

Gates says with them you start at a certain rate with small annual raises.

The union has basically extended their current progression from six to ten years.

Gates adds that they still want the companies to take concessions off the table because it is a road they don't want to travel on.

Another issue the union will go to the mat for is changes to the pension plan.

The Big Three want the membership to go from a fixed benefit plan to a fixed contribution plan.