WINDSOR, ON, Aug. 18 /CNW/ - The National Quality Institute (NQI) announced today that they are awarding DaimlerChrysler Canada (DCCI) and the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) the prestigious Healthy Workplace Award. As part of its annual Canada Awards for Excellence, NQI is honoring the unique collaborative partnership between the company and the union, and recognizing the innovative health, safety and wellness initiatives delivered to DaimlerChrysler Canada employees, retirees and their families.

DCCI and the CAW have produced numerous employee initiatives such as health and safety programs and policies, education and training programs, on-site health and wellness services and environmental programs and policies.

The NQI award establishes DCCI and the CAW's healthy workplace programs, such as Working Toward Wellness at DCCI, as an industry benchmark.

"The health, safety and wellness of our employees, retirees and their families is a priority for DaimlerChrysler Canada and our CAW partners," said Mark Norman, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of DaimlerChrysler Canada Inc. "This award is further recognition that when the company and the union work together towards a common goal, we can achieve world class results."

"The CAW/DaimlerChrysler partnership on health, safety, wellness, and the environment shows our collective commitment to the health and safety of CAW members, their families and their communities," says Buzz Hargrove, National President of the CAW.

DaimlerChrysler manufactures many of the company's most popular vehicles in Canada including the Magnum and 300/300C in Brampton and the Grand Caravan, Town & Country, and Pacifica in Windsor. In 2003, DaimlerChrysler invested more than $1 billion to prepare the Windsor and Brampton plants for the launch of its new generation of cars, part of a commitment to invest $2.6 billion in Canadian operations between 2002 and 2005.

NQI is an independent, not-for-profit organization and is Canada's leading authority on the development and sustainability of excellence through quality and healthy workplace environments. The Healthy Workplace Award recognizes employers who promote, encourage, support, and offer exemplary health-related policies and programs in the workplace. To receive the award, organizations must have fully met the NQI Healthy Workplace Criteria with documented overall achievements and results. NQI, Health Canada, and health and wellness professionals from across Canada developed the criteria. The five criteria for healthy workplaces are: leadership, planning, people focus, process management and outcomes.

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For further information: DaimlerChrysler Canada Inc., Communications,
Jennifer Clements, (519) 973-2063