The federal and Ontario governments won't say if they are seeking a no-strike provision from teetering General Motors and Chrysler as a condition of up to $4 billion in loans.

The lack of confirmation follows revelations that their parent auto companies in the United States have agreed to a strike ban to secure up to $17.4 billion (U.S.) in loans.

GM and Chrysler must still seek the support of United Auto Workers in the U.S., but the leader of the Canadian Auto Workers yesterday rejected any possibility that his union would approve a ban on walkouts here.

CAW president Ken Lewenza said such a provision would "trample" workers' rights. It appears anti-labour Republicans inserted the provision as part of the aid package south of the border, he noted.

"We would never agree to that," Lewenza said in an interview. "It's a non-starter. As far as we're concerned, Canadian governments shouldn't be involved in the bargaining process between companies and workers."

As it is, CAW members couldn't legally walk off the job at GM and Chrysler until 2011 when their contracts expire. That's also when the companies are to repay the final portions of the loans.

However Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty have already conceded the two automakers may need more public money in future to survive the current downturn in the industry, a key engine of the North American economy.

In contrast to Canada, U.S. workers at individual GM and Chrysler plants can walk off the job in local disputes despite a national contract.

Lewenza said GM and Chrysler in Canada have not approached his union about any concessions to make them more competitive. The federal and provincial governments have stressed workers must "be part of the solution" in any aid package.

The union is open to ideas that would help the companies, Lewenza has said.

Ottawa and Queen's Park announced the aid package Dec. 20 and said the first payouts would occur on the "closing" date of Dec. 29.

However, the governments disclosed this week that the companies asked to defer the payouts until next week as talks continue.

In Ottawa, Pierre-Luc Poisson, a spokesperson for Industry Canada, would not confirm that the no-strike provision is on the table.

"We are negotiating specific terms and conditions," he said in an email response.

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The governments have revealed few of the aid package details.