CAW backs creation of new union

Support unanimous for joint project with CEP

The Canadian Auto Workers has voted unanimously to join the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers, and form Canada’s biggest private-sector union with the aim of changing the country’s economic and social course.

More than 600 delegates at a CAW convention at the downtown Toronto Sheraton Centre accepted a package of proposals Wednesday for the new union that would pour millions of dollars more into organizing and open up membership to non-union workers and other Canadians.

“This union will pose a serious challenge to the unrepresentative, unfair economic and political systems workers now find themselves caught in.” said CAW president Ken Lewenza. “This new union has the potential to change the way workers are represented in this country, bringing about stronger democracy in the workplace and greater community involvement.”

Most delegates stood up to show their support of the package that would improve the two unions’ governing structure, financing priorities, servicing levels and strategic direction while making a major effort to extend their influence for social change into communities.

More than 40 delegates spoke in favour of the new union and many of them used their remarks to underline what they say is the need to mobilize workers and Canadians so they can dump right-wing governments in Ottawa and several provinces.

Several delegates said the new union and other groups must reverse a corporate agenda that is relentlessly cutting wages, retiree benefits and jobs while governments stand idly by. No one in the crowd of union activists. spoke to formally voice their opposition.

CEP will hold its own convention in Quebec City in October. If CEP delegates approve the same package, the two unions would hold a founding convention next year where they would consider a constitution and new name.

Peter Kennedy, the CAW’s national secretary treasurer, said the new unnamed union could grow into a major political force by attracting people outside traditional workplaces who would be able to push for a better society. The proposed new CAW-CEP union wants to open its membership to the unemployed, retirees, students and other people with similar social interests in communities around the country. Among other changes, the unions want to double their spending on organizing to a combined $50 million during the next five years to build “density” in some sectors and improve their bargaining position “We’re imagining what this union can be,” said Kennedy, who worked on the package with a group of other leaders over several months. “Do you want to change the world?” asked Gaetan Menard, the CEP’s secretary treasurer. “Yes,” responded jubilant delegates. The two unions started formal talks earlier this year in an effort to reinvigorate the labour movement whose membership and bargaining power has declined steadily during the last quarter of a century. “The old ways haven’t worked,” said Local 222 president Chris Buckley, who also worked on the package. Former CAW president Buzz Hargrove applauded his union’s move and said the labour movement has to fight back now otherwise the lives of workers, retirees and other Canadians will continue to deteriorate economically.

“Everything we’re fighting for is under attack, and this is a turning point,” he yelled.

“We’re going to be a force to be reckoned with,” added another delegate from Halifax.

At one point, Lewenza jokingly asked if there was a nurse in the convention hall as speakers became more emotional and passionate in their remarks.

The CAW and CEP currently represent 190,000 and 130,000 workers respectively in about 20 sectors.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees is the biggest union in the country with more than 600,000 members.