News & Events Archived Newsletters CONTACT 2007 March 30, 2007Manufacturing Matters - Canada's Manufacturing Crisis
Canada's manufacturing sector is in crisis. Almost every other week another Canadian plant shuts its doors, files for bankruptcy or announces its intention to move its operations out of the country.
Good manufacturing jobs are disappearing at an alarming rate across the country and the Harper government has done nothing to stop this devastation. The clear message to Canadian workers is that the government simply does not care.
CAW Council adopted a resolution at its December meeting that calls on the CAW to lead a campaign highlighting the ongoing loss of manufacturing jobs and the effect on Canada's future. Part of the campaign involves a series of community forums headed up by CAW local union leadership, labour councils and community allies.
In preparation for the community forums, information meetings for CAW leadership, membership and community activists are being held to provide information about the scope of manufacturing job losses and what can be done to protect jobs and the welfare of communities and families.
The campaign was launched in the Niagara Region with a well-attended information meeting at the CAW Local 199 hall in St. Catharines, Ontario. Niagara Region activists are planning the next steps in their campaign.
To find out more about upcoming information meetings, visit the CAW web site at: www.caw.ca/campaigns&issues/ongoingcampaigns/manu-jobs/index.asp
CAW Calls on Government to Stop Plant Closure
Representatives of more than 265,000 CAW members across the country have thrown their support behind workers at Norsk Hydro Canada at a meeting of the National Executive Board (NEB) in Mont-Tremblant, urging the Québec government to keep the magnesium plant open.
In a resolution passed by the NEB, the CAW called upon the government of Québec to keep production going, giving the provincial economic development agency Investissement Québec the necessary time to find a buyer. The Norwegian-based Norsk Hydro announced in July it would be selling the Bécancour operation in Trois-Rivières and leaving the magnesium industry. In October, the company announced it would be closing the plant, putting nearly 400 people out of work.
"This is an important industry for the Québec economy and it would be a disaster for the region if it closed," said CAW Québec Director Luc Desnoyers. "We are not going to sit back and let this happen." Since October, CAW-TCA leaders and Local 6055 have been rallying the government to find a buyer. General Motors currently buys 53 per cent of the product and pledged in an October meeting to continue doing business with the plant.
In 2006 alone, Québec lost 33,000 manufacturing jobs. Hard hit by the national manufacturing crisis, this closure would cost the region $25 million in lost wages and revenue, as each job at the plant supports three others.
VIA Rail Funding 
Following a letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper and as part of the CAW campaign to secure funding for VIA Rail, CAW representatives met with Transport Minister Lawrence Cannon in Ottawa recently.
The CAW delegation included CAW President Buzz Hargrove, CAW Council 4000 President Bob Fitzgerald, CAW Local 100 President Bryon De Baets, National representative Doug Olshewski and Bob Chernecki, assistant to the CAW president.
At the March 27 meeting - the CAW presented an overview and written brief on the importance of the Harper government providing the necessary funding for VIA Rail. This funding is absolutely critical to ensure this vital national passenger rail service remains viable into the future.
The delegation also presented hundreds of VIA Rail campaign postcards which were filled out by CAW members and the general public outlining their support for the federal government properly funding VIA Rail.
Following the hour-long meeting, the Transport Minister committed his government's support for VIA and indicated they were currently working with VIA on the financial requirements as outlined by VIA's management team.
Hargrove was emphatic that this must be made a priority for the federal government because of VIA's role in linking the country together and providing solid employment for thousands of Canadians.
"If the government is sincere in their green strategy there isn't a better investment that could be made than the VIA passenger rail system," Hargrove said.
De Baets and Fitzgerald also emphasized with the Minister and his staff that VIA CAW members, their families and communities are counting on the commitment to properly fund VIA.
CAW members are urged to continue filling out campaign post cards and to continue contacting their MPs on the issue.
Fish Harvester Safety Training
Fish harvesters in Newfoundland-Labrador have been granted a one-year grace period to complete mandatory safety training. The decision by Transport Canada followed a meeting between Fish, Food and Allied Workers (CAW/FFAW) and representatives from other fishing organizations with Transport Canada on March 16.
CAW/FFAW President Earle McCurdy said that while over 9,000 harvesters had completed the safety training by the original deadline, there were still several thousand more to go. Harvesters will now have until April 1, 2008 to complete the safety training.
Transport Canada has said it will not take enforcement action if harvesters can show proof of registration in a Marine Emergency Duties training course. McCurdy urges those who have not done so, to register in a MED course. Without the extension several fisheries would have been in jeopardy this year if they were unable to use their experienced crew members unless they had training certification.
CAW Pride Conference: April 5 Deadline
Apply now! The 4th biennial CAW Pride Conference will be held at the Port Elgin, Family Education Centre from April 20 to 22. This conference will be a critical step in ongoing efforts to ensure lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) union members work in safe workplaces, and that formal legal equal rights lead to true social equality.
LGBT members, as well as allies are encouraged to attend. A new 'Allies' workshop will equip leadership and allies to better understand and support our LGBT members. The deadline for registration is April 5. For more information contact CAW Human Rights Director Raj Dhaliwal or CAW National Representative Sue Carter at 1-800-268-5763.
Women in Collective Bargaining: June 17- 22
Equitable collective agreements mean better conditions for everyone, so make your voice heard. Sign up for the Women in Collective Bargaining course, offered by the PEL Program at the CAW Family Education Centre in Port Elgin, Ontario.
The one week program will equip participants with knowledge of the union's bargaining priorities and practices. Attendees will also learn the importance of contract language, preparation and research as well as leadership and how to maximize your bargaining power by developing a strategic approach.
As with all PEL programs, participants must be from CAW units that have negotiated PEL funds from their employers. The registration deadline is Friday, May 11, 2007.
For more information, please contact Julie White, Director Women's Programs 1-800-265-1891 ext. 2489 or email at: women@caw.ca
