News & Events Archived Newsletters CONTACT 2007 August 17, 2007Take Action on Manufacturing Crisis, Hargrove Urges
As part of a wide-ranging address to CAW/TCA Joint Council, CAW President Buzz Hargrove highlighted the job crisis ripping through the manufacturing sector. He blasted the lack of federal government action to address this growing problem that has already resulted in 300,000 lost manufacturing jobs in the last five years.
CAW President Buzz Hargrove told delegates that the manufacturing jobs crisis should be the theme for CAW Labour Day celebrations.
"We have a major crisis in manufacturing and we have to keep pushing the envelope," Hargrove said.
Hargrove urged all levels of government to develop "Buy Canadian" procurement policies for government purchases. He criticized the Harper Conservative's for plans to award a $14 million contract for 30 new troop transport buses to a German company, despite the fact numerous Canadian manufacturers can make the buses.
He also reported on the issues confronting GM, Ford and Chrysler as well as parts makers such as Lear, Woodbridge Foam, and Collins and Aikman. Heavy truck makers such as Freightliner, Navistar and others have also been impacted.
The Ontario government's response to the manufacturing crisis by providing financial support to build and maintain high value manufacturing jobs such as auto assembly and other manufacturing work is the correct approach, Hargrove said. The McGuinty government's plan to support green technology that will help develop cleaner and more efficient large vehicles is critical.
Hargrove also covered numerous other topics including the growing number of foreign buyouts of major Canadian companies and the need for the labour movement to fight the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP).
He urged delegates to attend the August 19 protest against the SPP in Ottawa and the federal government's willingness to further a "deep integration" agenda across North America.
In addition, Hargrove covered negotiations across the CAW including collective bargaining in aerospace, airlines, health care and gaming.
Delegates also supported the recommendation to lend the newly formed Canadian Construction Workers Union (CCWU) $5 million, broken up over the next four years. The recommendation was also unanimously endorsed by the National Executive Board, which met in the days leading up to the Joint Council.
This sum will allow the CCWU to continue its organizing efforts to bring more labourers under the umbrella of a Canadian union. Led by Tony Dionisio, the CCWU was granted status by the Ontario Labour Relations Board back in March.
20 Years of the CAW/FFAW
CAW/FFAW President Earle McCurdy welcomed the 1,000 delegates to CAW's Joint Council, marking the 20th anniversary of the merger of the FFAW and CAW.
FFAW President Earle McCurdy presented CAW President Buzz Hargrove and Secretary-Treasurer Jim O'Neil with a commemorative 20th anniversary poster.
He highlighted the important connections and rich history of democratic and social unionism shared by the FFAW and the CAW. A spirit of perseverance and survival evident in the CAW/FFAW members who live in so many coastal communities in Newfoundland and Labrador is the foundation that continues to help cement the union.
McCurdy praised the leadership of former FFAW President Richard Cashin and former CAW President Bob White for forging ahead with the merger demonstrating guts, vision and determination despite tough challenges.
Over the last two decades the CAW/FFAW has overcome many obstacles including the difficult times and hardship created by fish moratoria imposed by the federal government.
McCurdy said the CAW/FFAW continues to push forward to take on new challenges and has hired seven young staff members with strong science backgrounds to help provide members and government officials with solid independent research and policy about fish stocks.
Jobs Not Takeovers, says Desnoyers
CAW Quebec Director Luc Desnoyers highlighted the unique nature of the Joint Council in his address, calling it an excellent opportunity to find out about the situation facing workers across the country and to determine the best policies to help them.
CAW Quebec Director Luc Desnoyers urged all levels of government to put the best interest of citizens ahead of corporations.
He also emphasized the importance of continuing to pressure all levels of government to recognize the on-going jobs crisis in manufacturing. "Right now, our governments are happy to only talk about job creation and low unemployment," said Desnoyers. This hands-off attitude also translates to a lack of involvement in foreign takeovers, such as the recent purchase of Montreal-based aluminum giant, Alcan.
"Governments are in the process of selling off our country bit by bit -profits seem to be more important than our jobs," said Desnoyers. "Working together across the union, we must continue to oppose this."
CAW Manufacturing Matters Campaign Enters Phase Two
Delegates to the CAW Joint Council reinforced their support and commitment to protecting Canadian manufacturing workers, entering phase two of the Manufacturing Matters campaign.
Phase two will see increased pressure on local politicians and the federal government to recognize the job loss in Canadian manufacturing as a national crisis and set up a federal task force to respond.
In a report on the campaign's first phase CAW assistant to the president Carol Phillips commended the "passion and determination" of CAW members and allies throughout the country in their support of this critical fight, which is now in its eighth month.
Council delegates received a campaign toolkit containing a set of policy recommendations on unbalanced trade, the Canadian dollar, the need for 'Buy Canadian' legislation and foreign investment and promoting real investment in Canada.
Toolkits also contain a pledge form, directed at Federal MPs, that calls for their support in establishing a federal taskforce on manufacturing.
CAW local leadership, representing members in a wide-range of sectors, spoke from the floor about how the manufacturing crisis has impacted their members and communities. They underscored the need for the CAW to continue taking the lead in this second phase.
In his opening address, Hargrove also announced that "Manufacturing Matters" should be the theme for upcoming CAW Labour Day celebrations across the country.
Former FFAW President Regales Delegates
Former FFAW President Richard Cashin elicited laughter and admiration from Joint Council delegates as he told the story of how the FFAW/CAW came to be.
Former FFAW President Richard Cashin said that many current CAW members are the by-catch of the CAW's support for the FFAW.
What began as the Fishermen's Union in 1971 started from the desire to organize fish plant workers and secure a fair wage. Fish plant workers at the time received lower than minimum wage. For the first 16 years of its history, the FFAW was part of an international union before leading a fight to break apart.
"We said, 'as Newfoundlanders we're going to change this -you don't change it at the top, you change it among the working people,'" said Cashin. During the founding of the FFAW/CAW, Cashin and McCurdy and other members faced many threats, intimidation and attacks.
With the support of the CAW, and after a lengthy legal battle with their former international union, the FFAW eventually became part of the newly formed Canadian union in 1987.
"Beyond a shadow of doubt, we are a better union today because of their decisions," said Bob White, former CAW president.
Cashin said that the early decision to support the FFAW has likely also led to the growth of the CAW. "Many of you are here today because of the CAW's decision to help the FFAW -many smaller unions have seen this."
For more information on the history of the FFAW/CAW, visit: http://www.ffaw.nf.ca/History.asp
Building Global Labour Alliances
Roger Maddison of Unite, Britain's biggest trade union with two million members, outlined how the many problems facing British trade unionists are similar to those he heard during CAW Joint Council debates.
Maddison, an officer with the automotive section of Unite, said job security is the single biggest worry of workers in the United Kingdom's manufacturing sector. Across the U.K. 8,000 manufacturing jobs were lost in the first month of 2007 alone, he said.
While legislative solutions are possible when labour friendly governments are in power, Maddison urged stronger global labour alliances to combat global corporate greed.
Unite was formed in May 2007. It is the two million-member strong combination of Amicus and the Transport and General Workers' Union.
Manufacturing Matters, MP Peggy Nash Says
MP Peggy Nash urged delegates to keep pushing to raise the profile of the Manufacturing Matters campaign not only with politicians, but also with the broader public.
MP Peggy Nash pledges to work hard to raise the issues of manufacturing job loss in the House of Commons. Photo: Bob White, Robert Dean, Buzz Hargrove and Peggy Nash.
Nash, the NDP-MP for Parkdale-High Park in Toronto, praised the CAW for working hard to develop the Manufacturing Matters campaign.
"There is no advanced democracy that doesn't have a strong manufacturing base," said Nash, a former assistant to CAW President Buzz Hargrove and former President Bob White. She slammed the current Conservative government for negotiating trade agreements that don't include "Buy Canadian" provisions that ensure Canadian governments procure Canadian made products.
The growing gap between rich and poor, increased inequality, and lack of good jobs are major problems in Canada. Nash noted that in greater Toronto more than one million people make less than $10 per hour. In the last five years the Toronto area has lost 100,000 good paying manufacturing jobs.
Nash said it's critical to fight the broad message from right wing politicians and business leaders that governments can't help working people in the ways they want. "I believe that's a very dangerous message," Nash said. Working people must demand government fix our economy, ensure quality public health care continues and that our social services help people when they need it most, she said.
Vote Anyone But Harper, says Newfoundland Premier
Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams urged delegates to vote ABC - Anyone But Conservative - in the upcoming federal election.
Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams urged Canadians not to be "fooled into believing the federal government's spin".
Williams outlined his strong disappointment with Prime Minister Stephen Harper's government and its relationship with Newfoundland and other provinces regarding equalization payments and development of offshore oil resources, calling Harper "not a man of his word."
He also criticized the Harper government's drastic cuts to women's and cultural programs.
In his rousing speech, he underlined the importance of funding women's organizations, living up to pay equity responsibilities, ending violence and building a skilled workforce that includes training for women, often an under-represented population in the skilled trades.
Hargrove called Williams' speech extremely progressive and the first time any Conservative leader has ever addressed the CAW Council, the parliament of the union.
The CAW delegates gave a standing ovation for the Premier's speech.
New Policy on Protecting the Environment and Canadian Jobs
Delegates unanimously endorsed a new policy paper that fully commits the CAW to the fight against climate change, while also strengthening Canada's auto industry and other crucial domestic sectors.
Presenting the findings of the paper, 'Climate Change and Our Jobs: Finding the Right Balance,' National Director of Health, Safety and the Environment Sari Sairanen gave an overview of the climate change issue and the union's position within the current environmental debate.
"A green car industry will be a stronger industry," said Sairanen. "The question is where that industry will be located."
The paper contains a detailed strategy for "greening" the Canadian automotive industry, which directly employs over 150,000 manufacturing workers, but has suffered deeply in the face of one-way offshore imports.
The paper acknowledges the work of CAW members on promoting environmentalism through union education, collective bargaining and various campaigns on conservation, extended producer responsibility, cancer prevention and green auto issues. The paper also calls on union leaders and activists to increase their collective efforts on environmental activism.
The paper strongly criticized the federal government's "feebate" program, which provides a government rebate to purchasers of small, imported vehicles, but imposes new taxes on larger domestic vehicles.
The full text of Climate Change and our Jobs: Finding the Right Balance policy paper is available on the CAW website at: http://www.caw.ca/whoweare/CAWpoliciesand statements/pdfs/Environment_Paper_E.pdf
A Legacy of Social Unionism
This year's Labour Day will mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of famed UAW President Walter Reuther. Widely acknowledged as setting the foundation of social unionism, Reuther heralded in many improvements for workers such as company-paid pensions and benefits, cost of living adjustments (COLA) and supplemental unemployment insurance.
Reuther also lent his support to the growing civil rights movement, fostering a friendship with Martin Luther King. He is credited with working towards social equality in many other areas outside the traditional labour movement.
Reuther, his wife May and four others were killed in a plane crash in May 1970. Years after his death, he was nominated as one of the 100 most influential people of the 20th century by TIME Magazine.
The award-winning documentary, "Sit Down and Fight," which recounts Reuther's life, was presented to delegates, commemorating his many contributions.
Canadian Buses Should Transport Canadian Troops
In a letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper and then Minister of National Defense Gordon O'Connor, CAW President Buzz Hargrove expressed his extreme "disappointment" with the Canadian government's decision to purchase 30 new troop transport buses that will be built outside of Canada. Hargrove demanded that the government revoke their decision and take steps to ensure the $14 billion project is handed to one of Canada's numerous bus manufacturers. Hargrove highlighted the following points in his letter:
Canada is a leading producer of passenger buses, with numerous manufacturing facilities across the country including the Prevost facility in Quebec, the Orion plant in Ontario and the New Flyer facility in Manitoba;
Canada's manufacturing sector is in the midst of an historic downturn and it is incumbent on our government to take special efforts to ensure that domestic suppliers receive public procurement work, funded by Canadian tax dollars;
The federal government receives at least 20 cents of every dollar paid to the workers who manufacture these vehicles through federal income taxes and GST. The Canadian economy benefits from the broader spin-off effects of this work, yet these elements are not factored into the government's "cost accounting" of procurement bids;
In his letter, Hargrove noted that the government's decision is "another example of why Canada urgently needs a comprehensive 'Buy Canadian' procurement policy." To read the entire letter on the CAW website, go to: http://www.caw.ca/news/newsnow/news.asp?artID=1481
Stop the Security and Prosperity Partnership
In response to the upcoming Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) summit in Montebello, Quebec on August 20-22, Hargrove outlined concern around the "deep integration" agenda being promoted across North America by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, U.S. President George Bush and Mexican President Felipe Calderón.
In a letter to the Prime Minister, Hargrove warns that the SPP could merge many of Canada's social, economic and security policies with the United States and Mexico, threatening Canadian autonomy, reducing Canada's control over its natural resources and restricting Canada's ability to establish domestic rules and regulations.
Hargrove calls on Prime Minister Harper to remove Canada from the SPP and begin the process of developing a new national trade strategy, "one that ensures fair trade, fosters public transparency and accountability, protects Canada's national autonomy and promotes an economic and social agenda that benefits all Canadians."
To read the complete letter, go to: https://www.caw.ca/news/newsnow/ news.asp? artID=1489
CAW Ratifies New Agreement With VIA Rail
The more than 2,600 CAW members at VIA Rail have overwhelmingly ratified the new collective agreement by 82 per cent overall.
The new agreement is retroactive to January 1, 2007, including wages and benefits and extends to December 31, 2009. Members work in the areas of maintenance, ticket sales, clerical and on-board services.
The CAW master bargaining committee came to an agreement with VIA Rail early in the morning of July 21, after days of round the clock negotiations, avoiding a possible strike that would have halted services.
'This is an excellent agreement which includes significant progress in many areas such as the new apprenticeship program in the skilled trades agreement,' said Bryon DeBaets, President of CAW Local 100.
The collective agreement includes a three per cent per year wage increase, new benefit improvements, including a new Long-Term Disability (LTD) plan and an apprenticeship program for skilled trades and numerous changes which improve the working lives of our members.
'This agreement has produced historic work rule changes and an update to antiquated rules which will now provide improvements to the quality of work life for our members,' said Bob Fitzgerald, President of CAW National Council 4000.
Improvements were also made in health and safety, employee assistance programs, life insurance, seniority protection and increases in short term disabilities.
Protecting the Right to Strike in Nova Scotia Health Care
The CAW along with five other unions representing thousands of workers in the Nova Scotia health care sector are taking on Premier Rodney MacDonald over his plan to take away their right to strike.
MacDonald wants to replace the right to strike for 32,000 hospital, health care, community service workers and paramedics.
CAW Nova Scotia Area Director Victor Tomiczek said MacDonald is trying to make political gain by fixing something that isn't broken. Tomiczek said there have been three strikes in the past 25 years by health care workers.
Tomiczek said the Premier is failing to deal with the real problems in the province's health care system such as wait times, a shortage of long-term care beds, emergency room closures and other issues.
"It's critically important that the CAW and the other unions representing these workers speak out to protect their right to strike, said Tomiczek. MacDonald is trying to boost his sagging political fortunes by limiting the bargaining power of health care workers in this province."
CAW Local 4600 President Shauna Wilcox said the shortage of skilled laboratory technologists, diagnostic imaging technologists along with several other classifications in Nova Scotia hospitals needs to be addressed immediately.
"Our hospitals need to recruit skilled workers in these crucial areas," said Wilcox who is also President of the CAW's Nova Scotia Health Care Council. "The Premier should focus on recruitment and retention of these skilled workers, instead of trying to make political gain from taking away our right to strike."
CAW Locals 4600, 4603, 4606 represent 3,700 Nova Scotia health care workers.
E-TOP Council Launched
More than 30 delegates attended the inaugural meeting of the Education, Technical, Office and Professional (ETOP) Sector Council just prior to the CAW/TCA Joint Council.
Theresa Farao, former president of the TOP Council and newly acclaimed president of E-TOP stressed the significance of the newly formed council in her welcome to delegates. "I think this council is so important because this sector is part of the future growth of our union," said Farao. She said that women make up 80 per cent of education workers, much more than many other sectors of the union.
Carol Phillips, assistant to the CAW President, said the E-TOP Council will ensure new ideas and new approaches are brought forward. The addition of Education sector workers from universities such as McMaster, Lakehead, Manitoba, Sudbury, Windsor, Toronto and St. Francis Xavier will bring renewed energy to the members who were part of the previous Technical, Office and Professional Council.
"We need this new energy and this new momentum," said Phillips. She urged delegates to the newly formed sector council to work hard to reach out to part-time, marginalized and workers in temporary agencies.
CAW Local 444 President Ken Lewenza said the message that the CAW is a diverse, growing union must go to all workers. A key challenge is to ensure that message also reaches the unorganized, he said.
The new executive is made up of education workers and former TOP executive members.
Staff Appointments
CAW President Buzz Hargrove made the following appointments, effective September 2, 2007:
WHITEY MACDONALD, NEB member and CAW Ford Local 1520 plant chair appointed national service representative, working out of the CAW London office.
STEVE FARKAS, national representative, appointed Kitchener area director.
