CAW says yes to CEP

This week at their national convention the CAW has unanimously approved a plan to merge the CAW with the CEP.  This will make the yet to be named union the biggest private sector union in Canada with over 300 000 members in 20 sectors.  That would be big enough union news to merit a blog entry but wait there’s more: the new union is going to aggressively organize, not just employed workers but the unemployed, the retired and other members of the working class. 

Back in the day the union hall was the social epicentre of many industrial towns but as manufacturing waned and consumer culture waxed all measure of material things replaced the camaraderie that once emanated from the union hall.  Many CAW locals have worked their asses off to get involved with their communities to be seen as a social force for good and reclaim their position at the heart of the communities they represent.  The organizing model of traditional unions in Ontario however did not allow them to admit like minded workers who could not obtain 50% + 1 at their workplaces nor did it allow them to admit the ever growing numbers of unemployed workers but this merger could turn that on its head.  Shortly after the CAW vote CAW President Ken Lewenza  said “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,” In my opinion this new union has the potential to break the mould and change the way workers are organized.

For more information on how the CAW broke off from the UAW watch Final offer at http://www.nfb.ca/film/final_offer it is a great film.  If you just can’t get enough of those down home CAW movies track down a copy of the negotiator; it documents tense contract negotiations in the aerospace industry.  Still want more? You can watch the recap (or live stream for the next little bit) of the CAW convention at http://www.caw2012.ca

It’s a good day for the Labour Movement

Sol.

Labourguydave