CAW is the union of choice for ASP & United

CAW is the union of choice for ASP & United

March 25, 2013 at 12:00 PM

It was a celebration at Local 2002 Toronto headquarters last week for our leadership from the central region. Earlier this month ASP-District 356 and United Airlines-District 330 each won their respective CIRB representational votes, confirming that the CAW is their union of choice.

Vice president of central region Rita Reid organized the meeting in order to recognize the hard work and collaboration between dedicated local leadership and labour activists.

"This is not only a win for the CAW, it is a win for all workers who actively exercise democracy and solidarity in equal measures,” said Reid.

District chairpersons Savithri Alahari (ASP) and Teresa Catenaro-Gerolin (United Airlines) worked tirelessly in the months preceding the votes, and praised their brothers and sisters at Pearson airport who encouraged members to vote.
 
"This was truly a team effort,” said Catenaro-Gerolin.  "United Airlines bargaining representative Rose Jevric, was instrumental in ensuring that everyone had the facts and knew exactly what was at stake.”
 
Savithri Alahari recapped how, after two long years of fighting to be heard in negotiations, their bargaining committee was finally sitting before an arbitrator. "In some ways, the vote was a distraction but on the other hand, it made the membership come together, and take a stand for what we believe in. We supported the CAW because the CAW has been steadfast in their support for ASP workers.”

CAW national representative Caroline Haddad was on hand to congratulate and applaud the group for their efforts.

"Workers want someone they can trust sitting on their side of the table, before, during and after negotiations,” says Haddad.   "The CAW’s record for fair representation and hard work on behalf of their members is second to none.”

Workers at Servisair/Handlex in Toronto and Montreal will soon undergo their own representational vote with the CIRB. On April 2, 2013 representatives from all three bargaining units (CAW, IAMAW and Teamsters) and the Company will meet with the CIRB to determine the next steps.