December 22, 2010 at 4:00 PM
by Don Ross
Vice President, Jazz Technical Services
Airline Local 2002
Did you know that we have only had three Presidents in the history of the CAW? Council basically starts by recognizing and thanking Bob White and Buzz Hargrove for their part in the 25 years of leadership as a Canadian Union.
If you have never heard Ken Lewenza speak, you are missing an event. The man has passion and style that cannot help but inspire! And he has a lot to say. The CAW is a very diverse union involved in many sectors doing a lot of different things. I cannot do his speech justice, but I can offer some highlights (his full speech is available on request from the CAW).
Unemployment
When the unemployment rate goes down, the government is quick to take credit, but when it goes up they say there is nothing they can do. In places with high unemployment rate from Windsor’s 10.8% to Newfoundland’s 18% you get the “you should be happy to have a job” mentality instead of support for a wage you can raise a family with.
Part Timers
President Lewenza referred to these part time jobs as “precarious work”. He warned of the expanding rate of part time employment to the detriment of full time employment.
Medical Sector
This sector s under intense pressure from the government for wage restraint, but they are not willing to maintain the quality of service, hours of work, or manpower at current levels. It is a complex issue that we have not found a solution for.
Commitment
We need to be committed to fighting for jobs everywhere. For example, in Oshawa we fought hard against plant closures. In the end, we still could not save the plants but we did get other concessions for our members because we did fight. In another plant we made some tough decisions because that plant was closing and moving to Mexico and could not save those jobs. However, we were able to convert that auto plant to a parts plant that gave us jobs, although at a lower rate. Tough choices.
Bargaining
CN and CP are currently in bargaining. Pratt and Whitney (aircraft engine manufacturer) are coming to the end of their bargaining. Air Canada will be bargaining next year. Health care workers have the total support of the CAW against the pressure the government is putting on them. Gaming gains are not coming easy, but we continue to fight. Retail workers are fighting against always being labeled as minimum wage jobs. (Sears put the Steelworkers union on strike for 11 months!) We urge you to check the CAW National website to see which retailers are organized and give them your business.
Pensions
65% of retirees rely solely on CPP yet we are constantly attacked on pension plans.
F35 Aircraft
We do not know if it is good public policy, but we know that it should be publicly debated, and if we do get them, then we need to have job gains for Canadian aerospace industries. Tax dollars should be used to invest in Canadian jobs and manufacturing.
Mining sector
A very public story about how the sale of Potash to foreign ownership was squashed. There should be more stories about denied foreign ownership. Our natural resources should remain in control of the Canadian people.
Youth suicide
This is a very difficult and terrible issue in any section of society, but the suicide rate for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth is three-times higher, not because of their sexual orientation, but how others act towards these people.
Prescription drugs
The costs keep going up and up. The government should make drugs ‘not be for profit.’
Bill C-49: Trafficking in Persons
We are against Bill C-49 as it punishes refugees. The opposition is also against it so it will not likely pass. It curbs their rights to justice and human rights.
Stephen Lewis Foundation
The CAW helped out with a program where African Grandmothers drove across Canada to over 40 communities to tell the stories on how devastating AIDS has been in Africa to raise awareness and funds.
Labour
After a long absence we are asking Ontario Locals to re-affiliate with the Ontario Labour Federation. The CAW needs the Labour movement and the Labour movement needs the CAW. We are well organized, engaged in public campaigns. The CAW has been working closely with the CLC.
Ken concluded his report by talking about how our numbers have dropped to about 191,000 members from the peak of 250,000.
‘We are in transition to make changes that will ensure that we sustain ourselves long term. We work hard to defend our membership. That does not mean that we do not have weaknesses, but we are always pushing to be better.’