Share
Monday, October 15, 2012
London Free Press
The Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union has voted to merge with the CAW.
The union, which has yet to name itself, will represent over 300,000 workers in every province and in 22 different major economic sectors.
The vote has held at the CEP national convention in Quebec City.
“With this new union we are sending out a clear message that labour is ready to do what is necessary to take on governments and employers who would like nothing better than to see us disappear,” said CEP national president Dave Coles in a press release. “I have no doubt that this bold initiative will bolster the efforts of labour and other progressive movements across the country.”
The CEP and CAW are two of the largest unions ever to come together.
“Our new union will be well-suited to take on today's challenges, particularly around the growing precariousness of employment,” said CAW president Ken Lewenza in the release. “Workers across the country will soon have a greater opportunity for union representation in their community and existing members will have more bargaining clout when sitting across from their employer at the negotiating table. We will be stronger, more effective and yield greater influence.”
Eight members of each union will soon meet to plan for the upcoming work of six working groups, including constitutional, implementation, staff relations, organizing, communications and convention planning.
There is no set date for the founding convention in 2013.
Source: http://www.lfpress.com/2012/10/15/caw-cep-to-merge-for-super-union
