In the News

The following news articles have come across my desk recently and I thought they would be of interest to you. If you want more information about a particular story simply click on read more. If you would like to contact me, read my reports, or my archived postings, please click on the following link. Reports from Wayne Gates & Archived Articles

Wayne Gates, President CAW Local 199

CAW Outraged at Closure Announcement at Electro-Motive in London

February 3, 2012, CAW President Ken Lewenza is expressing his anger and frustration at what is he calling the "callous move" by Caterpillar to suddenly close its London Electro-Motive Diesel plant, announced this morning.

Sadly, the closure doesn't come as a total surprise to the union.

"Caterpillar had no intention of keeping this plant open," said Lewenza. "From day one, we believed that Caterpillar was trying to provoke a crisis, by forcing deep cuts that were not possible," said Lewenza. "Our members would have happily continued working under the previous conditions, but that wasn't enough for this incredibly profitable company."

Caterpillar locked out approximately 465 workers on January 1, after tabling a final offer that would cut wages and benefits in half. Last week, Caterpillar announced $4.9 billion in annual profits, the highest in its 86 year history.

Lewenza also pointed the finger squarely at government inaction in allowing the closure. He said that 465 workers and another 1,700 workers employed in spin-off jobs are now the casualties of an outdated and dysfunctional Investment Canada Act, that attaches no commitment to Canadian jobs to corporate take-overs.

"The Stephen Harper government is entirely in the pocket of the corporate elite and has shown absolute disregard for Canadian workers and their families," said Lewenza. "I am disgusted at this government and its indifference towards the suffering of workers and the unemployed. The Harper government was elected by Canadians, but only seems able to represent multi-national corporations."

"Even though we predicted that the plant could close, it's devastating when it actually happens," said CAW Local 27 President Tim Carrie. "This is truly rotten behaviour. Now we're going to do everything that we can for our members."

CAW Electro-Motive chairperson Bob Scott said that members learned this morning that the plant would close - the company gave the union absolutely no advance notice. "Imagine the shock that our members felt at hearing about losing their job, on the radio," said Scott. "It's unbelievable that Caterpillar would string our members along and lock them out in the cold for six weeks, when it had no intention of reopening the plant," said Scott. "This is absolutely sickening behaviour on the part of this corporation."

Caterpillar, Everone Should Be Offended

Something here does not add up.

On one hand... Caterpillar's 4th quarter results for 2011 surpass expectations, their full-time work force grows by 20%, and they expect record profits for 2012 - incidently measured in billions of dollars. Chairman and Chief Executive Doug Oberhelman said, "We're expecting 2012 to be another year of good growth,"

On the other hand ... Electro-Motive, a subsidiary of Caterpillar, despite strong sales orders and profitable projections, this company is demanding pay cuts of 50 percent from the 500 workers at their London plant who helped make all their profits. The company has stated that without these cuts the plant will close.

Caterpillar was allowed to purchase Electro-Motive a Canadian success story, under Foreign investment rules, Which state for the sale to be approved there must be a net benefit to Canada, can someone please tell me what the Net Benefit for Canada is?

We all must ask... How greedy can Caterpillar and Electro-Motive be, and when will the Government step up to the plate and stop Multi National Companies buying and closing Canadian plants? Do we all have to be working for half the pay or unemployed before they say enough is enough?

Quotes

"The Stephen Harper government is entirely in the pocket of the corporate elite and has shown absolute disregard for Canadian workers and their families," ...... "I am disgusted at this government and its indifference towards the suffering of workers and the unemployed. The Harper government was elected by Canadians, but only seems able to represent multi-national corporations." Ken Lewenza

"We have the case of an employer here which is clearly not meeting Ontario's legitimate and recent expectations" Dalton McGuinty Dalton McGuinty slams Electro-Motive over steep wage cuts

"This is the question: In the drive to be competitive, how low will we go?" Anne Jarvis Jarvis: True cost of cheap stuff

"This isn't a fight just about us. It's a fight for the middle class across Canada" Nelson Sarty Locked Out Worker Solidarity among Electro-Motive workers as they picket at dealerships

"There's no reason they can't at least continue to give their workers what they've been given over the last number of years"Local 444 president Rick Laporte Link to Article

"At a time when inequality is rapidly growing it's vital that we take a stand with this company" CAW national president Ken Lewenza Link to Article

"We are virtually alone in North America in perceiving unions as not being helpful to a company. In the rest of the world, especially in Europe, unions are thought of as a positive force. Unions have been beneficial in terms of raising productivity, and stability, especially in the auto industry. " Pradeep Kumar, Queens University Link to Article

"Today's announcement is as outrageous and it is infuriating," "This corporation is turning out record profits and making money hand over fist, and at the same time cutting our members off at the knees. " Ken Lewenza Link to Article

"The rally was an opportunity to take a stand against the erosion of the middle class and a take it or leave it, approach to collective bargaining on the part of corporations. This is about workers across the spectrum uniting and making a stand. It is going to send a message to governments across this country, that they better start to protect the workers. " Dave Nickel, retired teacher Link to Article

"When a powerful multinational negotiates in bad faith, it becomes a story that governments in Queen's Park and Ottawa can no longer wash their hands of. To put it in language that resonates with Premier Dalton McGuinty: When a bully tries to humiliate people, you can't just watch in silence" Martin Regg Cohn Link to Article

Articles & Images

Locked-out Electro-Motive plant to close
Caterpillar racks up huge profits while Electro-Motive lockout continues
Images From CLC Rally
Caterpillar Picketed Today in a Dozen Canadian Cities
A race to the bottom
Ottawa favours foreign businesses over Canadian employees
Download Rally Poster
Background Information
London & District Labour Council
CAW Information
Caterpillar lockout signals a nasty turn in labour strife
CBC News

Exciting News at CAW Local 199

Today I am pleased to report two very good news Stories.

Casino Security Officers

A vote was held last Friday at The Niagara Fallsview Casino so that Security officers could select the union they wanted to represent them. On the ballot they had two Unions to choose from, Teamsters Canada and the CAW. It is with great pleasure that I announce they overwhelmingly voted in favour to join the CAW. We are currently awaiting news from the National Union to confirm they will be joining CAW and also inform us when we can start representing the Security Officers. Currently the Canadian Labour Congress, the CAW and OPSEU are discussing the transition. We apologise to our new CAW brothers and sisters for the delay, please be patient. As soon as we get the green light we will arrange committee training, a Unit Meeting and go over all your workplace issues. Thanks to all the security officers for your show of support and for selecting the CAW.

General Motors Recalls 42

GM Plant Chairperson Terry White announced, on behalf of the Bargaining Committee, that there will be recall of 42 permanently laid off workers to GM St Catharines. The majority of these brothers and sisters have been driving back and forth to Oshawa for over a decade. I can't tell you how happy I am to welcome them back to St Catharines and Local 199. This news has been a long time coming and is a testimony to the commitment of the Leadership, who even after ten years are still fighting on behalf of our laid off members. The recall will take place on February 13th 2012. The Leadership will continue to fight until all of our members have the opportunity to come back to work in St Catharines.

Laid off/Recall List

GM recalling 42 workers, investing another $8.8 million at Glendale

IMPORTANT anyone who has changed addresses should notify GM of their new address and update their contact information.

CAW and CEP to begin talks on new union

The executive boards of the Canadian Auto Workers and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers unions have unanimously approved a process to explore the possibility of creating a new Canadian union as soon as mid-2013. Link to Press Release

Squeezing the Middle

Sociologists have convincingly documented rising inequality in Canada. A lucky few - large business owners, top executives, highly specialized professionals - have captured the lion's share of the meagre gains generated by our troubled economy. Statistics reveal the top one per cent of Canadians pocketed 31 per cent of all new income generated in 10 years. The bottom 99 per cent had to fight over the rest. Read More

Link to articles by Ken Lewenza

Thousands turn out for London rally to support locked-out Caterpillar employees

LONDON, ONT - A crowd of more than 10,000 descended upon this city's Victoria Park to support local workers who have been locked out of their jobs since the new year. They came from all over, from Timmins, Sudbury, and Pennsylvania in scores of buses. They came to protest corporate greed and Stephen Harper. The prime minister didn't come, although he was invited. "We need you down here to support Canadian workers," yelled London Mayor Joe Fontana. "Get your ass down here!" Read More

Management has warmed to work stoppages

Business lobbyists used to express grave concern about the economic impact of strikes. Those concerns were always overstated; time lost in work stoppages has declined by 90 per cent from the 1970s. Nevertheless, companies traditionally complain that work stoppages damage sales, productivity and, of course, profits.

Read Article

Casino Security to Select Union

On Friday 20th January Security Workers at Casino Niagara will have the opportunity to join the CAW. There will be presentations from two Unions, CAW Canada & The Teamsters Canada. The presentations will be limited to 10 minutes per union and will start at 9 a.m., 1:00 p.m. & 5:00 p.m.

NUPGE/OPSEU members will be eligible to vote anytime between 9 a.m. & 6 p.m.

Notice of Representation Vote
CAW Brochure

CAW Communications - Contact

January 13th 2012, In the news this week; Electro-Motive Workers Day of Action on Saturday, January 21, Protesting Newfoundland Fish Plant Closures, Canada's Employment Numbers Paint Sad Picture for 2012, Union-Art Cartoon, Staff Appointment , Government Benefits 2012, Fat Cat Poster - Electro-Motive January 21 Rally. To Read more, Click here

2012 Alzheimer Walkathon

Local 199's team raised $2,000 last year we would like to continue our support for the Alzheimers Walkathon and match or exceed this donation in 2012. Any member who would like to join the walk or sponsor a CAW Walker can do so at the following website www.walkformemories.ca and search CAW or John Pula or make a personal donation to a CAW Walker at the CAW Hall or in the Glendale Plant.

The Alzheimer Society thanks CAW members for your ongoing and generous support.

Walk For Memories
January 29th, 10 a.m.
Pen Centre

Education Bursaries

Twenty-five (25) bursaries, valued at $2,000 each, are awarded annually to sons or daughters of CAW members, and CAW members entering their first year of full-time post secondary education, in a Canadian institution. This is an entrance bursary and not renewable for students entering subsequent years of study.

Submissions should include: An official application form signed by a Local Union Officer Letter of recommendation from a teacher, principal or Community Activist Transcript/record of marks(most current record i.e. mid-term report is acceptable) Please note that your grades are only one of several factors that will be considered. A committee appointed by the CAW Council Executive Board and/or CAW National Executive Board will make the selection of candidates, and the decision of the committee is final. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Application Deadline: April 30, 2012, postmarked no later than April 16, 2012 More Information

Around the Local

The past three months has been a busy period around the local. No less than seven of local 199 seventeen units has been at the bargaining table; Brunner, Ed Lean Ford, Niagara Motors, Spencer ARL, and Iafrate Machine Tool. I am please to announce that despite the tough economic environment we managed to secure contracts at all of these locations without a work stoppage, talks continue at Knights Facilities & Securitas. These contracts could not have been negotiated without all the hard work of the respective chairpersons and the support of the membership at these units. Thanks must also go to Doug Orr and Mike Menicanin for their support.

Local 199 Plant Collections

Christmas is a tough time for many people in the community once again our members made significant donations to help the community, plant gate collections in the past month totaled over $30,000. Tooney Tuesday, raised $2,500, Community Care we raised $11,500, the turkey raffle raised $2,500, a collection was also made for the tragic death of contractor Eric Kopman’s family. On behalf of the executive board we would like to thank all Local 199 members and retirees for the compassion and community sprit.

Community Christmas Dinner

On December 27th we hosted a Christmas Dinner for the community, busses shuttled residents from Welland, Niagara Falls and St Catharines. I would like to thank all the volunteers who make this annual event such a success.

New Unit for Local 199

Spencer ARL Parts Plant Opens in Niagara Falls A new auto parts manufacturing facility has officially opened in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Niagara Falls City Councillors attended a brief opening ceremony on December 14 for Spencer ARL, which is part of the supply chain for the new GM transmission assembly line at the St. Catharines, General Motors Engine Plant. The new manufacturing facility currently has 25 employees and is expected to grow to more than 100 people as production increases. As members of management, city councillors and employees looked on as Wayne Gates, said he was very proud of his members. "These employees are a highly qualified and skilled workforce", most of the new employees worked at either Edscha or Affinia, two former CAW units. "When these workers lost their jobs and stopped paying union dues we never turned our back on them"

"We supported them through a very difficult period. We offered assistance to get them retrained, with resume writing and other job search skills through the CAW Action Centre, ultimately helping them to find a good paying job," "I've been doing this for over thirty years and this is the proudest I have ever been of our union, getting these brothers and sisters back to work," Wayne Gates

Congratulations

On behalf of the Executive Board of CAW Local 199 and all the elected leadership of this Local Union, I would like to congratulate our members on our 75th Anniversary. It is a truly incredible feeling to have been part of such a long and colourful history of UAW/CAW Local 199. To commemorate our seventy five years serving the community, we have published a 2012 Calendar. The Calendar was mailed to our retirees and handed out in all the units. I would like to thank the sponsors of the Calendar for the congratulatory messages. Anyone who has not received a copy can pick one up at the Union Hall.

Archives

Reports from Wayne Gates & Archived Articles