Women's Auxiliary #50 UAW/CAW Local 199

Founding Members of the Women's Auxiliary #50

In the Beginning

Interest in creating Women's Auxiliaries started during the UAW organizing drive in November of 1936. The first women's auxiliary was formed in Michigan in 1937 to take part in the Flint sit-down strike in January of 1937 where they played a pivotal role in the strike action. The women's Auxiliary and Emergency Brigade also participated in the "Battle of the Overpass" at Ford on May 27th, 1937. In subsequent strikes, the Women's Auxiliary were active is setting up strike kitchens to feed the members, arranging benefit dances, and holding meetings to gain sympathy for the strikers. Because of the successes of these early days during the late thirties, thirty-three Women's Auxiliaries were established, including Auxiliary # 50 in St. Catharines.

The Women's Auxiliary # 50 of Local 199 was formed on November 1937, this was only eleven months after local 199 signed its charter on December 15th 1936. In the beginning, it was a difficult task to find twenty women that were needed to form an auxiliary, but finally the charter was signed on November 14th 1937.

Duties of the Auxiliary

Back in the thirties being involved in the Union was a real family affair. The UAW quickly realized in order for the Union to succeed, they needed not only to win over the workers, it was very important that the workers families were firmly behind them. In order for the union leadership to be effective and to do a good job representing the membership, they required help and support from their families. If workers had to go on strike to make gains for their family, the workers families needed to understand what they were fighting for. For the general public to support the workers, they too needed to be educated. The initial purpose of organizing an auxiliary was to bring together spouses, daughters, mothers and sisters of Union members. Education was a priority, they would learn what unions were all about, their principles, the issues of the day, and to offer aid and support to the membership when it was needed.

Financing the Auxiliary

To put things in perspective, when the auxiliary was first organized the decade was known as the hungry thirties, money and food was hard to come by, At the time workers were being paid approximately 25 /45 cents per hour. The Auxiliary membership dues were set at 15 cents per member, per month. The dues were approximately half an hours pay per month. As in most organizations finding funding to finance the work of the auxiliary was hard to do and hampered their progress. Sister Annie Dunlop suggested that they run a bingo game. With no money to buy prizes the suggestion was initially turned down. However, Sister Dunlop was persistent and continued to push the idea forward. The Local union offered to give the auxiliary a small loan to purchase prizes, rent a hall and the equipment needed. The first bingo game was held in 1938 in Dunn's hall on Queenston Street and later moved to Queen Street. Eventually enough money was raised to repay the loan, purchase equipment and starting helping the community. Sister Dunlop’s imitative paid dividends for many years to come. Other funding initiatives included; bazaars bake sales, auctions, rummage sales, draws, and catering.

Home Base

Throughout the years the Women's Auxiliary had several different offices. In 1937, the founding members rented office space above the St Catharines Standard on Queen Street, moved to the Labour Temple on Mary Street, then to the UAW offices on Carlisle Street. In 1973 the Auxiliary moved to 124 Bunting Road in St. Catharines. When the Local Union built the new union hall in 1973 and hired a staff to handle the catering duties, it was at this time the cooking and banquet duties of the Women"s Auxiliary ended .

Soup for Strikers

In 1941, the union was forced out on strike by McKinnon's Industries the Women's Auxiliary went to work supporting the membership. Sister Campbell took over organizing the kitchen to feed the strikers. With a shortage of funds to purchase food, the auxiliary had to rely on donations from local farmers, merchants and restaurants. The Auxiliary worked in the kitchen from 6 am to 12 pm everyday. Hot soup was always available for the picketers. With only twenty auxiliary members as you can imagine feeding several thousand men was no small task.

After the strike was over the ranks of the Auxiliary grew, younger members joined and subsequently were put to work. In 1948 McKinnon"s workers once again went on strike the auxiliary expanded the menu, making tea, coffee, soup and sandwiches to feed the picketers. Volunteers which incidentally included men who were unable to physically walk the picket line assisted them whenever necessary.

In 1955, the auxiliary's task was made more difficult by the fact that the contract expired in September and any lengthy dispute would run into the winter months. This strike lasted through Christmas and the coldest part of the winter. The women's auxiliary had to not only feed the strikers, they wanted to ensure the children had a happy Christmas. The auxiliary went to work making hundreds of dolls and clothes. By the end of December giant bags of toys were distributed to over one thousand families. Without the Women's Auxiliary Christmas morning in 1955 would have been a very bleak and solemn affair.

The 1948 strike lasted 150 days, the 1955 strike last 148 days. Without the support of the Auxiliary it would have been unlikely that the strikers would have endured as well as they did. This support enabled the workers to remain steadfast and make the gains that they did. 1955 Strike CBC News

Supporting those in need

Over the years, the Women's Auxiliary role continued to expand. They championed many causes and supported a long list of community organizations. Women's Auxiliary #50 would cook for retiree's parties, members' weddings, stag parties, funerals, sports and retirees banquets. They donated toys for Christmas, raised funds for and volunteered for a variety of community groups. Helped fund the building of Pelham Road Medical Clinic, donated a pool table, sponsored the renovation of two horses on the Port Dalhousie Carousel, as well as supporting striking workers and their families.

Teen Dances

Keeping teenagers occupied is an age old problem for all parents. Back in the 1950's the Women's Auxiliary, working with Pudge Dawson and the recreation committee, helped to organize monthly Teen Dances which included dancing contests at the Union Hall. They served hotdogs and pop to the enthusiastic teenagers that attended.

Between Stikes

The members would make monthly visits to nursing homes to play bingo, serving tea and sandwiches to the residents. At Christmas time, Associated Charities would provide a list of toys they needed for children in the community. The Women's Auxiliary would make knitted sweater sets, and purchase Children's toys every year.

One of the many benefits for the members of the Women’s Auxiliary was the camaraderie and support of the members. In supporting the workers they knew they were making a difference and were contributing. At the same time they could help and support each other during what must have been difficult times at home. It wasn't all hard work, the Auxiliary had countless social events with other Women's Auxiliaries. Aux #50 had quite the bowling team in 1992, consisting of Roxanne McCormick, Carol Seburn, Doreen McChisney, Vivian Buetow, Frances Amy and Lynda McGean winning a the top honours in the inter auxiliary bowling tournament three years in a row. Over the years as they worked and played together the women of Auxiliary #50 knew in their hearts, they were not only supporting the workers they were also helping to improve society as a whole.

The Women's Auxiliary # 50 served the Niagara community in many capacities for 67 years. Whether it was supporting members during strikes or raising funds for community groups, this small group of dedicated women made a major contribution to the labour movement. It is safe to say that the Women's auxiliary of Local 199 made a tremendous difference in many lives. Without their help and support, workers who went on strike would not have been able to endure the harsh realities of a long winter strike. With a belly full of hot soup workers stood shoulder to shoulder, not only overcoming the harsh winter, but they were also victorious in defeating the boss, making considerable gains for countless families and many generations to come.

Community Beneficiaries

Over the decades the Women's Auxiliary have helped and supported many groups and organizations, which includes...

Big Sisters
Big Brothers
Cancer Foundation
Associated Service for Christmas Toys
Bethlehem Place
Children's Sports teams
Crones Association
Cystic Fibrosis
Canadian Institute for the Blind
Christian Benefit Shop
Deaf & Blind Homes
Food Bank, monthly collections
Heart & Stroke Foundation
General Hospital
Hotel Dieu, oncology clinic
Heart Fund
Education Bursaries
Kiwanis Club
Occupational Clinic
Optimist Club
United Way
Mental health
Metro Lodge
Extendicare
Women’s Place
Port Dalhousie Carousel
Pelham Medical Clinic
Shaver Hospital
Nursing Homes

Presidents of the Women's Auxiliary

Over the years there has been sixteen different president of the women's auxiliary #50, two presidents were elected several times, Irene Williams and Gloria Gates, the longest service was by Irene Williamson who served as president for 12 years.

Elizabeth Brown (1937/1940)
Mrs. Crozier (1940/1941)
Mrs. Chisholm (1941-/1942)
Violet Blair (1942 /1945)
Janet Bennett (1945/1948)
Irene Williamson (1948/1951)
Rae Race (1951/1954)
Bev Hawes (1954 /1956)
Mary McPherson (1956/1958)
Peggy Pritchett (1956/1958)
Irene Williamson (1961/1968)
Gloria Gates (1969 /1973)
Bernice Brisbois (1973 /1975)
Gloria Gates (1975 /1977)
Shirley Watkinson (1977 /1980)
Shirley Brodeur (1980/1983)
Gloria Gates (1983/1986)
Laurie Maynard (1986 /1988)
Irene Williamson (1988/1990)
Viola Montreuil (1990/2004)

Women's Auxiliary #50 Founding Members

Helen Baird
Violet Blair
Jean Brown
Elizabeth Campbell
Marion Dow
Annie Dunlop
Margaret Garrie
Mrs. Hough
Lynda Smith
Ethel Wheatley

Women's Auxiliary known Members

Donna Adair
Leona Allan
Elise Baker
Francis Boozan
Jean Connell
Lillian Eckert
Teresa Emberson
Teresa Gadula
Gloria Gates
Gerry Ingram
Dolores Lambert
Peg Lambert
Laurie Maynard
Viola Montreuil
Doreen McChesney
Ella Pirie
Ray Race
Ethel Saveal
Irene Williamson
Audrey Wynn

In Solidarity
Peter Scott
Education Committee

Link to More Images of The Women's Auxiliary #50

Click here to view more articles about our unions history

Click here to view our photograph Album