"We Walk Across Bridges Built by Those Who Passed Before Us"
Seventy four years ago today workers at McKinnon's Industries made a bold and brave statement; they put the company on notice and joined a union. When these workers at McKinnon's signed the UAW Charter they formed the second United Auto Workers Local in Canada. Today we celebrate 74 years of solidarity, the collective bargaining gains we have made, acknowledge the positive changes we have made to our community, and society as a whole.
Back in the 1930's working in McKinnon's was no picnic, work was hard, dirty and dangerous and the benefits were few. As a reminder for us all I have included a link to a Speech written by Pudge Dawson, who first worked in the plant and served our members back in the late thirties. It is an interesting read.
Our collective bargaining gains could not have been accomplished without the courage of our predecessors, who fought the boss at every turn, walked the picket line and stood shoulder to shoulder when times were tough. The First Contract signed in 1937 consisted of only one or two pages an a few paragraphs. Today our contract has grown to hundreds of pages, a Master and Local Agreement not to mention all the supplemental agreements. We certainly have come a long way in the past 74 years.
Today I would like to congratulate all our members and acknowledge the foresight solidarity and determination of those workers who took the first step and formed our local union.
As we enter our seventy fifth year, I would like to talk about some of the things the Executive Board are planning for our 75th anniversary. We will produce a special 75th anniversary edition of the 199 news, review and update our website, have a Logo Design Contest, spice up the 2011 Labour Day Parade and end the year with a dinner celebration with special guests and speakers. Any event the local is involved with this coming year will have a 75th anniversary flavour.
With that in mind I would like to ask for your help in making 2011 a memorable year. If you have pictures of the plant, our members past and present, our units, magazines, old news paper clipping, we would like to see them. Anything that comes in will be copied and returned, all donations will be welcomed and saved in our archives. The best will be published in the 199 news and on our website.
We also need volunteers to help with every event. Our standing committees will all be asked to take a lead role in making 2011 a year the community will remember for a long time. Please take some time to reflect on the past, celebrate our victories, acknowledge our past, and help us make this a special year.
"I consider it an honour and privilege to represent you and be part of Local 199's history."
Happy Anniversary
Wayne Gates
President CAW Local 199
