Building Brock University

by Nathan Bell & Peter Scott

Brock Campaign at McKinnons 1962

The labour movement has always played an important role in the Niagara region, yet its role may never have been as important as it was in the early 1960's. At that time, there were extensive discussions regarding opening a new university in the area. The United Auto Workers Union (now CAW) decided to raise money to further the cause. By the end of 1963, members of the local union had raised and donated over $500,000 to Brock University which was currently under construction in St. Catharines.

We had the good fortune of speaking with Welland's Member of Parliament, Malcolm Allen about the role labour played in the building of Brock University.

As a youngster, Malcolm moved with his family from Glasgow, Scotland and settled in the Niagara region. His father worked at McKinnon's Industries to support the family and dreamed of giving his children an opportunity to a post secondary education. When discussions about a local university began, Malcolm's father and other UAW workers jumped at the opportunity to raise funds for the school.

"At that time it was unheard of for the son of a factory worker to attend university or college. University students were children of lawyers or doctors. We didn't have that opportunity until Brock University opened up. This university allowed us to have a chance at a different life, something we never dreamed of before.'

Malcolm's appreciation of the Auto Workers Union is sincere.

"Without the enormous contribution from the workers and the union as a whole, there is little to no chance that a child coming from a working class family would have had the chance to experience this opportunity. What the workers managed to donate to the university and its students was an unprecedented amount of money at that time"

A payroll deduction for each worker who signed up was made. The amount on average was 4 percent of the workers wage, approximately one days wages per year, a pricely sum in any decade. This paved the way for thousands like Malcolm to pursue their dreams.

The donation which came from McKinnons workers gave the Brock Founding Fund it's biggest boost, the $518,000 donated was the largest single donation by employees of a single employer to any university in Canada!

James Hogan,Dr. James Gibson with Bill Marshall of the UAW

"It was quite remarkable to see the power of the labour movement come together, and every Brock student, past and present, should be grateful for the contribution made by the UAW workers. Sadly, to this day there is nothing in Brock acknowledging the UAW workers' generous contributions to the initial building of the university. The majority of students are completely unaware that the UAW even contributed at all."

Gordie Lambert hands our UAW bursaries to Brock Students

Local 199 also helped students in other ways; to help prevent students from falling into tremendous debt they negotiated a Tuition Assistance program. Malcolm explained that although he originally had to pay for his tuition and would be reimbursed if he passed. To this day, both the CAW and Local 199 have a number of different bursaries for students. (For more information about these bursaries and the tuition assistance programs CAW members should contact the benefit rep or visit our website www.caw199.com)

Malcolm expressed a general disappointment with the near non-existence of labour education in Canadian elementary and high schools.

"Labour is missing from the curriculum. From a high school context, the only labour education a student receives is generally about the Winnipeg strike, which is taught in history class. Unless the students are fortunate enough to have a teacher interested in labour, they are completely unaware of the many issues regarding the labour movement."

The Autoworkers generous donations paved the way for the opening of the Brock university and their efforts gave thousands of local students the chance to achieve a post secondary education their parents only dreamed of.

Malcolm Allen credits his success to having the opportunity to access a university education. He was the first person in his family to obtain a university degree, a degree that helped him become the first member of Local 199 to become a Member of Parliament.

Nathan Bell, Brock Student, Malcolm Allen former Brock Student & MP

Tuition Assistance, Dependant ( Hewitt & Associates)

Dependants of GM members who are entering post secondary education can apply for dependant tuition assistance funding. The amount of the yearly benefit is $1,300. The tuition assistance is a taxable benefit for the recipient (the student) Application forms are available from the GM benefit Centre.

CAW Bursaries

There are (25) CAW bursaries that are awarded to sons/daughters of CAW members in good standing entering their first year of post secondary education (i.e. university, community college, technological institute, teachers' college, nursing school, etc.) One bursary will be available for CAW members with at least one year seniority attending their first year of post secondary education.

This is an entrance bursary and is not renewable for students entering subsequent years of study.To learn more about CAW bursaries, follow the links. CAW Bursaries

CAW Local 199

CAW Local 199 has three bursaries of $500 for Brock University. One is for the dependant of a Coutts Member the recipient is selected by by Local 199.

The other two bursaries are approved by Brock University. Student must apply through Brock University to be considered these bursaries. Brock University 905-688-5550. Brock University Bursaries

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