Gordie Lambert started working at McKinnon's industries in 1940 until he retired in 1980. (Left to right - Jim Connell, Ron Adair, Gordie Lambert)

"A Tribute to Gordie Lambert" GM Plant Chair

On January 1st 1980 Gordon L. Lambert Retired from General Motors. Gordie worked at General Motors for 40 years, 39 of them were in an elected position of one kind or another. For 18 years from (1953 -1971) Gordie represented the membership as the GM Plant Chairperson.

Gordie was known across Canada for his fiery oratory and his ability to stir up a crowd in much the same manner as an old time preacher. It has been many years since Gordie's booming voice could be heard over the noise in the foundry, while he blasted a supervisor, but many of our retirees still recall those days.

Eddie Child recollected that when he was the off shift committee person he had to call Gordie a few times at one and two in the morning to deal with work stoppages and walk outs, this was a regular event in those days. Workers would quite often just stop working and walk off the job. Over a six year period Eddie had to call in the plant chair in at least eight times for such stoppages. Gordie never complained and would come in to work in the middle of the night to deal with the issues, settle things down and get everyone back to work quickly. In doing so Gordie averted what could have been a volatile situation and could have resulted in lost time for a lot of our members.

Len Harrison said that although Gordie Lambert and I were political rivals for many years, I think it is fair to say we respected each other views and opinions. We certainly agreed upon most issues that were fundamental to the union movement, even if our political view was different.

After 18 years as GM Plant Chairperson in 1971 Gordie was defeated by John Washuta, John Defeated Gordie again in 1974 for the position of Vice President. In his 40 years at GM Gordie held a variety of positions, Union Committeeman, Trustee, GM Plant Chair, Chairman of all plants, Vice President of Local 199, Delegate to UAW Council, Canadian Labour Congress President of the St Catharines and district labour council.

On one occasion back in 1948 Gordie created quite a commotion. During a strike to boost the workers moral, Gordie Lambert, Porky Bigford, Lloyd Hawke and Ken Brisbois, stopped traffic on Ontario Street. Outside the main entrance of McKinnon's Industries, Gordie and his crew, two dressed in top hat and tails representing management, two dressed in coveralls representing the workers, took turns riding up and down the street in a horse buggy. Initially the workers pulled the cart and management rode. To the cheers of all the workers present the roles were reversed, Gordie and Porky Bigford, sat back, smoked 25 cent cigars, as management took their turn pulling the workers!

Gerry Michaud tells a story of racism in Toronto, when the bargaining committee from Local 199 went to Toronto, the Hotel they were booked into refused to let Pudge Dawson stay at the hotel because of he was black. Gordie was furious, cancelled the rooms for the entire committee and moved them all to another hotel that would accommodate Pudge.

When Gordon L. Lambert retired over 600 friend attended the celebration which took place in February1980. Those in attendance included; Bob White, Canadian Director UAW, Cliff Pilkey, President OFL, Jim Connell President Local 199, & Bill Marshall International rep.

With humility Gordon L. Lambert thanked the membership and leadership for allowing him to play a small part in the gallant struggles and victories of the men and women of UAW Local 199, which he said was the greatest union in the world. Gordie ended his speech by once again thanking the membership and concluded by saying, representing the members of Local 199 had made his life a meaningful one.

I have fought the fight
I have finished my course
I have kept the faith

Gordon L. Lambert

It is our responsibility not to forget the workers like Gordie Lambert, that paved the way for us.

Peter Scott

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