TORONTO, Aug. 22, 2012 /CNW/ - Nearly 1,000 CAW delegates have voted unanimously in favour of moving forward with creating a new union with the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers union (CEP).
The vote is the first of two before the new union can be formed. CEP will be voting on the new union proposal during its convention October 14-17 in Quebec City.
"This new union has the potential to change the way workers are represented in this country, bringing about stronger democracy in the workplace and greater community involvement," said CAW President Ken Lewenza, following the vote. "This union will pose a serious challenge to the unrepresentative, unfair economic and political systems workers now find themselves caught in."
CEP President Dave Coles thanked CAW delegates for supporting the shared vision of a new union and accepting change and a new kind of labour movement. He stressed that the power of the new union is in its potential to build a better life for workers in this country and around the world.
The vote followed presentations and speeches by CAW President Ken Lewenza, CEP President Dave Coles and CEP Secretary-Treasurer Gaetan Menard and CAW Secretary-Treasurer Peter Kennedy, the two co-chairs of the CAW-CEP joint Proposal Committee.
The new union would represent more than 300,000 members in every province.
For more information on the New Union Project proposal, please visit in English: http://www.newunionproject.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Final.Report.pdf In French: http://www.projetnouveausyndicat.ca/rapport-final-du-comite-de-propositions-scep-tca/
SOURCE: Canadian Auto Workers Union (CAW)
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