TORONTO/OTTAWA, Nov. 12, 2012 /CNW/ - CAW-CEP Proposal Committee has decided that the founding convention for the new union will take place the weekend leading into Labour Day 2013 -starting on Friday, August 30 and concluding on September 1. The decision was made during a meeting of the committee in Toronto.
The timing will allow new union convention delegates to participate behind their new union banner in Labour Day events in their own communities.
The founding convention will be tasked with approving the constitution of the new union, the new name and logo, and elect its first leaders (including three national officers, three regional directors; and the first members of the inaugural National Executive Board).
"Launching the new union on Labour Day weekend is fitting and symbolic," said CAW Secretary Treasurer and committee co-chair Peter Kennedy. "Marching behind our new banner will be an electrifying beginning for an organization that will inject new energy and hope into the labour movement."
"The first three national gatherings of the new union will occur in Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal. This is a vivid demonstration of the inclusive, nationwide character of our new organization," said CEP Secretary Treasurer and committee co-chair Gaétan Ménard. "Our new union will have unprecedented scope and power, in every region of Canada, and virtually every major industry."
The Proposal Committee also suggested locations for the first meetings of the new union's Canadian Council (the body which will gather together delegates from across the union in years when there is no full convention).
The first meetings of the Canadian Council would occur in Vancouver in 2014, and in Montreal in 2015.
The Proposal Committee also began the process of establishing the six working groups to include the following areas Communications; Constitution; Implementation; Organizing; Staff Relations; and Convention Planning.
The crucial issue of the new union's name and logo will be determined on the basis of a thorough process overseen by the Communications working group, including consultation with media and design experts; professional testing; and with members of the two unions.
The Proposal Committee consists of eight senior leaders from each union, and is co-chaired by the Secretary-Treasurers of the two unions: Gaétan Ménard for the CEP, and Peter Kennedy for the CAW.
The first phase of the New Union project culminated in the approval of the idea by the CAW and CEP conventions. The Proposal Committee will meet again in March to review the progress of the working groups.
Full reports on the New Union project, including the complete report of the Proposal Committee ("Towards a New Union") can be found at: www.newunionproject.ca.
SOURCE: Canadian Auto Workers Union (CAW)
CEP Secretary-Treasurer Gaétan Ménard (613) 230-5800 ext. 265; (819)775-6980
CAW Communications Director Shannon Devine (cell) 416-302-1699
[email protected]
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