Labor & Employment Law

CAW Election Heats Up

By Michael Fitzgibbon

The Globe and Mail has an article about the CAW election that will result by reason of Buzz Hargrove's decision to retire as CAW president.  Apparently, this is the "first contested presidential election since the union was established by splitting off from the United Auto Workers in 1985." There are some interesting comments in the article including from a National Representative from BC who wrote to Mr. Hargrove and is reported as stating that:

?If you proceed with your intention to have the NEB endorse a candidate now, then I believe this will cause great divisions in the union,? Denise Kellahan, a CAW national representative from British Columbia, wrote to Mr. Hargrove eight days ago. ?I also believe using a show of hands in the staff meeting has become a major problem. Staff are tired of being told they are disloyal if they want to vote democratically on key issues. This has got to stop.?

It will be interesting times ahead and we will have to pay close attention to the results of the election.

Update:  According to a press release, the CAW President Buzz Hargrove will announce tomorrow who will receive the CAW's official endorsement for both the national president and secretary-treasurer positions.

Full post as published by Thoughts from a Management Lawyer on July 07, 2008 (boomark / email).