Move would follow lead of UAW actions for Volkswagen local in Tennessee
After being thwarted by a failed organization vote at Volkswagen’s Chattanooga, Tenn. plant, the UAW plans to start a local run by pro-union hourly employees. Jerry Dias, president of Unifor (formerly Canadian Auto Workers and Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada unions), sees a possibility of a similar action on this side of the border as well.
“It’s a good idea; it’s something we may very well do,” Dias told The Windsor Star.
In an effort to boost membership, Dias is referring to foreign-owned non-union manufacturers in Canada, Toyota in particular.
From The Windsor Star:
In April, Unifor “temporarily” withdrew its request to represent Toyota workers after the automaker said it did not have sufficient numbers of signed membership cards to call a certification vote. Toyota has said that it employs about 8,400 hourly production and maintenance employees at the two plants.
Dias has stated the union could make a decision on starting a local without a ratification vote sometime this fall.
