One employee said that some things they’re looking forward to are more RRSP contribution options and better medical and dental coverage.
“The local members will make the decisions about who represents them and what happens at their workplace,” Murray continued. “They will be electing their own local executive.”
He explained that Gibraltar Mine was originally represented by CAW. “When the price of copper dropped the mine was closed down and when it reopened in 2004 there were only a handful of CAW members left in the community,” he said. “When it re-commissioned the ownership was partnered with LEDCOR, who was represented by CLAC.”
Murray said that the remaining few original employees carried the flag for CAW. “They felt that they would be better represented by us---CLAC was an outside force that would collect their dues and take everything out of town.”
He said that operating the CAW office on Oliver Street will also support the local economy. “We take pride in being a social union----participating and supporting our communities,” he continued. “We support local food banks and other social organizations.”
For more information about what CAW does in communities, including partnerships with First Nations groups, visit www.caw.ca
