Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Canadian Auto Workers vote to merge with rival, form 'super union']]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/23/canadian-auto-workers-vote-to-merge-with-rival-form-super-unio/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/23/canadian-auto-workers-vote-to-merge-with-rival-form-super-unio/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/23/canadian-auto-workers-vote-to-merge-with-rival-form-super-unio/#commentsFiled under: ,

CAW president Ken Lewenza gestures with arms open

How would you respond to the headline "No More Auto Workers Union"? Our northern neighbors will likely be bidding goodbye to their Canadian Auto Workers Union, as the membership has agreed to merge with the country's Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union.

The Vancouver Sun is reporting that a unanimous vote of delegates at the CAW's convention has approved the merger. If finalized, the new organization will have more than 300,000 members, most of them working in manufacturing, communications and transportation. The CEP still has to vote on the proposal in October, but its president seems bullish on the merger, describing it as a "bigger and better union," according to the report.

CAW president Ken Lewenza (pictured above) agreed, saying, "This union will pose a serious challenge to the unrepresentative, unfair economic and political systems workers now find themselves caught in."

A new name for the combined organization has not yet been determined.

Canadian Auto Workers vote to merge with rival, form 'super union' originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Aug 2012 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>canadian auto workerscawcepcommunications energy and paperworkers unionken lewenzauawunionunionizingunionsunited auto workers unionThu, 23 Aug 2012 17:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20307560/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/08/23/canadian-auto-workers-vote-to-merge-with-rival-form-super-unio/20307560/article-detail.xml 20307560 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/canadaautonegotiations.3631686d62a34caca6ef535cbc29453a-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/canadaautonegotiations.3631686d62a34caca6ef535cbc29453a-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Nissan's Mississippi plant is chief UAW target]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/11/nissans-mississippi-plant-is-chief-uaw-target/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/11/nissans-mississippi-plant-is-chief-uaw-target/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/11/nissans-mississippi-plant-is-chief-uaw-target/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2013 Nissan Altima goes into production in Canton, Miss.

Historically, automotive plants in the South have been impervious to efforts by organization drives by the United Auto Workers. In 2001, the UAW was rejected two-to-one by Nissan workers at its Smyrna, Tenn. plant. And in 2005 and 2007, the UAW failed to get enough interest at Nissan's plant in Canton, Miss.

But the UAW is reportedly ready to give it a go again in Canton. Union officials say the group has been discussing the possibility with workers there, and reactions are not all positive. UAW President Bob King says Nissan officials have been actively trying to dissuade its Canton employees from cooperating with the union by using scare tactics.

"Fear and intimidation should not be part of the equation when workers are deciding whether they want to be represented by the union," King is quoted saying in the Reuters article. "Workers should be able to hear equally from both sides and make a decision for themselves."

In Nissan's defense, a company spokesman says the accusations of intimidation are not true.

If it is to succeed in Canton, the UAW will need to win over the workers, but to do so, it will likely have to overcome Nissan's apparent objections as well as the anti-union attitudes of politicians. Miss. Gov. Ken Bryant has in the past said "he would step in if the UAW tried to organize a plant in the state," Reuters reports.

Nissan's Canton plant builds five models, including the 2013 Altima, which has just entered production last week.

Nissan's Mississippi plant is chief UAW target originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Jun 2012 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>altimabob kingcanton misscanton mississippimississippinissanorganization driveuawunionunionizingunited auto workersMon, 11 Jun 2012 16:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20255872/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/06/11/nissans-mississippi-plant-is-chief-uaw-target/20255872/article-detail.xml 20255872 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/2013-nissan-altima-production-starts_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/2013-nissan-altima-production-starts.jpg <![CDATA[Nissan UAW's most likely target?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/15/nissan-uaws-most-likely-target/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/15/nissan-uaws-most-likely-target/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/15/nissan-uaws-most-likely-target/#commentsFiled under: , ,

UAW President Bob King

It appears the UAW has not finished casting about for a transplanted carmaker to target for unionization. Recent months have seen small-arms fire aimed at BMW and Hyundai, now UAW head Bob King has pointed artillery at Nissan, with King "accusing the Japanese automaker of unspecified human rights violations at its factories in Tennessee and Mississippi."

The UAW has attempted to organize Nissan's workforce before, and it didn't work. Supposedly it is devoting more resources to this effort, but other than King's accusations and statements that the UAW is talking to "top leaders at Nissan," it isn't clear how much commitment is involved. With no publicly stated target, is this another act of probing the chances at success or truly an all-out push? Nissan North America said King hasn't spoken to anyone there, and VP David Reuter said that King's "attempts to disparage Nissan are without merit."

Based on insider and outsider commentary, the UAW needs to do something soon to up its membership. With less than 400,000 members, even King feels that "If we don't organize these transnationals, I don't think there's a long-term future for the UAW."

Nissan UAW's most likely target? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Dec 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bob kingnissannissan uawnissan uniontennesseeuawunionizingunited auto workersThu, 15 Dec 2011 09:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20123787/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/15/nissan-uaws-most-likely-target/20123787/article-detail.xml 20123787 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/uaw-bob-king_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/uaw-bob-king.jpg -1 2