ORGANIZING DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE
ORGANIZING DIRECTOR’S
MESSAGE Carlos Pimentel, Director of Organizing Brothers and Sisters,
Throughout my time being involved in the labour movement,
F
people often ask me how I stay motivated and continue to organize
or some of us who live in the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area (GTHA), we have been involved in preparing for the Pan Am/Parapan Am Games for several years. From
taking part in the lobbying process to bring the games to Toronto or through working for one of the many contactors involved in building the numerous venues across the GTHA, members of the Carpenters’ Union have played a significant role in preparing for the largest sporting event in Canadian history. The Pan Am/Parapan Am Games provide an opportunity for Ontario to consider bidding on future sporting events that would bring a significant amount of investment into our province. Ontario could be a future host of the Olympics or a Soccer World Cup. The opportunities are endless. Thank you to all members who worked on projects for the 2015 Games and a big thank you to all of the signatory contractors who work with the Carpenters’ Union for employing hundreds of our members across the province. The Carpenters’ Union continues to focus on bringing in new members into our Union through organizing. One sector that has seen an increase in the number of signatory employers to the union is the industrial sector. Numerous industrial fabrication companies that supply the construction industry with scaffolding components to fine millwork fabrication are part
the unorganized. I strongly believe in the benefits of union membership for all workers, not just those workers who are part of the construction industry. With union membership comes a life with greater income equality, a greater level of fairness for workers and an overall better standard of living. Union’s not only fight for their members, but also fight for all workers ensuring that workers are able to work in safe environments while being paid a fair wage for a solid days work. The attack on unions is felt both in private and public sector unions. It is up to all citizens to come together to protect the rights of all workers. Unions continue to fight for all workers who at the end of the day want to have meaningful lives and be able to provide a higher quality of life for both themselves and their families. Whenever you have the opportunity, share with others the benefits you receive from the union and why you believe in being a union member. On behalf of the organizers across the province and myself, stay safe both on and off the job site. In Solidarity, Carlos Pimentel Director of Organizing
of our Union employing members. Employers across Canada face the temptation to shut down their operations and move to other countries where wages are lower and standards are minimal. For those companies who have chosen to stay and operate in Ontario, thank you for supporting our province and our country. Each company who chooses to operate in Canada makes a positive impact on our economy. A second sector that is providing good paying jobs to members is the healthcare sector. Expanding into sectors outside of traditional construction allows our Union to continue to grow ensuring existing and future members have access to good paying, safe jobs.
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Trade Talk
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