TEAMSTERS CANADA BUILDING UP CANADA EVERY DAY
Ce document est disponible dans les deux langues officielles. This document is available in both official languages. Produced and published in Canada by Teamsters Canada © Teamsters Canada, 2016 All rights reserved. No reproduction, copy or transmission of this publication may be made without written permission. No paragraph of this publication may be reproduced, copied or transmitted save with written permission or in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act of 1956 (as amended). Any person who does any unauthorized act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages. Printed and bound by Imprimerie Héon & Nadeau
Table of Contents Message from the President
5
Introduction
7
A Brief History of Canadian Teamsters
8
An Autonomous Organization
12
Making a Difference
28
At Work in All Industries
62
Conclusion
83
Recognition of Solidarity
84
“ Through their work each day, every Teamster helps to shape our union’s future and contributes to Canada’s economic, social and cultural growth.”
Message from the President As a member of Teamsters Canada for more than 30 years, I have witnessed some of the great strides and achievements our union has made. I would like to share those stories – and more – with you. Through their work each day, every Teamster helps to shape our union’s future and contributes to Canada’s economic, social and cultural growth. And while we have our sights firmly set on the future, our past is a reminder of the challenges Canadian workers have faced and the successes we have enjoyed throughout our history. Our current living and working conditions, as well as our nation’s labour laws, are the result of the battles fought by the labour movement in Canada. Teamsters have played a major role in these campaigns. Although the Teamsters Union has been active in Canada for 113 years, 2016 marks the 40th anniversary of Canadian members’ autonomy within the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Today, I am very proud to present to you this retrospective of the Teamsters Union in Canada. It not only commemorates how our union has evolved in Canada since its creation in 1903, but also celebrates the fundamental role that each Teamsters Canada president has played in affirming our national identity within the larger organization. You will learn about Senator Edward M. Lawson’s commitment to creating the Canadian Conference of Teamsters in 1976, Louis Lacroix’s leadership in promoting Canada’s autonomy within the Teamsters Union and Robert Bouvier’s contributions in implementing a service structure in Canada. This year, Teamsters Canada is 120,000 members strong. As a proactive union, we strive to take advantage of the changes in employment that have taken place over the past few years and to pave the way for generations of Teamsters to come. We believe there is strength in numbers and that all workers deserve the quality of life we aspire to. This is why we will continue to focus on mobilization and recruitment as we look to the future. Together, let’s continue to make history by getting involved in our union and in our communities! On behalf of the Teamsters Canada Executive Board, I would like to thank you for your involvement in our union. We encourage you to share our story and our pride with everyone around you. In solidarity,
François Laporte, President M E S S AGE F ROM THE PRESI DENT | 5
Introduction As Teamster members, we have been agents of change in Canada since 1903, both at work and in our communities. Over the years, our movement has empowered thousands of Canadian workers to secure better working conditions and to build stronger communities. So why, in 2016, are we celebrating the 40th anniversary of Teamsters Canada if we’ve been representing Canadian members since 1903? Simply because we have been representing Canadian members as an autonomous organization, since 1976. Our sisters and brothers have worked for four decades to forge and strengthen the Teamsters Canada we know today. That’s why our 40th anniversary is such an important milestone! In celebrating Teamsters Canada, we want to acknowledge the rich history of the Canadian Teamsters who have built our union and our country. Pictured in this book are some of our sisters and brothers in action in their communities, within their union and at work in all industries. Together, we are making a difference. We hope you will enjoy this Teamsters Canada retrospective. As members of this great union, we have a history to be proud of and a bright future to look forward to.
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A Brief History of Canadian Teamsters 1903 – 1975: Our beginnings The International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) was created in 1903 through the merger of two unions. One of those unions, the Team Drivers’ International Union, represented workers in Montreal and Vancouver. Those were harsh days for workers. There were no weekends off, no pensions and no health insurance. Child labour was common, dangerous working conditions were the norm, and ruthless industrialists seemed to have the full support of the government. Alone, workers were powerless. Over time, workers discovered the benefits of organizing. By standing together and forming a union, they were able to secure better working conditions and lead better lives. In other words, they realized the power of unity. In the Brotherhood, workers not only found strength, but they also found dignity and pride. Free of all political or religious affiliations, the Union was very successful in organizing workers across North America. By 1908, it had already certified twelve local charters in Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia. Workers also found strength in numbers. Over the decades, the Union grew in Canada from a handful of workers in a single trade, the trucking industry, to 74,000 members active in almost every industry. In 1953, the official union magazine, The International Teamster, reported “that expansion led to better skilled members, a workforce more diversified …, a safer environment for workers and [a] better lifestyle for their families”.1 Solidarity helped union members face strikes, recessions, two world wars, and a series of technological and social changes. The Teamsters flourished through the economic boom that followed WW2 as well as major infrastructure projects like the construction of the Trans-Canada Highway and the development of the St. Lawrence Seaway. These gains helped improve the quality of life for both members’ families and their fellow Canadians. Their dedication to work together for a better future fuelled the growth of a nation. 1 International Teamster, Vol. 56, No. 11. November 1953, page 18
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1976 – 2016: Autonomy and expansion Our sisters and brothers have always looked for ways to build up a better union and to better serve workers. For most of our history, the Teamsters Union in Canada comprised members in several local unions that were affiliated with a U.S.-based regional conference (Western, Central, or Eastern) of the International Brotherhood. But we lacked a truly Canadian structure to represent and defend our members, and to lobby for our shared goals nationally. The Canadian Conference of Teamsters, which would later become Teamsters Canada, was created to address those needs. The Conference’s founding meeting was held in Toronto in March 1976. The delegates, under the leadership of Senator and Brother Edward M. Lawson, structured the organization for the future. Decisions affecting Canadian members could now be streamlined and addressed within Canada. Canadian Teamsters from across the country could finally work together in one organization to conduct the business of our union. And, as reported in the International Teamster, being independent from the U.S.-based conferences “meant better representation and stronger potential to organize non-union workers” 2 in Canada. Our ranks continued to swell as Canadians gained more and more autonomy within the Teamsters movement. We grew from 74,000 members in 1976 to over 120,000 in 2016. From the beginning, the Union encouraged the membership of more and more women, new Canadians and workers from emerging industries. We recognized early on that the diversity of our members’ perspectives and experiences was one of our most important assets. Above all, the creation of Teamsters Canada led to the development of new and efficient tools to help workers trying to build up a better country. Over time, these services have come to include tailored, national organizing campaigns, specialized union education programs, legal expertise, lobbying efforts and communications services. Of course, this growth would not have been possible without strong leadership. Since 1976, four leaders – Senator Edward M. Lawson, Louis Lacroix, Robert Bouvier and François Laporte – have guided the direction of Teamsters Canada. Each leader has made a unique contribution to our organization by implementing new ways to support our members. Over the past 40 years, Teamsters Canada has developed a unique culture and a shared work ethic that have allowed us to reaffirm our place in Canadian workplaces and communities. Following the proud path of our predecessors, the future direction of Teamsters Canada is ours to build upon and to shape. 2 International Teamster, Vol. 72, No. 11, page 5
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AN AUTONOMOUS ORGANIZATION Teamsters Canada has the interests of its Canadian members at heart – as demonstrated by the changes made to the organization’s structure over the years.
Moving Forward One Step at a Time The International Brotherhood of Teamsters was formed in Canada and the United States in 1903. Since its creation, we have put all our efforts and passion to represent our members in their workplaces, in their communities and with various levels of government. The change process in our organization began in earnest in 1976, when our leaders campaigned to have the needs, rights and special interests of Canadian members recognized by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. The Canadian Conference of Teamsters was formed. During the past 40 years, each of the four leaders at the helm of the Canadian organization has moved our Union forward. Their contributions to our organization have been invaluable.
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Teamsters Canada’s Leadership Since Its Creation
VISION
Sen. Edward M. Lawson Director, 1976 – 1989
Louis Lacroix Director, 1989 – 2000
Robert Bouvier President, 2000 – 2015
François Laporte President, 2015 –
International Brotherhood of Teamsters’ Leadership
James P. Hoffa General President 1999 –
Ken Hall General Secretary-Treasurer 2011 –
A Logo that Reflects Who We Are Our logo has changed over the years to more accurately reflect what Canadian Teamsters are all about.
1976 to 1993 Designed when the Canadian Conference of Teamsters was first founded, this logo reflects our strength and our mission. We drive change in society and in the workplace. The horses are emblems of member unity and the wheel represents our desire to go forward and to build the country.
1993 to 2001 In 1993, we changed our name to Teamsters Canada and modified our logo to reflect our new identity.
2001 to 2013 To visibly establish ourselves as a leader across Canada, we added our name to the right of our logo.
2013 to today In 2013, the colours and the horses were changed to show the power and strength of our union.
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Senator Edward M. Lawson Director from 1976 to 1989 | Founder of the Canadian Conference of Teamsters Senator Edward M. Lawson (1929-2016) From 1903 to 1976, local unions in Canada were connected to the Western, Central or Eastern Conferences of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Aware of the economic, technological and social changes that were beginning to take place in Canada, and their potential impact on the job market, Senator Lawson wanted to unite Canadian Teamsters from sea to sea in order to create a strong and influential Union. In October 1975, with the support of the membership and local union officers, he convinced the General President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Frank Fitzsimmons, and his Vice-Presidents to change the structure of the Union to recognize the needs of its Canadian members.
General President Frank E. Fitzsimmons presented the Charter to Senator Lawson at the founding Convention held in Toronto on March 9, 1976. The Policy Committee, now called Executive Board, was composed of Senator Edward M. Lawson, Robert L. Wilson, Local Union 847; Edward Zimmerman Local, Union 31; Larry Martin, Local Union 362; Omer Malboeuf, Local Union 106; Louis Lacroix, Local Union 1999; Jean Larivière, Local Union 931; Joseph Contardi, Local Union 879; Peter Wilson, Local Union 464; Joseph Whiteford, Local Union 213; and Charles Thibault, Local Union 938. 1 8 | T E A M S T E R S C A N A D A : B U I LDING UP C ANADA E VE RY DAY
The Canadian Conference of Teamsters was officially formed at the Convention in Ontario in 1976. One hundred delegates attended.
LEADERSHIP
Louis Lacroix Director from 1989 to 2000 | Architect behind the creation of Teamsters Canada Louis Lacroix took over the position of Director of the Canadian Conference of Teamsters in 1989. For Canada, this was a period of major economic changes related to free-trade and globalization. One of Mr. Lacroix’s objectives was to assure our autonomy within the International Brotherhood of Teamsters to guarantee greater freedom to act for Canadians. He wanted to protect jobs and continue to improve the living and working conditions of our members.
Louis Lacroix, at a wellattended press conference in 1989, announcing his appointment as Director of the Canadian Conference of Teamsters. To his left is François Laporte, elected President of Teamsters Canada in 2015.
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One of Mr. Lacroix’s objectives was to assure our autonomy within the International Brotherhood of Teamsters to guarantee greater freedom to act for Canadians. In July 1993, at a convention in Halifax, Teamsters officers voted unanimously in favour of greater autonomy for Canadian Teamsters and selected a new name, “Teamsters Canada”. For greater protection, a Canadian strike fund was created in 1994. At this same convention, Bob White, President of the Canadian Labour Congress, announced Teamsters Canada’s affiliation to his organization.
Robert Bouvier President from 2000 to 2015 | Greater autonomy and more services for Canadian Teamsters Robert Bouvier was the first leader to be named president in 2000. He continued the work of his predecessors and further consolidated and implemented services for our membership, including education, communications, lobbying, organizing and legal counsel.
Above: At the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Convention in 2001, Mr. Bouvier negotiated the terms of Teamsters Canada’s autonomy, while preserving our affiliation with the international union. Shown here, Pierre-André Blanchard, in-house lawyer for Local Union 931, reads the resolution, which is passed unanimously by thousands of convention delegates. Left: Canadian Conference Charter, 2001.
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Above: In 2001, at the Teamsters Canada Convention in Mont-Tremblant, C. Thomas Keegel, General Secretary-Treasurer of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, recognizes Canadian autonomy by delivering the Teamsters Canada Charter to Robert Bouvier. From that point onward, Union decisions in our country would be made by Canadian leaders and members. Right: The federal Minister of Labour, the Honourable Claudette Bradshaw, and James P. Hoffa, General President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, at the 2001 Teamsters Canada Convention.
François Laporte President from 2015 to present | The dawn of a new era In May 2015, François Laporte was elected President of Teamsters Canada by Canadian members. Teamsters Canada remains strongly committed to working closely with local unions for the benefit of our members and for our communities. Our main objectives are to mobilize our members, defend their rights and represent them at the various levels of government. Teamsters Canada is very active on social media and uses all available means to communicate with its members and with all Canadians. Teamsters Canada has launched campaigns on social media, radio and television on topics that directly affect the population, such as mental health in the workplace. Together with local unions, Teamsters Canada is multiplying its actions to improve the living and working conditions of all workers across the country.
Through our campaigns and our actions, we are protecting the common good.
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Teamsters Canada’s Executive Board consists of Canadian leaders from coast to coast.
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Above: François Laporte meeting with members in their workplace and listening to their needs and concerns. Left: Teamsters Canada lobbies the government on issues that are important to members and working Canadians. François Laporte meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in November 2015.
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MAKING A DIFFERENCE Our Union is made up of members who are always ready to make a difference. Together, through our actions, we are an engine of change.
An Engine of Change As Teamsters, we belong to a group of strong, united workers. Through union action in the workplace and involvement in the community, we contribute to everyone’s well-being. Teamsters Canada proudly advocates for its members in Canada and around the world. Through their initiatives and leadership here and abroad, our members are making things happen!
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In Action for the Common Good In 1919, the city of Winnipeg, Manitoba, was paralyzed by a general strike that lasted almost 40 days. The Teamsters played a major role by blocking the streets of Winnipeg with their teams of horses. The largest strike in Canadian history at the time, it served as a great example of solidarity and a lesson for the future.
Above: Unions vote 75% in favour of a general strike. Right: Rally near the former Vancouver City Hall. Top right: Strength in numbers! In 1920, the Teamsters joined forces with the Trades and Labour Congress of Canada. This congress merged with the Canadian Congress of Labour in 1956 and the Canadian Labour Congress was born.
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STRENGTH
When the Royal North-West Mounted Police are called to control strikers, they mean business.
A crowd in Victoria Park listens to union leaders speak. MAKI NG A DI F F ERENCE | 3 1
Canadian Teamsters have long participated in national celebrations and commemorations to highlight workers’ efforts.
A Labour Day float in the 1940s. Palm Dairies Ltd. workers are proud of their work with good reason: the float won 1st prize in the business category! April 28 – National Day of Mourning commemorates workers killed or injured in the workplace. This initiative was proposed by the Canadian Labour Congress in 1984 and has been adopted by more than 80 countries. Following recommendations made by Teamsters Canada and other unions, the flags on all federal buildings across the country now fly at half-mast each year on this day. 3 2 | T E A M S T E R S C A N A D A : B U I LDING UP C ANADA E VE RY DAY
Toronto Labour Day Parade, Milk Drivers and Dairy Employees Union Float, on Spadina Avenue at Bulwer in 1953. Photo from City of Toronto Archives.
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We’re building up the country! Teamsters are involved in major development projects across Canada.
Above: Canadian Teamsters fill several positions, including working as truck drivers, at the Bull Arm construction site in Newfoundland and Labrador. Bull Arm is one of the main construction sites for the Hebron Project. Right: Shown in 2007, Ron Roche stands in front of the enormous Voice Construction truck that he drove at the Suncor Energy oil sands development site in Fort McMurray, Alberta.
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Our members are working on major construction and infrastructure projects in Canada. Some of these projects are the hydroelectric and renewable energy projects in Muskrat Falls, Newfoundland and Labrador, and in Keeyask, Manitoba. We’re also working on the Trans-Canada pipeline in Ontario and Alberta.
SOLIDARITY
Solidarity beyond borders. Teamsters Canada is actively involved in creating international union solidarity and supporting workers both in Canada and abroad.
A delegation of Teamsters from Québec attends an international conference on youth involvement held in France in June 1977.
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Above: Nurses and shop stewards, Jim Maher and Trent McDonald, on a humanitarian aid mission to Haiti in 2014. Left: Canadian Teamsters meet with a delegation from Russia during an international event on the trucking industry. Right: Teamsters Canada and representatives from Ontario support workers affiliated with Local Union 814 of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters during the 10-month lockout at Sotheby’s in New York in 2011.
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JUSTICE Above and left: In 2015, the Teamsters Canada Education Department participated in a mission in Haiti to train the leaders of a new union at the Heineken plant in Port-au-Prince.
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Democracy is alive and well at Teamsters Canada. Members are invited to get involved in their local union’s activities.
Chris Bartmann (left) and Marcel Pokue (right) are proud Inuit workers who got involved in their local union and became Teamster shop stewards. They’re working on the Muskrat Falls Project which involves the construction of a hydroelectric dam and power lines in Newfoundland and Labrador. Right: David Meany is a shop steward who gets involved. He played an active role in the organizing campaign at the Vale Long Harbour project in Newfoundland and Labrador.
DEMOCRACY
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Quality of life hinges on good working conditions.
Right: Crystal Dairy Ltd. – now Saputo – signed this collective agreement on November 1, 1956, in Alberta. When we negotiate decent working conditions, we improve the lives of our members and their families. Below: Paragraph 4 of this collective agreement, signed in 1919, states that members will work a maximum of 48 hours per week and will be entitled to one day off per week. At the time, these terms were quite an improvement in working conditions for the milk delivery drivers and employees of Fraser Valley Dairies in Vancouver, British Columbia.
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Far left, center and left: In 1971, unions representing Québec brewery and soft drink workers join forces to gain greater leverage.
QUALITY OF LIFE
Above: Circa 1917. A driver and his horse are a team! Drivers, like this Oakville Dairy delivery man, respect their horses and take good care of them – even negotiating meal breaks for them.
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“I am proud to be a Teamster. In addition to learning about the important role a union plays in helping members, I feel a sense of belonging and solidarity with my colleagues.” — JASON RODRIGUE, CN R AILWAY
Women have been involved in their union and improving their working conditions since 1903.
Above: In 1918, women members of the Teamsters worked in factories and drove trucks. They gained knowledge and experience in new areas, and appreciated the union’s protection. Left: During World War I, women showed that they are capable of doing jobs that had, until then, been reserved for men. Women replaced men at their jobs while the men were away fighting the war. In 1914 and 1939, everyone did their part for the war effort. During this time, many women joined the union.
EQUITY
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Above: Women members attend The 20th Conference of Teamsters in Vancouver, British Columbia in 1956. Right: Ontario and Québec have Teamster Women’s Caucuses that mobilize, train and educate the women of our organization. These caucuses organize conferences, training courses, fundraisers, and much more.
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For more than 10 years, Teamster families have taken part in the annual Run for the Cure event to fight breast cancer. 4 6 | T E A M S T E R S C A N A D A : B U I LDING UP C ANADA E VE RY DAY
This group of Teamsters is ready to go the distance to fight cancer. MAKI NG A DI F F ERENCE | 4 7
Free Trade: Teamsters Canada lobbies to protect our jobs and working conditions. The Canada-United States Free Trade Agreement and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) opened up the markets, creating a serious threat to the jobs of thousands of Canadian workers. Teamsters Canada demonstrated and took a stand in an effort to preserve the rights and working conditions of our members.
LOBBYING
Above: In 1987, during a general consultation on free trade between Canada and the U.S., Pierre Soucisse, Louis Lacroix and Patrice St-Onge from Local Union 1999 present a brief in Québec City to the Permanent Commission for the Economy and Labour.
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Demonstration in Québec City in 1987 against deregulating trade in the brewery industry between Canada and the U.S. MAKI NG A DI F F ERENCE | 4 9
Shop stewards are the heart of the union. They act on behalf of the members in the workplace. Not only do they represent the members, but they also educate and mobilize them. Teamsters Canada recognizes the passion and commitment of shop stewards. Local unions provide training and support.
Shop stewards analyze actual cases during their union training course in 1975.
“Union education means learning something not just by text books and experience, but by putting it into action to move forward and make positive changes for yourself and others.” — LEE MARINAS, WHOLESOME HARVEST BAKING
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caption to come Shop stewards refine their investigation techniques in January 2016 during a training course called “The Heart of the Union – Shop Stewards at Work”. This is one of the many training courses provided to help prepare them for their role.
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Here, young Teamsters stand in front of the Parliament buildings in Ottawa, Ontario.
“Unions are important as a strong group to represent workers. Without a union, their voices go unheard.” — CHRIS SMUTT, SAPUTO FOODS
OUR FUTURE
Young Teamsters have a voice! The Youth Committee is created in 2009 to unite young Teamsters across the country.
Members of the Youth Committee campaign across the country to encourage young people to vote in the October 2015 federal election – “Your vote! Your voice! Make them count.” MAKI NG A DI F F ERENCE | 5 3
A strike is the last resort for getting our voices heard and our rights respected. Sometimes, a strike is inevitable.
UNITY Above: The Brown Derby restaurant in Montreal declares bankruptcy (questionably so) in 1994. With the help of other unions, employees win their fight to organize when the restaurant reopens its doors a few months later. Left: Workers in the rail industry go on strike in 1920. Canadian National carmen (who worked in rail car maintenance and repair) demonstrate in front of the Legislative Assembly building on Kennedy Street in Winnipeg, Manitoba, demanding better working conditions.
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PROTECTION
Rail industry workers make their voices heard in Ottawa, demanding that the government put a stop to self-regulation in their industry. The safety of workers, passengers and the population as a whole has always been a core concern of the Teamsters. Circa 2010 MAKI NG A DI F F ERENCE | 5 5
Since the founding of the Union, Canadian Teamsters have put their efforts and their energies to work in their communities. The Teamsters support various groups and organizations that help the community, such as the United Way, the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation, Variety Village and Camp Papillon. We even have parachuted with Make a Wish Foundation.
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François Laporte (left), Pierre Deschamps (centre) and Gaétan Morin (right) present a cheque to the famous Paralympian Rick Hansen, better known as the “Man in Motion.” Circa 1986.
COMMUNITY
Across Canada, the Teamsters organize children’s activities over the holiday season. MAKI NG A DI F F ERENCE | 5 7
Each year, Teamsters raise funds for breast cancer research and to support victims of breast cancer. On the left, Michelle Wadman, a breast cancer survivor, with supporter Sarah Murphy.
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Canada is a vast country. Good communication between the union and its members is crucial if we want to remain strong and united. It also facilitates member mobilization and involvement.
Left: The Wheel was a bilingual newspaper published by Local Union 931 from 1962 to 1967. Below: The Local 987 Bulletin is an example of just how much local unions care about connecting with members.
Teamsters Canada communicates with its members in various ways. We are active on social media and keep our website up to date with articles and campaigns about current events that are of interest to our members.
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COMMUNICATION
Helping new Canadians to integrate into their workplaces and communities is part of our mission, and is included in the working conditions that we negotiate. At Peerless Clothing Inc., a French language class was established in 1999 in collaboration with the employer. Sharing a common language is important to build solidarity in the workplace. 6 0 | T E A M S T E R S C A N A D A : B U I LDING UP C ANADA E VE RY DAY
AT WORK IN ALL INDUSTRIES Tireless and professional, Teamsters work in all industries of the economy. As engines of change, we contribute to the well-being of Canadians in all communities across the country.
An Essential Contribution We play a part in your day-to-day life in hundreds of ways. Almost everything is transported from coast to coast in planes, trains or trucks operated by Teamsters and then are warehoused by other Teamsters upon arrival. The milk, soft drinks and beer you drink were likely bottled by our members. The clothing you are wearing today was probably sewn with care by a Teamster. Our members work in hotels and retail businesses. We drive armoured cars. We build infrastructure and pour cement for buildings. We clean aircraft and transfer your luggage. Teamsters take care of our elderly and manufacture drugs against cancer. We operate the commuter trains that get you into the city and drive the buses that deliver your children to school. The examples are endless. No matter where you are or what you’re doing, you’re likely crossing paths with a Teamster on the job on a daily basis. We’re building up Canada every day… and we’re very proud of that!
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Teamsters In Action Our members are at work 24 hours a day, 365 days a year in many areas of life. In 1903, Teamsters members were mainly working in the trucking industries. Times have changed! Teamsters Canada is proud to represent members in various industries.
Above: Times have changed. So have we! In a fast changing environment, our members learned new methods and adapted to new technologies. Right: The Teamsters don’t just transport goods and products – we also provide public services like sanitation and waste removal, shown in Toronto in 1918. The job title back in the day for garbage collectors was ‘Refuse Chauffeur’.
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DEDICATION
Above: Teamsters Canada represents close to 2,000 workers at Rona stores. Our members also work in other retail businesses and in foodservice, tool rental, hospitality and so many other areas! Right: A Millar & Brown Ltd. truck driver in Cranbrook, British Columbia, circa 1950. In Canada, the majority of unionized truck drivers are represented by Teamsters Canada.
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A Teamster in 1953, hard at work at the Canadian Linen and Uniform Service company, which has been in operation in Canada since 1925. Left: A Teamsters member in 1953, hard at work at the Canadian Linen and Uniform Service company, which has been in operation in Canada since 1925.
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Our Canadian Linen and Uniform Service members, shown in 2000, are proud of the quality of their work.
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“Teamsters are my second family.” — MARCO MAGGIACOMO, UPS
The Teamsters cook for actors and artisans on the sets of films and TV series. Making sure everyone on these sets is well-fed and happy is an extremely important task! Trucks used on location for makeup and accommodations are also driven by Teamsters.
A fireproof dual-direction truck, invented in 1907 and used by the Montreal-based J.B. Baillargeon Express Inc. company. There is a Teamster driver at each end to ensure smooth turns!
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Nothing stops a Teamster from getting the job done! This loyal Dairyland deliveryman worked through a major snowstorm that hit British Columbia in 1951.
Fazia Toubaline proudly makes hats at William Scully Ltd. in Montréal in 2015.
“ Belonging to the Teamsters allows us to stand up and be heard without the fear of retaliation.” — MARK HOLIDAY, COCA-COL A
The forest industry was the backbone of the Canadian economy for decades. Circa 1910.
Above: Teamsters working at Boak Manufacturing in Toronto, Ontario, in 1929. Right: A press operator inspects the final product: a copy of The Gazette newspaper, printed in 2007. AT WORK I N AL L I NDUSTRI ES | 7 1
“Unions serve the greater good.” — ANDREW LOCHAN, SGT 2000 INC.
Above: Teamsters work in all areas of the food industry. Whether they harvest, process, prepare or sell food, Teamster members ensure our food products are top quality. Right: Teamsters Canada represents the interests of workers in the health care and elder care fields, working as nurses, housekeepers, orderlies and personal support workers.
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UPS workers, such as this proud deliveryman, have been Teamsters Canada members since 1988.
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Teamsters drive your children to school safely. Others get you to your commuter train station, where yet more Teamster members make sure you get to work on time aboard a GO Transit or AMT train.
Left: Brother Al Flower in a Clarke & Buzza lumberyard in Vancouver, British Columbia, in 1953. Below: Rail maintenance workers have physically demanding jobs. Other challenging railway jobs include traffic control, steering and operating locomotives.
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Above: Teamster members who work at Groupe Marcelle Inc. cosmetics manufacture high-quality products. Left: This forklift operator is not afraid of heights! Teamsters are hard at work in many warehouses across Canada, handling and storing perishable and non-perishable goods.
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When you travel by air, our members at Swissport Handling Canada Inc. transfer your luggage while others clean the plane or prepare in-flight meals.
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Purolator workers cheerfully handle and deliver your parcels – wherever you live in Canada.
“ As a working single mom, the Teamsters Union has made a difference in my life. Unions help protect the middle-class.” — NATHALIE LECL AIR, WESTON
Above: Know a well-dressed man? The suit he wears so proudly just may have been made by one of our members at Peerless Clothing Inc. Right: Kingsway Transport drivers transport the goods that you use every day. You can see their trucks all across the country, 24 hours a day.
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Left: Teamsters build infrastructure and pour cement for buildings across Canada. Below: A welder does precision work at Artmetco Inc. in 2002. Our members also work in superstructure manufacturing and woodworking.
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Our members are working hard every day to build our economy, and our society. We are proud of our work, we are proud to be Canadian Teamsters.
Conclusion Learning about the history of our union shows us how much our members have contributed to improving Canadian society. From the beginning, Canadian Teamsters have worked hard every day, in their workplaces and in their communities, to make Canada a better place to live. Together, strong and united, Canadian Teamsters have played – and continue to play – a fundamental role in the economic, social and cultural development of our country. Let’s be proud of our accomplishments, and continue to work to protect the common good and to improve our members’ quality of life.
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Recognition of Solidarity This retrospective would not have been possible without the valuable cooperation of Teamsters Canada’s many partners, collaborators, brothers, sisters and friends. We especially wish to thank: the George Washington University Libraries, the City of Vancouver Archives; the Archives of Manitoba; the International Brotherhood of Teamsters’ Labor History Research Center; Thomas Connors, Labour Archivist; Michelle Dolbec, Archivist and Researcher; Karin Jones, Researcher, Writer and Archivist; the International Brotherhood of Teamsters; Sue Bodde, Designer; Kathleen Lapointe, Photographer; Guy Poirier, Union Representative and Amateur Photographer; Sébastien Pedraglio, Photographer; all the photographers at Extreme Group; Réjean Lavigne, Retired Teamster and Photographer; Serge Jongué, QFL Photographer; Alain Keler, Photographer; Bernard Brault, Photographer; and Aimée St-Laurent, Photographer. For their contributions, we also thank Trish Knight, Denis Ste-Marie, Ryan Rutgers, John Londono, Benoit Brunet, Allen McInnes, David Meany and Jim Barnes. Lastly, special thanks to the Teamsters Canada’s local unions and conferences, officers, representatives, members, retired members and staff for putting their hearts and passion into this project.
Back cover quotes Senator Edward M. Lawson – Canadian Conference of Teamsters Convention, Quebec City, July 1978. Louis Lacroix – Director’s Report, Teamsters Canada Sixth Convention, July 1993. Robert Bouvier – Teamsters Online: About the Teamsters: The General Executive Board: Canada. François Laporte – Speech at Mercer’s Workforce NEXT Conference-Spring Summit in Houston, Texas, April 2016.
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