The OLRB has ordered hearings on the legality of disaffiliation votes conducted in SEIU units across the north. In July, the CLC had no choice but to apply full sanctions against the CAW, forcing committed and dedicated CAW trade unionists to withdraw from organised activities within the labour movement across Canada. This raid has threatened every labour council, every labour-community coalition, and every federation of labour in every province and territory. In late August, I attended yet another mediation session in Calgary with Mr. Hargrove convened by Ken Georgetti and Bob White. Once again, we attempted to reach a reasonable resolve and our efforts were shot down.
Every union is guided by a constitution.
We all collectively vote on our constitutions. If the rules of the game are not clearly spelled out, you end up with anarchy. In the absence of democracy, you have all the conditions ripe for the schoolyard bully, the 'strong man' who can impose his will through compulsion and intimidation. Like most other unions, our constitution provides for disaffiliation procedures. These guys knew it and decided to ignore it.