I'm shocked by the Magna-CAW framework agreement; it goes against union fundamentals and everything our union stands for. We have to do everything we can to make sure it isn't approved.

Paul Pugh
President
CAW Local 1075

Dear Brother Gindin

I wholeheartedly support your analysis of the CAW Magna deal. Is it a deal? Or is it a merger between two organizations. I have just read the Framework for Fairness Agreement and it is worse than what I had anticipated. This deal is already being broken by managers in Magna workplaces who are openly lobbying against it. It may provide Buzz and Hemi a convenient way out of the most odious undertaking our Union has ever participated in. And I thought giving 5 million to a corrupt Liberal bagman was bad. This is worse!

What really concerns me is the plight of our sisters and brothers in the 3 existing CAW Magna workplaces. Under this deal they have now lost their right to strike permanently as well as forfeiting their right to democratically elect their leadership and have real and meaningful participation in negotiations.

There is no way workers at any non union Magna plant will vote for this agreement when it provides them with nothing more than what they have now, except the privilege of parting with 2 hours and 20 minutes of their pay.

This agreement shows me how out of touch with his employees Frank Stronach is and how out of touch Buzz Hargrove is with our leadership and our members. Time has come for both of them fade off into their golden years.

I can guarantee Buzz will see a shit storm the likes of which he has never seen when this comes before CAW Council in December. He can bullshit and buffalo the careerists on the NEB and whip the staff into line but he will face a very long line at the mikes (including me) that will oppose and expose this piece of shit deal for what it is.

In Solidarity
Jim Reid, 1st Vice President
Local 27 CAW Canada

Dear Sam:

Thank you for this thoughtful analysis. My question throughout this past 12 months has been the one you pose at the end: Where, indeed, are all the voices of those who thundered at mikes and spoke out in public venues to preserve and advance social and economic gains for the labour movement. Corrupt, misguided or overtly vain and ambitious labour leaders (we have had many of these) will always come and go. But the silence from members and CAW staff is to me, more chilling, than what Buzz Hargrove does or does not do.

It cannot be that out of the thousands of CAW members, all are captive to fear and ambition. What has happened to the members of this once magnificent union that helped to forge a vision of equality and social progress and in so doing produced advances for all?

Buzz Hargroves will come and go. The silence of its member-leaders-staff is, in my opinion, the most troubling offence. In challenging the status quo around the world and indeed, in North America, many people face jail, torture, and terrible and tragic consequences. Self-censorship when there are no high stakes like these involved is always the biggest threat to democracy. I hope to hear a din of voices that produce defeat for Buzz at the next convention.

Lynn Simmons,
Toronto, Ontario