CAW Rallies Members for Federal Election in Oshawa

OSHAWA, ON, Sept. 23 /CNW/ - CAW President Ken Lewenza will be making his first visit to Oshawa as the union's national president for a CAW membership election rally on Wednesday, September 24.


Lewenza will lay out the union's position of strategic voting to defeat the Harper Conservatives, as endorsed by the CAW's Council, the parliament of the union.


"Stopping a Stephen Harper majority is one of the most important challenges Canadian unions and progressives have ever faced," said Lewenza.


The CAW is endorsing former CAW Local 222 President and NDP candidate Mike Shields in the Oshawa riding. The seat is currently held by Conservative MP Colin Carrie, who has been accused by GM workers of abandoning his constituents during the announcement of the Oshawa truck plant closure in June.


In the neighbouring ridings of Durham and Whitby-Oshawa, the CAW is endorsing an 'ABC' voting strategy (Anyone But Conservative), with the goal of preventing a Conservative majority government. In particular, the union is urging members to ensure Finance Minister Jim Flaherty does not get re-elected to office.


On the list of speakers at Wednesday's election membership rally will be CAW President Ken Lewenza, Mike Shields and CAW Local 222 President Chris Buckley. The meeting is part of a leadership election tour by Lewenza to various communities across Ontario over the next two weeks.



Wednesday, September 24, 2008 at 7 p.m.
CAW Local 222 Hall - 1425 Phillip Murray Avenue
Oshawa, Ontario

Media are welcome.