/CNW/ - The Canadian Auto Workers union will be
convening its Canada-Quebec Joint Council on August 27-29 at the Centre
Sheraton downtown Montreal and will celebrate the 25th anniversary of
its formation as an independent Canadian union.
The union will bring together approximately 800 delegates, staff and
special guests from across Canada and Quebec for the Joint Council - a
decision-making body that meets every three years.
Under the banner of Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges, Moving
Forward, the union will reflect on a dynamic 25 years and chart a
direction for the future. The event will include addresses by CAW
National President Ken Lewenza and Quebec Director Jean-Pierre Fortin,
who will reflect on the previous and current challenges facing the
labour movement in Canada and Quebec. The event will also include
addresses by Bloc Québécois leader Gilles Duceppe, Founding CAW
President Bob White and long-time CAW President Buzz Hargrove.
The union will also launch its new book, Making History: A Visual
Record of the CAWs First 25 Years, reflecting through photography,
interviews and an essay, the legacy of the union. The book was
coordinated and edited by photographer Vincenzo Pietropaolo.
The union will also be presenting its Nelson Mandela Human Rights Award
to Esther Munyerenkana from the Democratic Republic of Congo, who has
made the exceptional trip to Canada to receive the award. Esther is a
nurse and social worker at the Panzi Hospital and works with women who
have survived brutal sexual assaults and rape, to help rebuild their
lives. Esther was recommended to the CAW by Stephen Lewis and playwright
and activist Eve Ensler.
This award is given every three years by CAW to an individual or
organization for exceptional achievement in the promotion of human
rights. It is named in honour of Nelson Mandela, former president of
South Africa.
The first recipient was Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the National League
for Democracy in Burma and other recipients include Stephen Lewis and
Craig Keilburger.
The Joint Council will take place at:
Le Centre Sheraton
Salle de Bal - Level 4
1201 Boulevard
Rene-Levesque West
Montreal, QC
*Members of the media are welcome
The agenda is as follows:
Friday, August 27
9:00 a.m.
Joint Council Convenes
Address by CAW National President Ken Lewenza
Address by Quebec Director Jean-Pierre Fortin
Book launch - Making History: A Visual Record of the CAWs first 25
years by Vincenzo Pietropaolo
Remarks by Founding CAW President Bob White
2:00pm
Address by Bloc Québécois leader Gilles Duceppe
4:30pm
Remarks by former CAW President Buzz Hargrove
Saturday, August 28
11:45am
CAW 25th Anniversary Song Contest Winner
1:30pm
Fighting for Good Jobs presentation
2:00pm
Presentation of Nelson Mandela Human Rights Award and Address by
Esther Munyerenkana
