GLU News

Labour movement’s long history with Great Lakes United

In early 1982, members of the leading environmental organizations in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River region and United Autoworkers (UAW) staff from Solidarity House in Detroit met to discuss the pressing need for a binational environmental group that would look at the health of the ecosystem from a region-wide perspective. This was a natural direction for a union such as UAW, which believed that the union movement is rooted in the workplace but understands the importance of participating in, and influencing, the general direction of society.

To protect this ecosystem, the combined efforts of both the public and private sectors of the two countries, eight states and two provinces that shared this precious resource were needed. The participation of indigenous peoples with their separate governmental powers and concerns for the environment were also crucial. Success would not be possible without strong international collaboration.

When Great Lakes United was created in late 1982 on Mackinaw Island, and during other formative meetings, UAW members played a key role in writing the coalition’s by-laws and policies. This was crucial to shaping the future direction of the organization.

The structure of the Great Lakes United board, with its mix of regional directors and “at large” directors, is similar to that of many unions. The directors are elected at an annual meeting and duly voted on by the member organizations.

However, the influence of a progressive union movement can also be seen in many of the policies of the coalition.

During biennial presentations to the International Joint Commission, Great Lakes United has always allocated part of its time for a presentation from labour regarding the need for a “Just Transition” for workers affected by the phasing out of toxics and the creation of greener jobs within the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River region. This led to the International Joint Commission calling on the Canadian and American governments for a “Just Transition” for affected workers.

Indeed, the desire for a clean and healthy Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River ecosystem is one shared by the public and union members alike. Great Lakes United’s clean production program has always had active union participation as the coalition works to get toxics out of our workplaces and products, so that they will not end up in our water and environment.

Building on these goals, the Canadian Autoworkers Union has actively worked with Great Lakes United to promote “Extended Producer Responsibility” as a method to promote and create greener jobs for workers and encourage employers to provide a Just Transition for workers affected by the change to a greener more sustainable economy.

Since its inception, Great Lakes United has been a place for diverse voices to work together for a cleaner ecosystem. The union movement has had a long history as one such voice in contributing to the protection of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River for generations to come.

© 2009 Great Lakes News.