During the merger negotiations between the TWU and the USW there was concern that retirees’ representatives, Unit R55 delegates, would lose the right to vote for TWPP Pension Trustees.
The President of the TWU, Bro. Lee Riggs, issued a letter of commitment to the Executive of Unit R55 and the BCARTW that he would ensure the rights of retirees would be protected.
That promise has been broken. A copy of that letter is attached.
The USW, who consider themselves a democratic union, arbitrarily imposed new bylaws on Local 1944 without a vote from the membership. These new Bylaws have revoked the Charter of Unit R55. This means that our delegates cannot vote for Pension Trustees.
For the last number of years, the Executive of Unit R55 has been working to resolve this issue with no response from the Executive of TWU – USW Local 1944.
The next Pension Trustee election is at the Local Unit Delegated Meeting (LUDM) (previously TWU Convention) beginning March 20, 2018. Two days before this LUDM the Executive of Unit R55 was advised that the Unit R55 Charter was revoked.
We have drafted a letter of appeal to the USW International President Leo Gerard and the Executive members of the USW and TWU Local 1944. A copy of that letter is attached.
We are asking retired members, if concerned, and if able, to come to the opening of the LUDM on Tuesday morning March 20th in a show of support for Unit R55.
The LUDM is being held at the HILTON METROTOWN, 6083 McKay Ave. in Burnaby. The LUDM begins at 8 a.m., so it would be best to be there at 7:30 am.
This is very short notice, so if you are unable to attend it is understandable.
In Solidarity,
Unit R55 Executive