Unifor 199 Fonds, 1937-2021
Unifor 199 largely represented autoworkers and workers in manufacturing industries in the Niagara region. It received its charter from the UAW-CIO in December 1936, thanks to the efforts of John K. Smith, George Campbell, and Charles Williamson. These men organized the workforce at McKinnon Industries, a subsidiary of General Motors in St. Catharines, Ontario. The union membership totalled approximately 100 workers. Local 199 was one of the first Canadian groups to be included in the U.S.-based United Auto Workers (UAW) union. In time, the membership grew to over 1,000 by the time of the strike in 1948. By 1953, membership increased fourfold to over 4,000. In 1940, workers at Anthes Imperial, Welland Vale Works, and Shurly Works of the Welland Vale Manufacturing Company joined the Local. Lincoln Foundry joined in 1951, Skillcraft Products in 1956 and Genaire in 1958.
From its inception, Local 199 has been involved in the local communities it represents. In the 1950s, they supported civil defence programs and in 1949 formed their very own Credit Union, focusing on financial benefits for its members.
Other causes endorsed and supported by the Local included women’s rights, the environment, human rights, and rights for the LGBT community. Local 199 supported recreational and sporting activities for its members and their families. Bowling, softball, and hockey were among the earliest activities. The Merry Macks, the women’s softball team, was one of the highest achieving sports teams. Men and women were equally encouraged and welcomed on various union supported teams.
In 1985, the Canadian units of the UAW broke away from their parent organization to form the new Canadian Autoworkers Union. The CAW had long struggled under US contract negotiations and felt it required a Canadian solution to negotiated settlements. On August 31, 2013, the Canadian Autoworkers Union and the Communications, Energy, and Paperworkers Union of Canada (CEP) amalgamated to form Unifor, combining two of Canada’s largest unions. Unifor Local 199 and 523 united in February 2017. Local 523 largely represented workers in Welland, Ontario.
RG 802 Unifor 199 fonds, 1937-2021
Some of the material from this collection has been digitized and is available in the Digital Repository.
The First GM Agreement in Canada, April 1937
A copy of the first GM agreement in Canada from April 1937. The two page document is sorted into the following subheadings: Hours of Work, Wages, Seniority, Grievance Procedure, Rest Period, Pay Day, Production Basis, No Discrimination Clause.
War Worker, Volume 1 No. 1, 9 October 1943
An issue of the publication "War Worker" published by the United Automobile, Aircraft and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW-CIO). The issue includes: Hayes Local Wants Change, Union Ignored; Brings Protest, Steward Body Grows; Local 195 Reorganizes, UAW Over Million, Why Join a Union?, Jobs For All After the War, Bulletin Board, Niagara United Labor Committee Meets Institute, Wire Daley Over Delay, UAW-CIO Representative's Son Gets Wings and Commission, UAW Enters Hamilton, Massey-Harris Goes UAW.
199 News, Vol. 12 No. 9, October 1976
An issue of 199 News for October 1976. This issue includes: October 14 Day of Protest, Why Wage Control and No Profit Control, Operation Service Week, Support Your Library, The Niagara Fruitlands, Wage Controls: Phase Two, Badminton, Smoking, Can't Refuse Job if Bass Says It's Safe, Insurance Views, Strike Payment Eligibility, UAW Lounge Wining and Dining Menu, One Year Later, Why Me? Controls Are Completely Unfair, Quiz on Income and Taxation, Do You Know?, The Industrial Safety Act and You, Your Credit Union Provides Life Savings Insurance Cover of Up To $4,000.00, GM Chairman's Column, High Fashion Can Be Costly, UFW Boycott of Sunmaid Cancelled, Got a Lot of Living To Do?, Trudeau Must Go, Scholarships and Bursaries, Why Me? They Won't Control Prices, Obituaries.