February 25, 2004

By: Allan Heineman
Website: http://www.1st-in-cars.com

I.W.A. Brings Rental Car Company Workers Into Union Fold

Local 2171 of the Industrial, Wood and Allied Workers of Canada received certification from the Labour Relations Board for 18 workers employed by Alamo Car Rental.

The workers, employed at the car rental outlet at the Vancouver International Airport, joined the I.W.A. for the usual reasons, said National President Dave Haggard.

These workers joined our union because they wanted dignity, respect and fairness on the job, said Haggard. The best way for workers to get those things and to improve their wages and working conditions is by organizing into a union.

The Alamo is the latest addition to the growing list of what the union calls non-traditional certifications. The I.W.A. is best known as the union representing forest workers in British Columiba, but now boasts a full third of its over 50,000 members outside the primary resource sector.

We have been working hard to bring new members into our union, added Haggard. Our philosophy is ‘a worker is worker’ and we believe that all working people can benefit from a union.

The I.W.A. had applied for a certification of 35 workers, but the Labour Relations Board determined that half of the proposed unit really fell under a different employer, National Tilden. National Tilden workers are represented by the Office and Professional Employees International Union.

The Industrial, Wood and Allied Workers of Canada is a national trade union representing 50,000 workers in seven provinces across the country. The I.W.A. is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia and is the largest private sector union in the province.

About The Author:

Allan Heineman is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.1st-in-cars.com.  Great car accessories and parts plus financing, insurance and leasing tips.