Hundreds of delegates of the Canadian Auto Workers Union will gather in Port Elgin this weekend.
The conference begins this morning at the CAW Family Education Centre.
President Ken Lewenza will open the conference with a speech to the CAW Council at 9:15 AM this morning.
Lewenza is expected to cover the current crisis facing Canada’s auto industry and update negotiations with General Motors and Chrysler.
Federal Industry Minister Tony Clement wants the CAW to give up more when it comes to talks with Chrysler.
But the union has so far insisted it will stick to the pattern set in its labour agreement with General Motors.
Lewenza will also highlight current campaigns that the union has undertaken — including the fight to protect workers severance and pension benefits.
Delegates to CAW Council will debate a series of recommendations from Lewenza over the course of three days.
Members will also continue organizing a massive labour demonstration at Queen’s Park scheduled for next Thursday April 23rd.
The CAW — Canada’s largest private sector union — represents 225 thousand workers across the country.