Canada: CMAW Convention focuses on international union cooperation

Over 125 people attended the Convention of the Construction, Maintenance and Allied Workers in Canada (CMAW) that was held in Richmond, British Columbia on 19-21 September. 

BWI was represented by Dora Cervantes, Secretary-Treasurer and Chair of the BWI North American Women’s Committee; Vasyl Andreyev, President of Profbud; and Nilton Freitas, Regional Representative of BWI Latin America and the Carribean.  

The delegates elected Chris Wasilenchuk as new president of the union after the retirement of the previous president Jan Noster.  Chris has been an active member of CMAW since 2003 and brings a host of experience to his new role, including his most recent position as Vice-President and Business Agent of CMAW Local 1995.

The delegates at the Convention also expressed solidarity with construction workers in Panama and decided to support the Panamanian union Suntracs in their struggle against the anti-union behavior of the Canadian mining company First Quantum Minerals (LINK: https://www.bwint.org/cms/news-72/canadian-solidarity-with-workers-in-panama-1180)

They also decided to establish bilateral relations with the Ukrainian union PROFBUD and to support the youth committee of the Building and Wood Workers’ International by providing a contribution to BWI’s work on youth leadership development.

“The BWI recognizes that the future of a strong and dynamic global trade union moment is dependent upon a movement that is inclusive and committed to organizing women workers, young workers, and migrant workers,” said Vasyl Andreyev from the Ukrainian construction union PROFBUD and member of the BWI World Board who was invited as a guest to the Convention.