Bob White (trade unionist)

Bob White OC
6th President of theCanadian Labour Congress
In office 1992–1999
Preceded by	Shirley Carr
Succeeded by	Ken Georgetti
1st President of theCanadian Auto Workers
In office 1985–1992
Preceded by	new office
Succeeded by	Buzz Hargrove
4th Canadian Director of theUnited Auto Workers
In office 1978–1985
Preceded by	Dennis McDermott
Succeeded by	office abolished
Personal details
Born	(1935-04-28)April 28, 1935 Upperlands,Northern Ireland
Died	February 19, 2017(2017-02-19)(aged 81) Kincardine, Ontario
Occupation	Trade unionist

Robert White,OC(April 28, 1935 – February 19, 2017) was a prominent leader in the Canadiantrade unionandlabour movementwho was the founding president of theCanadian Auto Workers(nowUnifor) after leading its separation from its American parent, theUnited Auto Workers,and then president of theCanadian Labour Congress.Born inNorthern Ireland,he emigrated with his family to Canada at age 13, settling inWoodstock, Ontario.White died in 2017 at the age of 81 in Kincardine, Ontario.

Labour movement

White began working at age 15 (Hay & Company - a wood furniture maker owned by US Plywood) and within a year he had already participated in astrike,his first pro-labour activity, and was elected a union steward at the age of 17. He led his first strike, against the same company, in 1957 at the age of 22, leading 500 workers off the job.Subsequently, White became fully immersed in the Canadianlabour movementas aunion organizerand then by 1959 president of Local 636 of theUnited Auto Workers(U.A.W.), a union based in the United States, that at the time had a large membership in Canadian industry (particularly inautomobile manufacturing). In 1960 White was appointed as international representative of the U.A.W. and assigned to organizing duties withinCanada.1972 saw White named as administrative assistant to the director of the National Office of the U.A.W. White succeededDennis McDermottas Canadian Director of the UAW in 1978.

In 1984, White encouraged the Canadian Membership of the U.A.W. to split away from the American union and form a new and separate entity, theCanadian Auto WorkersUnion (properly the National Automobile, Aerospace, Transportation and General Workers Union of Canada). An important event in the history of the Canadian labour movement, this split took place largely because the Canadian delegates to the U.A.W. conventions felt that they did not have a strength or voice at the American conventions. The schism and the formation of the C.A.W. as a separate entity was successful and White was acclaimed as the first leader of the fledgling union at the first C.A.W. convention in 1985.

Political activism

White became a national figure in Canadian labour and politics during this time and was outspoken in his opposition to the then proposedCanada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement.White served 3 terms as president of the largest private labour organization in Canada before stepping aside from this position to become the president of theCanadian Labour Congress(CLC) in 1992. In his capacity as leader of the CLC, White represented the interests of 2.2 million Canadian workers and was always a strong advocate ofsocial justiceissues andfair tradepractices, not only for Canadians but workers around the world.

White had been a vocal opponent of U.S.missile testingon Canadian soil and encouraged other world leaders to take a pro-active role against U.S. led military initiatives and continued to be an outspoken critic ofinternational trade agreementsthat he argued failed to recognize basic human andlabour rights.

Honours and positions

He was awardeddoctor of lawdegrees fromYork University,theUniversity of Toronto,theUniversity of Windsor,andSt. Francis Xavier University.He was also inducted into theOrder of Canadaas an Officer for his exceptional service to the country.

White was an advocate for jobs, labour andhuman rightsbefore several international forums including theG8and theOECD(the organization of the 25 most industrial nations). White was the President of theTrade Union Advisory Committee(TUAC) of theOrganisation for Economic Co-operation and Development(OECD). He was the first Canadian to hold the post. White was the chair of theCommonwealth Trade Union Council.White was also the chair of the Human and Trade Union Rights Committee of the 126 million-memberInternational Confederation of Free Trade Unions,the largest trade union body in the world. In retirement, he served as PresidentEmeritusof the CLC.

• Was a member of the Stadco. board, appointed byBob Rae,as to help turn around SkyDome (Rogers Centre) in the early 1990s.
• The Grey Bruce Labour Council distributes a $1 500 dollar annual scholarship to five high school students fromGrey CountyandBruce Countywho demonstrate involvement in the promotion of activities that promote values of social justice in the betterment of their community.

Books and films

• Bob White plays a major role in the 1985 documentary filmFinal OfferbySturla Gunnarssonand Robert Collison. It shows the 1984 contract negotiations with General Motors that led to the CAW's birth and split from the UAW. It examines life on the shop floor of a car factory along with the art of collective bargaining.

External links

• Canadian Labour Congress website
• C.A.W. Website
• Illustrated history of the C.A.W.
• Gindin Paper: Separation from the U.A.W.