Stewart says Local 444 is on solid footing

Article content

Unifor Local 444’s new president promises to raise the visibility of the large union local’s leadership with members, push on social issues that impact all area residents and continue to use collective bargaining to address affordability issues.

James Stewart was elected Friday after a two-day voting process to fill the vacancy created by Dave Cassidy’s retirement.

Article content

Article content

“Our leadership is going to engage the membership and empower them to find their place in the union,” Stewart told the Windsor Star. “They’ve told us they want to see us more often, to increase the visibility of our leadership team and that’s something we can do.”

Stewart, who had been serving as secretary-treasurer since 2018, said ensuring the contract gains in the last round of bargaining are fulfilled and getting a clear picture from the membership where the focus should be in the next round of talks will also be a priority.

Another priority, he said, is continuing to be a social conscience to amplify the community’s voice on important issues such as health care, cost of living and housing.

“On social issues the goal is to partner with the people of Windsor-Essex to continue to be socially progressive,” Stewart said. “We are a large group and we can influence things for the better.

“Gary Parent, who just passed away, was a stalwart in helping the entire community this way on things like health care.”

Stewart said he takes over the helm of Local 444 with the local in a good position. Local 444 has grown to represent 33 workplaces, with 10,000 active employees and up to 8,000 retirees.

Article content

“We’re on solid footing,” Stewart said.

“We’re on the verge of a third shift coming back to Windsor Assembly, assuming the product is in demand. We’re preparing to launch a new vehicle (Charger) and there’s more good news coming after that.

“The battery plant is being built in Windsor and that’s a good thing for the city and Windsor Assembly, which will have three different powertrains (gas, hybrid, battery electric) to use on the new (STLA large) platform.”

Stewart said the flexibility of the retooled Windsor Assembly Plant will allow the company to make changes quickly with great flexibility to meet evolving market conditions.

“We’ll be able to make cars, trucks, SUVs and they can be gas, hybrid or electric power trains,” Steward said.

Peering into the future, Stewart said a highlight next year will be negotiating a new contract with Caesars Windsor at a time when the casino could be going through an ownership change. The Ontario government is currently renewing or selecting a new partner to run the gambling facility.

“The casino negotiations will be tough next year,” Stewart said.

Article content

Stewart said he feels the positions he’s held and the experience he’s gained, particularly in the past six years, served as an excellent apprenticeship.

In addition to being secretary-treasurer, Stewart served a little over a year as Local 444’s interim president (2017), was first vice-president, Windsor Assembly chair and a steward.

He’s also been chair of the Stellantis master bargaining committee in the past two rounds of contract negotiations with the automaker.

“I think the fit is better now that my daughters are older,” said Stewart of his decision to run for president. “It’s been more of a progression the way things played out.

“I think I’ve learned an incredible amount in the past six years as secretary-treasurer about running the local. We’ve also been through losing the third shift, the COVID pandemic and the vaccine mandates that were a great concern to many in our workplace.

“I’ve dealt with a lot of challenges.”

In being tightly involved in contract negotiations, Stewart said he’s also established relationships, not just with Stellantis officials, but with those at all the local’s workplaces.

“They all know me having been involved in negotiations,” Stewart said of the 33 employers.

“I’ve been part of all the decisions made for (Stellantis’s) Canadian plants. I don’t foresee problems as far as relationships go.”

Dwaddell@postmedia.com

Twitter.com/winstarwaddell

Article content