Contributions of GM workers overlooked

Dear Editor,

Lost in the GM announcement to close its Oshawa assembly plant are the numerous charitable organizations that depend on Unifor Local 222 and its members for financial support.

Local 222 and its members have a long and proud history of supporting worthy causes.

Local 222 financially supports the United Way, Simcoe Hall Settlement House, Habitat for Humanity, Oshawa Community Health Centre, Oshawa YMCA, Canadian Cancer Society, Friends of Second Marsh, Durham Hospice, Grandview Children’s Foundation, Heart and Stroke Foundation, Durham Children’s Aid Foundation, women’s shelters, and food banks across our communities.

These are just a few of the many organizations supported by Local 222 and its members.

Over the years, Local 222 helped build our community by establishing the Auto Workers Community Credit Union, donating to the building of the Civic Auditorium, donating $600,000 to the Oshawa hospital expansion, opening the dental clinic, supporting the Oshawa Seniors Centre buildings, donated $250,000 to help bring a university to Oshawa, donated to the building of the YMCA and employees donated more than $2.8 million to the Heroes of Hope campaign for the career centre through payroll deduction.

When you add it all up, because of its very existence, Local 222 has invested millions of dollars back into the community, a fact which has gone largely unnoticed. We can’t forget the Family Auxiliary, who themselves have donated around $400,000 back to the community through their catering work at the Union Hall. The Local Retirees Chapter also deserve to be recognized, each year they send out thousands of dollars to worthy causes.

Local 222 has done more for this community than any other organization. Maybe United Way CEO Cindy Murray and campaign director Robert Howard said it the best, Local 222 and its members have been valued partners in their mission to help the least advantaged to make a better community for all.

Local 222 and its members were there at the start and are here today and throughout the years have helped literally tens of thousands in this community. Their contributions have been exception, their loyalty steadfast and their support of this community. Now in their darkest hour Local 222 is asking for your needed support. You can help by attending a rally, call your MPP or MP, write letters to the Prime Minister and Premier.

We need them to step up and lead to save Oshawa GM, justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca., 613-992-4211, Twitter @justintrudeau, and doug.ford@pc.ola.org, 416-325-1941 and Twitter @fordnation

In closing I am a proud Unifor Local 222 retired member. It pains me to see that a union that has done so much for others has been left out in the cold by our elected politicians who are turning their backs on workers and the Canadian taxpayer. We deserve better.

Gord Vickers