Canadian unions' merger moves forward

The Canadian Auto Workers and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers unions have completed their planned merger in a move that will create the largest private sector union in Canada.

The new union, still unnamed, will represent more than 300,000 workers from 22 “major economic sectors” in every province, according to the CAW.

Local leaders and members of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers union voted at the group’s convention this week in Quebec City to form the new union with the CAW.

The founding convention will take place in 2013, but a date hasn’t been set, according to the CAW.

"With this new union we are sending out a clear message that labor is ready to do what is necessary to take on governments and employers who would like nothing better than to see us disappear," Dave Coles, the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers union’s national president, said in a statement.

The CAW last month ratified new four-year labor contracts with the Detroit 3. Rank-and-file members ratified the pacts by a wide margin.