Unifor 199 fonds, 1937-2021

Unifor Local 199 first received its charter from UAW-CIO in December 1936 through the efforts of John K. Smith, George Campbell and Charles Williamson. These men organized the work force at McKinnon Industries, a subsidiary of General Motors in St. Catharines, Ont. The union membership totaled approximately 100 workers. Local 199 was one of the first Canadian groups to be included in the U.S. based United Autoworkers Union. In time the membership grew to over 1,000 by the time of the strike in 1948. By 1953 membership increased four fold to over 4,000. In 1940 workers at Anthes Imperial, Welland Vale Works and Shurly Works of the Welland Vale Manufacturing Co. joined the Local. Lincoln Foundry joined in 1951, Skillcraft Products in 1956 and Genaire in 1958. Local 199 rented office space above the St. Catharines Standard on Queen Street in December 1936. Later, the offices moved to Ontario Street, with meetings taking place at the Queensway Hotel. The Local relocated their office and meeting space to an old house at 3 Chestnut Street in 1950. On December 7th 1951 the union opened its new building on the site. An upper level was added in 1958. A new Union Hall on Bunting Road, designed by St. Catharines architect firm Macdonald and Zuberec, opened in 1973 allowing for increased meeting space, recreational options for retirees and plenty of parking. The wives, mothers and sisters of men of Local 199 received a charter from the UAW for Auxiliary 50 on November 29, 1937. These women formed a tight support network for their families and the families of Local 199 and the surrounding community. They were active in fundraising, creating recreational opportunities for members and their families and supporting the same families during strikes and labour disputes. The work of these women were invaluable in the success of the early days of Local 199. From its inception, Local 199 was involved in the local communities it represented. In the 1950s they supported civil defense programs and in 1949 formed its very own Credit Union focusing on financial benefits for its members. In 1964 Local 199 was one of the many local unions in the Niagara region to support the building of Brock University. The Union vigorously endorsed and encouraged its members to sign up for automatic deduction from their pay cheques to support this effort. Members raised over $500,000 and continued to support the education of the children of its members with a bursary fund to Brock University. Out of concern for access to medical care for the local community Local 199 spear headed the creation of the St. Catharines and District Community Group Health Foundation in 1967. The building was located on Pelham Road in St. Catharines and officially opened by local politicians and representatives of Local 199. In 1967 they lobbied local government to reduce transit fares for senior citizens. The Local was active in the St. Catharines Community Housing Project [Bethlehem Place], and later collaborated with Bethlehem Projects of Niagara to build affordable housing complex in St. Catharines. Other causes endorsed and supported by the Local included women’s rights, environment, human rights, and rights for the LGBT community. Local 199 supported recreational and sporting activities for its members and their families. Bowling, softball and hockey were some of the earliest activities. The Merry Macks, the women’s softball team, was one of the highest achieving sports teams. Men and women were equally encouraged and welcomed on various union supported teams. In the 1950s teen dances held at the hall on Carlisle Street were very popular amongst local teenagers. The highlight for many children were the annual picnics; first organized at Port Dalhousie, then Crystal Beach, Darien Lake and Fantasy Island. It was the highlight of the summer for many Local 199 families. In 1985 the Canadian units of the UAW broke away from their parent organization to form the new Canadian Autoworkers Union. The CAW had long struggled under US contract negotiations and felt it required a Canadian solution to negotiated settlements. On August 31, 2013 the Canadian Autoworkers Union and the Communications, Energy, and Paperworkers Union of Canada (CEP) amalgamated to form Unifor, combining two of Canada’s largest unions. Unifor Local 199 and 523 united in February 2017. Local 523 largely represented workers in Welland, Ontario. In 1989 Local 199 broke ground for the Retirement Village in vacant land adjacent to the hall. The retirees group is very active and support the work of the union and its membership. The construction of the village included bungalow townhouses where retirees could comfortably live out their later years. The Village was officially opened in 2003. Presidents: Jack Crozier, first president Clint Liptrott J.R. Doughty Bert Hillier Ernest Wheatley Art McGarr George Bennett William Race, 1954-1955 John L. Ideson, ????-1964 Jim Connell, 1964-1976 John Washuta 1976-1979 Gerry Michaud 1979-1987 Ron Davis 1987-1988 John Clout 1988-1990 Ron Davis 1990-1995 Gabe MacNally 1996-1997 Wayne Gates 1997-2000 Ron McIntosh 2000-2006 Wayne Gates 2006-

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