Local 712, IAMAW and Local 62, CAW Québec, Bombardier Aerospace

The ripple effect of collective involvement

The commitment of the presidents of the two unions, who personally involved themselves in all stages of the fundraising campaign to ensure that it would exceed its goals once again, is worthy of recognition.

At Bombardier Aerospace, the union presidents and the company president co-signed the letters of solicitation sent to employees. They attended all the planning meetings and delegated a union representative to each of the five campaign committees. They also recruited unionized canvassers, helped to train them, and encouraged them to personally hand the pledge cards to all unionized employees in order to create opportunities for small group discussions and awareness raising.

Union members followed the example of generosity set by the presidents by contributing their personal time to participate in auctions on Saturdays, and by meeting with fellow workers outside working hours.

All these activities were intended to renew the commitment of those who contribute to the campaign year after year, while encouraging others to give as well. They achieved their purpose, causing the number of unionized donors to climb from 1,463 to 1,545. This exemplary union collaboration positively influenced the success of the entire Centraide campaign at Bombardier in 2011.