Media Advisory - CAW Rallies Members for Federal Election in Oshawa

    OSHAWA, ON, Sept. 23 /CNW/ - CAW President Ken Lewenza will be making his
first visit to Oshawa as the union's national president for a CAW membership
election rally on Wednesday, September 24.
    Lewenza will lay out the union's position of strategic voting to defeat
the Harper Conservatives, as endorsed by the CAW's Council, the parliament of
the union.
    "Stopping a Stephen Harper majority is one of the most important
challenges Canadian unions and progressives have ever faced," said Lewenza.
    The CAW is endorsing former CAW Local 222 President and NDP candidate
Mike Shields in the Oshawa riding. The seat is currently held by Conservative
MP Colin Carrie, who has been accused by GM workers of abandoning his
constituents during the announcement of the Oshawa truck plant closure in
June.
    In the neighbouring ridings of Durham and Whitby-Oshawa, the CAW is
endorsing an 'ABC' voting strategy (Anyone But Conservative), with the goal of
preventing a Conservative majority government. In particular, the union is
urging members to ensure Finance Minister Jim Flaherty does not get re-elected
to office.
    On the list of speakers at Wednesday's election membership rally will be
CAW President Ken Lewenza, Mike Shields and CAW Local 222 President Chris
Buckley. The meeting is part of a leadership election tour by Lewenza to
various communities across Ontario over the next two weeks.Wednesday, September 24, 2008 at 7 p.m.
    CAW Local 222 Hall - 1425 Phillip Murray Avenue
    Oshawa, Ontario

    Media are welcome.

For further information: CAW Communications, Shannon Devine, (cell)
[phone] or John McClyment, (cell) [phone] or visit: www.caw.ca