A Nationwide “Blitz” in the Capital: BAC leaders from across Canada demonstrate union strength in Ottawa

On April 30, the day before the Canadian Regional Council meeting and Canadian Congress, BAC local leaders from across Canada — as well as the IU Executive Board — hit the streets of Ottawa to assist Local 7 CN in a residential organizing “blitz.”

As IU Canada Regional Director Craig Strudwick explained, “an organizing blitz is when representatives from different locals come to one city to help a local with an organizing campaign. The blitz allows us to contact far more non-union workers than we usually could, and is a powerful show of union strength and solidarity.” The blitz tactic has been used by BAC in several US markets over the years, but this was the first time in recent memory that Canadian locals had committed to a joint effort.

“Getting the support from our brothers and sisters from the other locals made a massive difference in our ability to reach out to the residential bricklayers that we’re trying to organize,” said Local 7 CN Business Manager Sam Grimard. “On behalf of Local 7, we look forward to returning the favor in another local soon.”

IU President Tim Driscoll, who visited a number of jobsites along with Secretary-Treasurer Jerry Sullivan and Executive Vice President Keith Hocevar, thanked Local 7 CN for hosting the union’s first Canadian blitz. “Sam and his team have a solid plan for organizing in the residential sector, and we’re grateful that they welcomed us and our brothers and sisters from across Canada to help them show non-union bricklayers the power of BAC.”