uncharted.ca

OTTAWA - Willie Lambert isn't trying to fool anyone, least of all himself.

Back in April, he announced his plan to challenge long-term Canadian Auto Workers leader, Buzz Hargrove, at the union's convention in Vancouver next month. He's the first person in the 21-year history of the organization to openly challenge an incumbent president.

''We've become too accommodating, made too many concessions to the corporate agenda,'' says Lambert, a 44-year-old second-generation union member and chairman of his CAW unit at Oakville Transit. ''It's very troubling how far we've drifted away from our founding philosophy and aspirations.''

He concedes that the odds of defeating Hargrove, who's been at the helm of the union since 1992, are slim but, then again, Lambert is no stranger to losing, either.

Lambert has been defeated in two attempts to become president of the Ontario Federation of Labour, three stands as a federal NDP candidate and one run as a provincial candidate.

''I always accepted right out of the gate that I probably wouldn't win those elections,'' he concedes, ''but I think it's really important to take part in the debate anyway. It's better to do something than to just mumble and grumble.''

He adds: ''Someone has to step up. There's always a cost or a risk, but that doesn't bother me. Not anymore.''

His ego may be able to withstand a knock or two for the sake of principle, but Lambert concedes his wallet is considerably less resilient.

''It does cost me money every time out,'' he says. ''I have to pay all my travel costs to get to Vancouver and haven't been able to get around to talk to as many locals as I'd like because I have to work and I have limited funds. Sometimes, you just have to suck it up.''

His rival, by contrast, has the benefit of an extensive network of internal and external contacts. Not to mention a travel budget.

''Buzz Hargrove has quite a machine at his disposal, and that kind of entrenched power is really hard to fight. A lot of people have a lot at stake with the status quo,'' says Lambert. ''Buzz says he welcomes the debate and the challenge, but there's been quite a bit of pressure exerted from the administration to shut me out wherever possible. Even in my own local it's been a problem for me.''

In fact, his concerns about the lack of democracy within the CAW mark just one of his proposed areas for reform.

''It should be one member, one vote, and a lot less space between the union leadership and the rank-and-file,'' he insists. ''In the end, delegates have no responsibility to the local they represent at the convention. Grassroots members should have a more direct role than that.''

Lambert has already pledged that if he's elected next month, he'll work to ''re-mend fences'' between the union and the NDP after Hargove ''made a mockery of all our values.''

The fact that the National representation would not fully assist the Unit committee in this threatened time for the members, and wilfully not acknowledge the Saturday May 20th midnight strike date, as they were legal is a huge affront.

Lambert decided today that he would withdraw from the election race and announced he would endorse Hargrove as the national president.

Do not blame him.
He could not find one single delegate who would nominate him.
Talking about manipulation.
He had to withdrew.
That was the only reason.

Lambert decided today that he would withdraw from the election race and announced he would endorse Hargrove as the national president.