Alan Loyst
Al Loyst has been a member of the Canadian Auto Workers Union (CAW) for 29 years. During this time, he has had many opportunities to develop skills needed to assist the membership in obtaining good contracts and fair employment. He began his career with General Motors Canada in 1972 in the truck plant as a line worker. Since that time, he has held numerous positions in the CAW. In 1989, as “wellness co-ordinator” with the transition of the truck plant, he was instrumental in bargaining for a fitness centre. Eventually the truck plant was rebuilt to house not only state-of-the-art automated guided vehicles (AGVs) but also a fitness centre. He later became human-rights investigator and human-rights facilitator.
In the 1990s, Al held an elected position and worked at the CAW hall as a service representative for the membership. While in this position, he dealt with employee benefits, sick and accident E.I. compensation and pensions. In 1992, he went to the north plant of GM. As strike coordinator in 1997, he was instrumental in organizing a plant occupation, which led to a settlement and the sale of the plant to Peregrine Inc. As a member of the bargaining committee, a transition agreement was negotiated with GM and Peregrine. In 1998, he was elected district committee person. He was part of the negotiating committee and the transition work group that negotiated the first collective agreement in 2000.
Through his experiences with GM and Peregrine, Al has participated in both traditional and interest-based bargaining. Throughout his career, he has held delegate status with CLC and OFL and is currently an elected member of the CAW council.
Al is a trainer on IRC's Negotiation Skills program. |
