Michael Lyons began his union involvement at Northern Electric in Bramalea, where he was active in the United Auto Workers (now part of Unifor).
In the early 1970s, he was a staff member of the Public Service Alliance of Canada, and in 1977 was hired by the Labour Council of Metro Toronto, later to become executive secretary and the elected president of the labour council from 1985 to 1988, a time of great expansion of the labour council’s programs, projects and staff.
– Interviewed by David Kidd and Manda Vrkljan
Michael Lyons: Interview #1
Born in 1941 in Toronto, Lyons reminisces about growing up in a left-wing Jewish family that lived near the Dufferin racetrack (now the Dufferin Mall).
Educated at what was then Ryerson Polytechnical Institute, he describes his early jobs.
Michael Lyons: Interview #2
In 1963, Lyons began working in quality engineering/quality control at Northern Electric (later Nortel) in Bramalea.
He describes his involvement in bringing in the United Auto Workers to represent a technical, office and professional unit at the plant.
He was later hired by the Public Service Alliance of Canada in a role that involved education, organizing and grievance handling.
Michael Lyons: Interview #3
In this interview, Lyons focuses on his work at the Labour Council of Metro Toronto, a period of great expansion.
Also discussed is his work at the Public Service Alliance of Canada before the labour council, and his work as a consultant after he stepped down from the labour council.
Michael Lyons: Interview #4
In this interview, Lyons provides more information about the programs and achievements of the labour council, and some difficult internal issues.