Bill Howes began his career in the labour movement in 1966 with a strike against Northern Electric. In 1972 he was hired by the Canadian Labour Congress to organize in the finance industry.
After five years of organizing, negotiating and servicing contracts, he was seconded to the Communications Workers of Canada to help organize Bell Canada Employees. Hired by the union after the campaign succeeded, he spent a dozen years organizing telephone workers from Alberta to Newfoundland.
In 1988 he became Executive Assistant to the President of the Toronto & York Region Labour Council. After another dozen years he retired and briefly ran his own company – Organizing Resources – where he assisted unions with organizing drives.
Retired, he devotes his time to the welfare of feral cats and volunteers on the Board of TWHP.
Interview #1: January 10th, 2023
Bill Howes describes his early involvement with the United Auto Workers at Northern Electric, as well as his organizing efforts with white-collar workers at insurance companies and other offices.
Later, he helped bring thousands of telecom workers into the Communications Workers of Canada. Also covered in the interview is some of his work at the Toronto and York Region Labour Council.
-Interviewed by Andy King and Lorne Slotnick
Interview #2: January 30th, 2023
Bill Howes takes us through his career in the labour movement, with particular emphasis on the organizing of the Days of Action against the Harris government.
-Interviewed by Andy King and Lorne Slotnick