Roger Toussaint
Roger Toussaint
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Roger Toussaint is a Canadian union leader who was born on February 23, 1952.
Birth and Death Dates
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Not applicable (still alive)
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Toussaint holds Canadian nationality and has worked as an educator, labor activist, and former President of the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) union.
Early Life and Background
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Born in Trinidad and Tobago, Toussaint moved to Canada at a young age. He studied at McGill University, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in economics and later completed his Master's in industrial relations from the same institution. Prior to entering full-time education, Roger worked as an educator.
Major Accomplishments
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Toussaint played a significant role in shaping Canada's labor landscape through his work with the CAW. During his tenure as President (1998-2008), he led the union to several key victories. Notable achievements include:
Leading successful strikes and negotiations for improved wages, benefits, and working conditions
Advocating for workers' rights and social justice issues
* Strengthening ties between Canadian unions and their international counterparts
Notable Works or Actions
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Toussaint's most notable actions as CAW President include his leadership during the 2003-2004 strike by General Motors (GM) employees. The nine-week-long strike resulted in significant gains for workers, including a $500 million settlement from GM. He also played a key role in organizing solidarity rallies and protests in support of striking workers.
Impact and Legacy
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Roger Toussaint's legacy is marked by his unwavering commitment to improving working conditions and advocating for workers' rights. His tireless efforts have made a lasting impact on the lives of countless individuals and communities. He has been recognized with numerous awards for his contributions to labor activism and social justice.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Toussaint's quotes and actions continue to inspire people today. His unwavering dedication to the cause, coupled with his unshakeable conviction in the power of collective action, make him a widely quoted figure among activists, educators, and labor leaders.
Roger Toussaint is an iconic figure in Canadian labor history, leaving behind a lasting impact on workers' rights and social justice movements. His legacy serves as a testament to the transformative power of dedicated individuals who fight for a better world.
Quotes by Roger Toussaint
The Local 100 executive board has voted overwhelmingly to extend strike action to all MTA properties immediately.
The latest proposal is a very bad proposal and it remains to be seen how serious they are about this or whether they are trying to intimidate our members.
The members came to doubt that the key benefits of the deal would be forthcoming.
The clock is ticking and we have almost run out of time. I'm going to leave here and go back to the hotel and give it one more shot.
The hearts and minds of New York's transit workers are with Matthew and the entire Long family; we are praying for his recovery.
If Gov. Pataki wants to play a constructive role he should get involved in these negotiations, and he should restore money to mass transit because ... the state government has taken out funds from mass transit ... (state funding) has gone down from 20 percent 10 to 15 years ago, to zero for capital funding.
If the pension demands ... come off the table, that would go a long way to us resuming the negotiations and resolving the strike.
I'm pleased to announce that the local 100 executive board just voted overwhelmingly to direct transit workers to return to work immediately and to resume bus and subway service throughout the five boroughs in New York City.