Peter Cameron: From CAIMAW Organizer to Public Sector Leader
Peter Cameron was chief shop steward at the Phillips Cables plant in Vancouver, the first plant certified with the Canadian Electrical Workers, which merged with CAIMAW (Canadian Association of Industrial Mechanical and Electrical Workers) in 1969. He served on the CAIMAW national executive board and then came on staff as a national representative in the early 1970s.
This interview was conducted by Phil Legg on April 4, 2023 in Burnaby, BC. It is part of our Oral History Collection.
Peter Cameron was chief shop steward at the Phillips Cables plant in Vancouver, the first plant certified with the Canadian Electrical Workers, which merged with CAIMAW (Canadian Association of Industrial Mechanical and Electrical Workers) in 1969. He served on the CAIMAW national executive board and then came on staff as a national representative in the early 1970s. Peter negotiated collective agreements, handled arbitrations, and serviced local unions, especially in the mining industry where he played a key role, confronting a number of belligerent employers. He worked hard to establish a democratic Canadian union, replacing American-based unions, and organizing unorganized workers. Peter served on the Labour Relations Board. Peter then became the executive director of the Health Sciences Association (HSA) and later became part of the provincial government in the public sector, including serving as ADM (Assistant Deputy Minister) in the Ministry of Health.