We have facilitated the donation of a vast collection of historical records from the Canadian Auto Workers (Unifor) Local 40, led by President David Amow, This union represents workers in manufacturing, hotel, textile, auto service, protection services, office and in the health care sectors. The collection contains records related to the labour activism of Portuguese immigrant women janitorial workers (“cleaning ladies”) in office building cleaning under the Cleaners’ Action program associated with St. Christopher House, including their strike (with the Food and Service Workers of Canada) at the First Canadian Place in 1984. It also contains records related with the organization of Portuguese immigrant factory workers at McGregor Hosiery Mills in Toronto and their strike in 1977. This collection also includes records for other unions that organized non-Portuguese immigrants and women in Toronto, including the Canadian Textile and Chemical Union.

The PCHP is deeply grateful to David Amow and the entire executive and membership of the CAW (Unifor) Local 40 for their donation.