Two of Canada's largest unions are considering a merger.
Talks between the Canadian Auto Workers union and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers union could lead to one of the largest labour consolidations in the country's history.
"We just started conversations in a preliminary stage about two months ago," CAW president Ken Lewenza told CTVNews.ca Friday.
The talks emerged from a Canadian Labour Congress meeting where the future of unions in Canada over the next five years was discussed, he said.
"We're going to continue to meet. I think there's still lots of work to do and we don't have a time frame," Lewenza said. "It's a process of sharing common objectives and dealing with differences."
The CAW represents 195,000 workers and CEP about 125,000.
The move comes as organized labour tries to strengthen its hand after years of economic decline in manufacturing, particularly in Ontario.
Lewenza said it has nothing to do with economics inside the unions, but rather they are looking at ways to have more influence over business and public policy.
"Everybody knows it's about representation," he said, noting CEP has solid membership in most provinces.
Lewenza also said the CAW's growth over the last 25 years is largely the result of mergers after it split from the UAW in 1985.
Joining with CEP is a continuation of that process, he said.
