On this episode of the CUSW Spotlight Podcast, we’re going back to the beginning, to the stories, people, and ideas that built the𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀. Joining us is 𝗧𝗼𝗺 𝗠𝗮𝗰𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗻, a founding member of CUSW and the union’s National Business Development and Strategy Lead.

Tom’s career spans nearly four decades in the labour movement. He started on the tools as an apprentice at Ontario Hydro, worked maintenance at Chrysler plants in Windsor and Brampton, and served in countless leadership roles, from steward and chief steward to president, vice president, and now national representative. His journey has given him a front-row seat to the evolution of CUSW — from a bold idea shared among a few determined tradespeople to the strong, forward-looking community it is today.

In this episode, Tom MacLean and host Dan Plexman, talk about the early days of CUSW — the challenges, the risk, and the belief that workers could build something better together. They dive into how organizing has changed over the years, and why participation and member empowerment remain at the heart of everything we do.

Listeners will hear firsthand what it takes to grow a union that adapts to change while staying true to its values. It’s a candid, inspiring look at leadership, vision, and the legacy of collaboration that continues to drive CUSW forward.

𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝘃𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗖𝗨𝗦𝗪 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲, or what it means to truly build a union from the ground up, this episode is one you won’t want to miss.

Want to connect with Tom or learn more? Feel free to reach out to him directly at 𝘁𝗺𝗮𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻@𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘄.𝗰𝗮

Make sure you visit 𝗵𝘁𝘁𝗽𝘀://𝘄𝘄𝘄.𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘄.𝗰𝗮/ to explore more opportunities and resources. If you have a story to share, a guest to suggest, or a topic you’d like to hear on the podcast, email us at 𝗽𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁@𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘄.𝗰𝗮.

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with your network to help shine a spotlight on the incredible work happening at CUSW!

🔻 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗖𝗨𝗦𝗪 https://www.cusw.ca/who-we-are

🔻 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱 https://www.cusw.ca/news

🔻 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗰𝗵 https://www.cusw.ca/contact

🔻 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲𝗱 https://www.cusw.ca/participation-model

🔻 𝗡𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 https://thecuswspotlightpodcast.buzzs...

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🎵 Music Credits: Original music by Glen MacNeil (lyrics, vocals, guitar) with production by Brad MacNeil.

𝗧𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝗻, 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗖𝗨𝗦𝗪 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁!

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