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In his opening remarks to the Prairie Council, Western Director Scott Doherty emphasized Unifor’s broad vision to build a strong economy around good jobs.
“We have to prove ourselves worthy of the respect and admiration of Canadians by demanding good jobs for all,” said Doherty. “Not McJobs. Good jobs, with good benefits.”
Doherty described unions’ historical role in reducing inequality and ensuring that workers have power in their workplace. He said that without unions, it would be impossible for workers to get a fair share of the value they create.
“Canada and the Prairie provinces are richer than they ever been, and our Good Jobs campaign is about sharing the wealth that workers generate. Plain and simple,” he said.
As Unifor’s Good Jobs Summit approaches, he challenged Unifor locals to re-engage inactive members and reach out to like-minded organizations in the community to build the campaign beyond the walls of the union hall.
Doherty concluded by committing Unifor to breaking down barriers to organizing by actively seeking out new strategies, tactics, and tools to show that unions are valuable in every workplace, for every worker.
Prairie Council elected its first executive and committees.
Executive Board
Chair: Christy Best, Local 649
Vice-Chair: Guy Desforges, Local 445
Secretary-Treasurer: Chester Lagman, Local 2169
Members at Large: Mark Armstrong (Local 468), Clayton Burkholder (Local 892), Steve Kelly (Local 707A), Suzanne King (Local 681), Dave Kuntz (Local 1-S), Valerie Saliba (Local 4050)
Political Action Committee
Michelle Carter (Local 649-2), Darren Gibson (Local 144), Brian Lackey (Local 4534)
Health & Safety and Environment
Brent Charron (Local 144), Kim Conway (Local 707A), Dave Kindred (Local 1-S)
The Council’s five equity-seeking committees were elected at caucus meetings of their peers:
Lesbian, Gay Bisexual, Transgender
Kevin Awey (Local 4534), Kelly Ries (Local 650), Krista Wagner (Local 649)
Aboriginal & Racialized Workers
Dean Carvey (Local 773), Turesh Harnarine (Local 3007), Don Wren (Local 1-S)
Workers with Disabilities
Kevin Boutet (Local 2002), Mike Kapalka (Local 21A), Roger Taylor (Local 777)
Women’s Committee
Joyce Coleman (Local 3), Wilma Ellenburgh (Local 52A), Carmen LeDarney (Local 2169)
Young Worker’s Committee
Jesse Allaman (Local 3003), Jennifer Mestrovic (Local 468), Ashley Wright (Local 191)
