NATIONAL PRESIDENT/VP ONTARIO

VISIT TO ONTARIO LOCALS – NOV 2006

The ON AGMs started, in Borden, on the 7 Nov 2006, with Sunlite Local 636. The elections were conducted at the Rod & Gun, for the positions of President and Secretary/Treasurer. With 12 members signed in, Sister Lori Baker was acclaimed Local President and Sister Gina Brennan also to the position of Secretary/Treasurer. At all the meetings Brother MacLennan addressed the membership, and passed on information in reference to the state of “the union” at the National and PSAC levels, since the last UNDE / PSAC conventions. He filled members in on the Apprenticeship Program, raising the profile of UNDE including the current GLT/GS fightback campaign and the video that was produced and staring UNDE members from across the country, regional rates of pay, UNDE 40th Anniversary, etc.. Members were also given an opportunity to raise their questions and concerns on a wide variety of issues.

Brother MacLennan and I met in Borden on 15 Nov 06, for Local 619s Annual Meeting. With 286 members signed into the Terra Theatre Brother Larry Woodward was acclaimed to the position of 1st Vice President; Brother Murray Welch was acclaimed to the position of Chief Steward and Sister Karlin Roat was re-elected to the position of Secretary.

Later in the evening we met with the membership at the Borden Firehall, Local 620 for their AGM. With 22 members signed in Brother Serge Desbiens was acclaimed to the position of President; Brother Paul Boissoneault - elected to the position of Vice President; Brother George Peacock - acclaimed to the position of Secretary/Treasurer; Brother Dave Wesley - acclaimed as Chief Steward and Brother Nathan Clarke to the position of Health and Safety.

On the 16 November Brother MacLennan and I then traveled to North Bay for Local 635’s AGM. Brother Scott Steward – was acclaimed as President; Brother Kevin McNama - elected as Vice President, and Sister Diane Brown re-elected to the position of Secretary/Treasurer.

We started out on the afternoon, 20 Nov, in Trenton with Local 637 to conduct their elections and visit with the members. After the National Presidents’ address to the membership, the elections were conducted with Brother Barry Turner acclaimed to the Position of President, Brother Rayan Ayres acclaimed - 2nd Vice President; and Brother Denise Miluck - Chief Steward.

After the meeting with Local 637, Brother MacLennan, Brother Turner and I headed over to the area where IMP Local 642 is located, for their elections. Brother Blair Dirks was re-elected as President, Brother Bob Dallaire elected as Local Secretary; and Brother Michel Brassard was elected to as Treasurer.

Tuesday afternoon Brother MacLennan and I arrived in London ON, where Local 623 elections were conducted. Sister Cathy Chapin – President, Sister Dianne Redman - Vice President, Sister Denise Lang – Secretary, Brother John Fullick as Chief Shop Steward – were all acclaimed to their positions. Sister Paula Gilchrist – was elected Treasurer. During the Oath of office Brother MacLennan also swore in two Shop Stewards.

Wednesday 22 Nov, we headed to Toronto and Local 625 elections. This was definitely a unique election as there were three locations (Denison Bldg, Staff College and NDQAR), and as such elections were conducted via teleconference with Sgt of Arms at all locations. Brother Dan Barrett was acclaimed as Local President, and Brother Lawrence Laamanen - Treasurer. In addition, two Auditor positions where up for election and Brothers Bill Winter and Frank Fioroni were elected to these positions.

Tuesday 28 Nov, I was in Petawawa for Local 629’s Annual Meeting. Unfortunately, Brother MacLennan could not be in attendance and sent his regrets. Before the meeting commenced, I had the privilege along with the Local President Brother Bob King, to present the UNDE Memorial Scholarship to Brittany Larmand, daughter of Brother Robert Larmand. After the Scholarship Presentation, providing an update of information on the State of the Union and National Office, the elections were conducted. With 197 members in attendance, Brother Steve Gauthier was elected as President; Brother Doug Severin – elected 1st Vice President; Brother Steve Saunders – acclaimed 2nd Vice President; Sister Janet Cloutier – acclaimed 3rd Vice President; Sister Sharon Slaney – elected Secretary; Brother Roger Duguay – Treasurer and the Chief Steward position remains vacant at this time.

Following immediately after Local 629’s meeting, I then conducted the elections for Sunlite Local 639. With 14 members signed in, Sister Laura Zettler was elected as President; Sister Donna Fowler – Vice President; Sister Tina Durnford – Secretary and Sister Mellissa Biskup – Chief Steward. It was a very hectic, and busy month. Both Brother MacLennan and I took full advantage to meet and visit with as members and locals as possible. Thank you for making us welcome and the Regional Tour interesting and fulfilling.

I would also like to add a special thank you to all the Locals in the Region for your submissions and nominations of members, past and present; of whom the local felt should receive the special Silver 40th Anniversary Medallions, as referred to in a previous e-mail. Several heartfelt nominations were received making it a very difficult decision to make, however, in consultation with the National President, the following members where chosen and received the Silver 40th Anniversary Medallions:

Brother Don Butcher, (accepted on his behalf by his wife Sister Jackie Butcher);
Brother George Peacock;
Sister Lisa Adsit;
Sister Arlene Preston; and
Brother Kirk Wingert, (accepted on his behalf by his wife Laureen Wingert)

Fraternally,

Debra Nadeau
UNDE VP Ontario