NATIONAL PRESIDENT/VP ONTARIO VISIT TO ONTARIO LOCALS – OCT/NOV 2007

Brother MacLennan the National President and I started the Ontario AGMs on the 22 Oct 07 and accompanying us on this years’ tour was Brother Barry Turner, the GLT Rep, and DVP ON, and Brother Roger Dodier, the Ontario Region Employment Equity Coordinator and PSST Rep.

Our first stop was in Petawawa with UNDE Local 629. There were no elections required this year, therefore, after introductions by the Local President, Brother Steve Gauthier he turned the microphone over to Brother MacLennan who addressed the membership in attendance on the state of the Union. Following his address to the members the meeting was turned over to Brother Turner who presented the GLT committee No-Zone Campaign followed by Brother Dodier’s presentation on the EE Committee and a short overview on the PSST Complaint process. Unfortunately, because of the unavailability of equipment, they were not able to show the videos or PowerPoint presentation. Afterwards, everyone was available to answer any questions. Also the UNDE apparel that I brought with me was raffled off to the members.

Immediately following the meeting with Local 629, we met with the Sunlite Members UNDE Local 639. Elections were conducted for the positions of President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Chief Steward. Sister Donna Fowler was elected President, Sister Debbie McCafferty acclaimed to the position of Vice President, Sister Cathy Peddle elected Secretary, Sister Brenda McLean elected as Treasurer, and the Chief Steward position remains vacant. Following the Elections Brother MacLennan provided an update on the state of the Union and answered questions concerning their contract and the process on strike action should they not ratify their agreement.

On the 23 Oct 07, we were in North Bay Ontario visiting UNDE Local 635. Brother Turner addressed the members in attendance and was able to show the members both videos: the No-Zone Campaign and the Apprenticeship Recruitment Video. After some lively discussions, Brother Dodier then went through his EE PowerPoint presentation. After both presentations, the elections were then conducted for the positions of Secretary, Treasurer and Chief Steward. Sister Nicole Rancourt was acclaimed to the position of Secretary, Sister Teresa Oman acclaimed as Treasurer and Brother Serge Bernard acclaimed as Chief Steward. Following the elections Brother MacLennan provided an update on the State of the Union and answered any questions.

After North Bay, we traveled to Borden on 24 Oct 07 for UNDE Local 619s Annual Meeting. Brother Norm Lucas was elected as President, the 2nd VP position remained vacant and Brother Gary Davis was acclaimed as Treasurer. Following the elections both Brothers Turner and Dodier, gave a short presentation on their portfolios, however due to technical difficulties, they were unable show their PowerPoint slides or the videos. Brother MacLennan, closed the afternoon meeting by addressing the membership and answering any questions.

Later that evening we met with the members at the Borden Firehall, UNDE Local 620 for their AGM. Brother Paul Boissoneault was acclaimed to the position of Vice President and Brother Dave Wesley acclaimed as Chief Steward. After the elections, Brother MacLennan addressed the members and answered questions on pensions, bargaining and concerns that are unique to the firefighters. On the 25 Oct 07, we headed towards London, UNDE Local 623 for their elections. Prior to the elections Brother Turner and Dodier were able to show the GLT videos and PowerPoint presentations to the members. Following their presentations the elections were conducted - with Sister Jennie Strochuk acclaimed to the position of President, Brother Tom Seewald elected as Vice President, Sister Denise Lang acclaimed as Secretary/Treasurer and Brother John Fullick as Chief Steward.

We finished the first week of our tour in Toronto with the members from UNDE Local 625. After the local finished up their local business, the elections were conducted. Brother Mike Esteves was acclaimed to the Position of Vice President, the Secretary position remained vacant, and Brother Pat Wynn was acclaimed to the position of Chief Steward. The two Auditor positions were not filled, however, it was stated that this would remain with the local to fill these positions. With time running short, Brother MacLennan presented the state of the union to the membership and then turned the meeting over to Brother Turner and Brother Dodier.

We started out again early Monday morning, 29 Oct 07 heading towards Kingston, UNDE Local 641, and their Annual Meeting. After introductions, we moved right into the election process. Brother Kevin Goodfellow was elected to the position of 1st Vice President, Brother Bill Moore acclaimed 3rd Vice President, Sister Claudette Theriault acclaimed Executive Secretary, and Brother Chris Snooks acclaimed Chief Steward. Following the elections the microphone was passed to Brother Turner who presented the No-Zone campaign and after several questions I then passed the microphone over to Brother Dodier followed by Brother MacLennan.

Tuesday 30 Oct 07, we were in Trenton to attend UNDE Local 637’s annual meting. First thing in the morning Brother MacLennan and I were invited to attend the CE LMRC and then after lunch we headed over to the Membership meeting. After introductions by Brother Gabovic we moved right into the elections. Brother Gabovic was acclaimed to the position of 1st Vice President, Sister Arlene Preston elected to the position of Secretary/Treasurer and Sister Celin Alexiuk acclaimed to the position of D/Chief Steward. Following the elections the microphone was handed over to Brother MacLennan and after to Brother Dodier with closing remarks from the Local President, Brother Barry Turner.

Immediately following Local 637’s meeting we drove over to IMP Local 642. After introductions by Sister Gumb, I immediately started with the elections. Sister Linda Gumb was acclaimed to the position of President, Brother Tom Bellow, acclaimed as Vice President and Brother Mark Geveart as Chief Steward. The meeting was then turned over to Brother MacLennan, who answered several questions on the state of the union and more specifically the state of their negotiations. Brother Dodier also addressed the members and spoke briefly on Employment Equity issues and his role as the EE rep/coordinator for Ontario Region. After the Meeting with the Members of IMP we quickly hurried back to the Holiday Inn, to meet with the members of the Sunlite Local 650 for their elections. After the membership finalized some local business and passed their Bylaws Unanimously, I then conducted their elections. Brother James White was acclaimed to the position of President, Sister Irene Lauzon was acclaimed Vice President, Sister Samantha Jackson was acclaimed Secretary/Treasurer and the position of Chief Steward remained vacant. I then turned the meeting over to Brother MacLennan, who congratulated the members on their first Collective Agreement and addressed them on the state of the union. He then handed the floor over to Brother Dodier.

Trenton was the last leg of the tour for Brothers MacLennan, Turner and Dodier.

My last AGM was held the 6 Nov 07 in Borden, for UNDE Local 636. Sister Lisa Adsit was acclaimed to the position of Vice President and Sister Annette Wyatt acclaimed to the position of Chief Steward.

With 13 Local visits, it was a very hectic and busy month. Brother MacLennan and I took full advantage to meet and visit with as members and locals as possible. It was also beneficial for the members to meet and speak with Brother Turner and Brother Dodier. Their presentations were informative and well received, even generating some lively discussions in some locals. I would like to thank everyone, for making us feel welcome and the Regional Tour interesting and fulfilling. It was an excellent tour.

Fraternally,

Submitted electronically,

Debra Nadeau
UNDE VP Ontario
Nadeau.D@forces.gc.ca
anadeau@csolve.net