Day Three - Wednesday, August 10

A little rain greeted the day, but it was not long before the sun broke through once again. The spouses embarked upon a bus for a grand tour of Nova Scotia. The delegates re-assembled in the Baronet Room for another day of business.

Sister Joan Jessome, President Nova Scotia Government & General Employees Union, welcomed the delegates to Nova Scotia. She encouraged us to continually push the envelope for workers’ rights, noting that it is “always easier to ask for forgiveness than beg for permission.” In closing she offered her assistance if we should ever need it in the future. Brother MacLennan thanked her and assured her that she could always draw on the support of UNDE from coast to coast.

The Bylaws Committee led off the day. Many of the Resolutions and follow-on discussion centred on strikes. How to motivate participants? How to inform them? How to guarantee their right to vote? How strikes are run? Should there be more remuneration?

In the afternoon, Peter Stoffer, New Democrat Member of Parliament for Sackville – Eastern Shore, gave a rousing speech. He highlighted his party’s past efforts in fighting the privatization of the supply chain but cautioned that the plan could still rear its ugly head again. He challenged the members to inform the NDP immediately if they noticed any indications of its return. He complimented UNDE and other public servants on the sterling service provided to the people of Canada, noting that no ships would be able to sail without our support. He particularly excoriated the current government trend toward contracting shipbuilding out to foreign countries when it should be done right here in Canada by Canadian workers. He highlighted the close relationship he had always enjoyed with UNDE in the past and vowed to continue it in the future.

Bylaws returned to caucus to reconsider a resolution, then faced a barrage of questions over the setting of the Executive Vice-President’s salary but still managed to finish up business by 16h00. The Finance Committee took the stage and used the last hour to present the fixed expenditures. The scheduled Employment Equity elections were postponed to Friday so that they could be held at the same time as the rest of the elections.