1st National Convention

A proud moment in the life of the young National Defence Employees Association (NDEA) came when the first national convention was held in Saskatoon from 8 to 10 August 1955. The host branch had just recently been wrestled from the clutches of the Amalgamated Civil Service Association. This was heroically accomplished by aggressive organizing on the part of the National President Jim Wyllie and the Saskatchewan Provincial President Ken Fraser. What better place to celebrate their triumph?

Impressively 77 voting delegates and four fraternal ones represented nearly all 72 branches and 13,000 members. Two short years previously, NDEA had sprung into existence with barely 17 branches and 4000 members. A growth to be proud of!

Resolutions were adopted to formalize various positions, regularize pay periods and promote the five day / 40 hour workweek. Other items included a pension supplement, a minimum of $2000 starting salary for clerk Grade 2 and semi annual pay increments to decrease the five years required to move to the range maximum. The delegates also wanted an incentive plan and long-service pay for people who had been at their ceiling for five years.

A draft constitution was adopted with some modifications and new officers were elected. Two inaugural positions, Territorial President and Provincial President-Newfoundland, were added.

Following the convention, the Executive magnanimously granted the two full time staff, National Secretary-Treasurer Ken Green and Office Manager Clara Tessier, an additional five days of leave due to their tireless efforts in managing the gathering. Unfortunately, the pressures of post-convention reporting were certain to preclude any chance they might actually have to take the time off.