The Other London

The year was 1958. Members were thrilled to hear that the Convention would be held in London. What a nice touch for the small contingent of members based in the "Jolly Old Country" - not to mention the happy delegates visiting from "The New World." What is this fine print? Ontario! Ah well, a lovely city in its own right.

Between 25 and 28 August, 134 delegates travelled to the Forest City, accompanied by a number of fraternal delegates, spouses and children. They represented 20,000 members of the National Defence Employees Association (NDEA) located across Canada, London England and Washington DC.

Prime topics for discussion were improved benefits for the Prevailing Rates (hourly paid trades) and overtime pay for classified employees. The budget increased per capita monthly dues to the lofty sum of 68 cents. Oh for the good old days!

Two Executive Vice-Presidents were elected: J Bryant returned to represent the West and J C Tanner was brought in for the East. The dividing line for their respective jurisdictions would be the Manitoba/Ontario border. National President Jim Wyllie stood unopposed for re-election. The Constitution was amended to Provide for an Executive Committee comprised of the National President, the two Executive Vice-Presidents, the National Secretary-Treasurer and two Provincial Presidents.

Inspirational speeches challenged the delegates to seek ever-greater achievements. Guest speaker Dr William Torpey introduced progressive new management concepts while National Secretary-Treasurer Ken Green demonstrated the potential for NDEA to seize control of all National Defence representation. For his part, Jim Wyllie proposed a slogan of "On to 30,000" members by 1961. Heady times indeed.