Defending the Defenders

For several centuries the Armed Forces of Canada have been guarding our land. Hand in hand with them has been the loyal civilian cadre. The latter bravely defend our interests but who defends theirs? For a long time no one!

Although the history of the Union of National Defence Employees essentially begins in the post-World War II period, union-type activity existed on many bases and stations during the war and, in a few isolated cases, even before then. Because there was no departmental staff association at National Defence, all the membership branches at bases and headquarters in Ottawa were directly affiliated to the Civil Service Federation, which had been in existence since the early 1900s.

In June 1953 representatives of 17 independent civilian employee associations met in Quebec City, just prior to the opening of the Federation Convention. They passed a motion "that the Group present go on record as endorsing the formation of a national organization of Department of National Defence Employees." There were 31 DND branches at that time. The 17 present represented 4805 people of an estimated total 5500 dues-paying individuals in National Defence.

A Constitution Committee proposed the name National Defence Employees Association, and the group accepted it. Gordon Shortreed of Clinton, Ontario, became the first President.

A provisional Finance Committee determined that dues of $4.00 per year would be required to house and pay a full time National Secretary-Treasurer and support staff in Ottawa. Ken Green was elected to that post and wisely decided to set off across Canada to organize more members.