Delegates returned for Day 3 of the Union of National Defence Employees’ 20th Triennial Convention following an evening of community building and connecting at the Banff Park Ranch.
Wednesday’s agenda featured an inspiring address from PSAC National President Sharon DeSousa, more important union business and the All Candidates Forum.
PSAC National President addresses delegates
Delegates welcomed PSAC National President Sharon DeSousa, who spoke about the challenges facing federal public service workers and the importance of standing together to protect strong public services.
“As the federal government gears up for major defence spending, it is increasingly relying on contractors, eroding the valuable expertise that already exists within the public service. Make no mistake. Contracting out of public services from coast to coast to coast is having consequences on our public safety.”
Sharon DeSOUSA, PSAC President
Convention Business
Following DeSousa’s address, delegates returned to the business of Convention.
Delegates considered and finalized resolutions brought forward by the General Committee and the Bylaws Committee.
‘The only effective answer to organized greed is organized labour’
Before breaking for lunch, delegates took part in a mobilization workshop hosted by PSAC’s Strike Mobilization Project Officer, Shaheen Lotun, and Lindsey Sparks, Regional Representative, PSAC Prairies.
Delegates honed skills like how to use the right words, how to identify and map leaders, how to have structured organizing conversations and how to chart member activity to gauge strike readiness.
Wearing black in support of #PSACTogether
After an afternoon of hearing Bylaw resolutions, delegates took a pause to stand in solidarity with their Treasury Board bargaining teams – sending a clear message to the employer that our solidarity is unshakable and we’re not going to back down.
Candidates take the stage
The day concluded with the All-Candidates Forum for the positions of National President, Executive Vice-President and Human Rights Advisor, moderated by John MacLennan.
The forum gave delegates an opportunity to hear directly from candidates about their priorities, experience and vision for UNDE before casting their votes.
With three days of debate, discussion and connection behind them, delegates recessed for the evening as UNDE’s 20th Triennial Convention moves toward its final days.
