Local 1000A wants to thank the more than 180 activists who came out to the fifth annual Stewards’ Conference in Toronto from June 25 to 26. Your participation, enthusiasm and activism made the event one to remember.
Centered on the theme of ‘Organizing for Security,’ the conference was jammed packed with thought-provoking seminars, workshops and speeches and aimed to provide activists with a weekend of learning, training and rejuvenation.
Dr. Elaine Bernard, Executive Director of the Harvard Law School’s Labour and Worklife Program delivered a keynote presentation, touching on the attacks on workers’ rights in North America and informing conference participants about the importance of helping secure their own wages, benefits and working conditions by helping non-union workers win rights in their workplace. “The best way to predict the future is to create it, and it’s in the hands of stewards today to create the future,” Dr. Bernard said.
The conference was also an opportunity for activists to say goodbye to former President Kevin Corporon, who retired from his position effective July 1, 2010. “I am proud and humbled to have served our members and activists as the leader of this great union,” Corporon said to the activists. “It has been an honour for me and I have never taken it for granted. Thank you so much for all of the time we have shared together.”
Local 1000A President Pearl Sawyer, who was elected by the Executive Board as Corporon’s replacement, called him a mentor, friend and brother in her address to the stewards and thanked him for his ‘great leadership and a job well-done.”
“When I think of Kevin, many things come to mind, including: a dedicated leader, a strong advocate for our issues, a trailblazer in bargaining and labour relations, and a brilliant problem solver and a builder of activist initiatives,” Sawyer said. Effective July 1, Pearl took over as president.
“Pearl is a tireless worker on behalf of workers in this country and all around the world, she never stops and is an outstanding trade unionist,” Corporon said. “Her experience is in every field, whether it is collective bargaining, women’s issues, health and safety, WSIB (Workplace Safety and Insurance Board), organizing and education. Anything that involves the movement, Pearl has done it and done it outstandingly.”
In her address to members, Sawyer also spoke about the struggles faced by workers all across North America, as their standard of living, rights in the workplace, income security and pensions are increasingly targeted by corporations and governments. “Right now, it’s a tough time for the workers in this province— the working class is under attack,” said Sawyer. “People are concerned about job security, whether or not they will even be able to get to retirement and whether or not their children will have a decent future. It’s likely to get tougher.”
She urged activists to rise up and ensure the voices of their fellow workers and Ontarians are heard. “Who will speak up for the rights of the working class?” she said. “If we don’t rise up and speak for our members and Ontarians in general, you know the answer.”
Sandy Bailey, a part-time courtesy cashier at Dollar’s YIG, was a first-time participant at the conference. “I loved it,” she said. “I learned a lot and the speakers were very informative. I feel that I now have more experience and training to take back and share with the members.”
Heather Cohen, who works part-time at Joe Fresh in downtown Toronto, was glad she came. “It was very useful,” she said. “You learned how to start unions in other workplaces.”
Syeda Rizvi, who works part-time front-end at a Loblaws store in Ottawa, said the conference was excellent. “I learned so much and it was a lot of fun.”
