Society leadership was in Winnipeg recently to attend the IFPTE’s 3rd annual Western Canada legislative conference. The Society joined IFPTE President Matt Biggs, representatives from TEAM, Local 161, and the Winnipeg Association of Public Service Officers (WAPSO), Local 162.
The theme for the conference, which was moderated by WAPSO President Richard Mahe, was exploring the role of political and legislative action as it relates to collective bargaining. With the election of a more labour-friendly government in Manitoba, there is great deal of optimism about what labour unions might be able to achieve for working people through political lobbying.
Among the guest speakers were Society President (and IFPTE Canadian Area Vice President) Michelle Johnston, Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) President Bea Bruske, Manitoba Minister of Labour and Immigration Malaya Marcelino, Winnipeg Labour Council President Melissa Dorvak, and Manitoba Federation of Labour President Kevin Rebeck.
This year’s conference provided members of the IFPTE family an opportunity to come together in solidarity to strategize and continue to build a legislative program that not only prioritizes the critically important issues facing our members, but to also understand the important link between a strong legislative program and success at the bargaining table.
