UFCW activists leading force at 2013 OFL Convention

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Toronto – November 29, 2013 – UFCW Canada activists from across Ontario came out in force for the 12^th Biennial OFL convention, involving more than 1,000 delegates and leaders representing a million plus union members throughout the province.

During the week-long convention, from November 24 to 29, UFCW Canada led the way on a number of important resolutions to help shape the OFL’s future, including a top priority item on the closure of the Heinz plant in Leamington, Ontario, impacting 650 UFCW Canada members and their families.

Other key UFCW Canada-led resolutions focused on the urgent need to reform Ontario’s workers’ compensation system, and as part of that leading effort, UFCW Canada Local 175 benefits representative Sheree Backus shared her extensive knowledge and experience with delegates during a a panel about the Ultra-Conservative attack on injured workers.

Local 1000A President Pearl Sawyer, and Bob Linton from the national office, were re-elected as Vice-Presidents, representing UFCW Canada members on the OFL executive board. And national representative Pablo Godoy was also re-elected to the executive board as the OFL Vice-President representing Workers of Colour. Brother Godoy was also honoured with the prestigious OFL Young Workers Award for his outstanding commitment to developing youth leadership and activism.

In addition to rallying activists on the convention floor, UFCW Canada also dedicated the week to mobilizing delegates online through a number of ground-breaking campaigns for fairness, including the Retirement Security campaign, which conventioneers gladly supported while passing by the dynamic UFCW Canada information booth.

Delegates were also treated to a live performance of 100 Years of Solidarity, a new CD compilation of labour songs written and performed by a new generation of Canadian artists and labour activists.