So, those who know me know I'm active in my union. I've been laid off twice, and when bargaining at my next job ground to a halt and we got locked out in 2019 it was an eye opening experience to see the way we mobilized to support each other.My own advocacy takes many forms, and standing up for workers is one of them. I tend to get myself in trouble for calling out things that I don't agree with, but with a little work and pointed in the right direction I can be a loudmouth for good. So, I started attending regular meetings and became a Union Steward a couple years ago, joined a couple committees, did some work on member involvement, and started putting my name in the hat for different things. This weekend the culmination of that is, holy crap, they flew me to Ottawa for the Unifor Canadian Council.
Let me tell you a little bit about this union structure. Our local is one of many. Our workplace while unique is just one of several in the telecommunications sector, and that sector is one of several that are all part of the Unifor family. We're the biggest private sector union in Canada, and you probably interact with our members daily in one way or another.
At council, we compare notes and strategize and figure approaches to bargaining and building worker power in a way that this big picture thinking facilitates. And when an employer messes with one of us? There's some incredible resources behind the muscle that retaliates.
We get behind social justice initiatives, we get involved in politics and we work to shape policy that raises the floor for workers all across Canada. That's something to be proud of.
Anyway, all this to say it's a real treat to be out here and I'm enjoying every moment of it.