A Convention to Remember
The MFL Convention held on the 50th anniversary of the Federation receiving its charter dealt with many important issues.
The 2006 Convention of the Manitoba Federation of Labour was held from November 2 to 4. Attending the three-day convention were 445 registered delegates, 65 guests and nine observers. The convention included speeches by many high profile Canadians including the premier of Manitoba, presentations by a variety of groups, awards to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the labour movement, and many discussions and resolutions on issues of importance to working men and women.
At the start of the convention, President Darlene Dziewit spoke to the delegates about her views on some of the key issues facing labour today.
During the course of the convention, over 70 resolutions were discussed and voted on by the delegates. Among those that generated the most animated debate included resolutions dealing with racial profiling, human rights, and on child care.
A number of the resolutions put forward by the Women's Committee came in for a lot of discussion on the floor. To a large degree, the need for these debates stemmed from the fact that a lot of what Prime Minister Harper is doing is targeted at women.
The resolution dealing with racial profiling by law enforcement officials and government security agencies prompted a number of delegates to come to the microphones to talk about their personal experiences.
One delegate said that "When we go into a store, my husband, who is white, could walk around and steal everything. All the security people are busy following me around because I'm aboriginal."
Another aboriginal delegate related how she was embarrassed to the point of making it temporarily difficult to continue her efforts toward obtaining a university education when a professor upset her by telling a "squaw joke" in class. A black delegate told how police will stop her or her children when they're driving their car "because it looks like too nice a car for someone like you. They don't seem to realize that people of colour can be doctors, lawyers and other professionals".
The resolution on racial profiling was unanimously approved by the delegatges. They also unanimously endorsed an emergency resolution in support of farm families who are demanding that a farmer referendum be held to determine the future of the Canadian Wheat Board. Also adopted was an emergency resolution calling on the provincial government to intervene and prevent the privatization of the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority's payroll, human resources, financial administration and supply chain management sections.
Convention delegates also unanimously endorsed an emergency resolution calling on Goodyear Tire, which recently said it would permanently close one of their plants after their workers went on strike, to negotiate fair and equitable contracts with its workers and return them to their jobs. The resolution also urges the company to respect contributions made by its current and retired workers and pay wages, pensions and benefits fitting the North American standard of living.
Delegates recognized the importance of providing enough financial resources for the MFL to carry out its activities including important campaigns, such as those dealing with Workplace Safety and Health and Workers Compensation, to improve the lives of union members. To do that, the delegates adopted a resolution to increase per capita dues by five cents per member in July 2007 and by a further two cents per member in July 2008.
During the three days of the convention, a number of awards were given out to people who have made significant contributions to the House of Labour. CUPE Sister Lorraine Sigurdson was presented with the 2006 Judy Cook Woman of Achievement Award in recognition of her contributions to the betterment of women in the Manitoba Labour Movement during her many years of service.
As part of the 50th anniversary of the MFL receiving its Charter from the Canadian Labour Congress, the important contributions made by past Presidents was recognized by presenting them with laser engraved granite plaques. Honoured were Brother Wilf Hudson, President from 1985 to 1989 - Sister Susan Hart-Kulbaba, President from 1989 to 1995 and the MFL's first woman President - and Brother Rob Hilliard, President from 1995 to 2004.
Brother Harry Mesman, Brother Les Ellsworth and Sister Ellen Olfert were presented with Dick Martin Awards at the MFL Occupation Health Centre's Annual General Meeting. The Dick Martin Award recognizes the recipient's dedication to the betterment of occupational health in Manitoba. Click here for details on this year's recipients.
Other awards presented during the convention included the 2006 MFL Youth Award to Brian Spencler - and the first ever MFL President's Award of Merit which was presented to Eugene Kostyra.
An election was held on the last day of the convention the convention to choose the people who will serve on the MFL Executive Council.
Speakers from across Canada addressed the delegates during the convention. Some of those speakers were:
Manitoba Premier Gary Doer
Federal Member of Parliament Bill Blaikie
Manitoba Labour Minister Nancy Allan
Kathleen Connors, Chairperson of the Canadian Health Care Coalition
Canadian Labour Congress President Ken Georgetti
