UFCW Canada communicators meet in Toronto for national conference

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Toronto – October 25, 2013 – UFCW Canada communicators from across the country recently met in Toronto for the national communicators conference to further build on the union’s groundbreaking efforts as Canada’s most dynamic voice for workers and their families.

Initiated by National President Wayne Hanley, the UFCW Canada Communicators Conference brought together activists from seven different Local Unions and the national office who are dedicated to various communication efforts, including online organizing, digital campaigns, and social community building.

In addition to sharing ideas, expertise and insights, the conference also included several accomplished guest speakers, including:

Derek Blackadder, Senior Correspondent from LabourStart, demonstrated the tremendous potential and success of online campaigning efforts in Canada, and around the globe, to support the actions of workers and labour activists in the field.

Howard Elliott, the Managing Editor of the Hamilton Spectator and thespec.ca, talked about challenges facing local media outlets, and highlighted the numerous ways that Local Unions can work with journalist to get their story and the perspectives of the membership out to their fellow community members.   

Trish Hennessy, Ontario Director for the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, discussed the importance of going from getting attention to changing the agenda by using her work on income equality as an example.

Kathleen Monk, Senior Advisor for the Broadbent Institute, who also engages millions of Canadians as a regular panelist on the CBC’s National with Peter Mansbridge, shared her insights on reframing the issue.

And Marcel Wieder, from the Aurora Strategy Group, discussed political communications, and walked the group through a discussion about strategic campaigns.