Packing them in

UFCW Canada’s National Defence Fund 2008 conference, held in Halifax, attested to the fund’s ongoing success. For Wayne Covey, the conference has come a long way since the fund was established 22 years ago.

Covey is a packinghouse worker from “way back” who has served the NDF as a stalwart believer and advocate since it began in 1986, when over 1,000 meat packers wisely started pooling their resources in preparation for what proved to be a lengthy and historic strike against Gainers. Wayne represented Local 1118 (Alta.) on the NDF Administration Committee until his recent retirement.

“I can remember when the conference was just a handful of packinghouse guys. Since then, it’s flourished into a large community of UFCW Canada members, officers, and staff who come from across the country every year to participate in events, sectoral meetings, and presentations that not only foster a national sense of solidarity, but also demonstrate that NDF affiliation brings with it a value that far exceeds the fund’s $19-million reserve,” says Covey, who was honoured at this year’s conference for his remarkable contribution to the NDF’s development and growth. Local 832 union representative and activist Cyrus Lister from Manitoba was also recognized on his retirement.

“It is people like Wayne and Cyrus – bona fide trade unionists who take on the responsibility for ensuring that workers have all the protections they need – who have made the NDF the Canadian success story that it is,” says UFCW Canada National President Wayne Hanley, making reference to the point that the NDF is a Canadian initiative by and for UFCW Canada members.

Pictured at the Halifax conference are members of the NDF Adminsitration Committee with National President Hanley. From left to right: Jim Wells, Local 1518, B.C.; President Hanley; Neath; Covey; Paul Meinema, Local 1400, Sask.; André Dumas, Local 503, Que.; Lister; Louise Craig, Local 401, Alta.; Mario Maisonneuve, Local 1991P, Que.; Shawn Haggerty, Local 175, Ont.; and Craig Steeves, Local 1288P, N.B.

According to the NDF's administrator, Bryan Neath, the NDF is not only growing at a rapid rate – over 6,300 members have voted to join the optional fund in the last two years alone – but is also more reflective of the union in demographic, regional, and sectoral terms than it has ever been.

Of 45 local unions in Canada, 27 have members who are affiliated with the NDF, and half of the fund’s 35,000 members work in retail.

The NDF was established in 1986 as an optional fund to which bargaining units could choose to affiliate individually, with a small weekly contribution guaranteeing higher strike pay and other financial support in the event of a work stoppage. Intended originally for the often volatile packinghouse and other industrial workplaces, it became a popular option anywhere in the union where strikes or lockouts were likely. Neath also mentions that while many UFCW Canada members are drawn to the fund for financial considerations, just as many are attracted to the NDF for its non-monetary benefits, including sector specific meetings and the opportunity to be a part of a national forum.

This year’s conference, involving 200-plus attendees, also included a presentation by Victor Carrozzino of the UFCW Canada National Office and Kelly Nicholas of Locals 175 & 633. They provided a look at the union’s innovative web campus – an online education and training program that will be made available to all UFCW Canada members in 2009.

“The NDF is a good example of what can happen when UFCW Canada members combine their power and coordinate their efforts for a common purpose,” says UFCW Canada National President Wayne Hanley. “In addition to building a war chest that helps keep employers honest at the bargaining table, the NDF affiliates have created a network that serves the union as a model of collaboration.”

The 2009 NDF conference will be held in Quebec City.