After leading UFCW Canada Local 503 through many challenges, battles and achievements, long-time activist André Dumas is passing the torch. To spend more time with family, Brother Dumas has decided to step down as Local 503 president, but will continue to work closely with the membership as a servicing representative. Brother Steeve Bégin will succeed Brother Dumas as the new Local 503 leader.

Before joining the labour movement, André was a member of the Canadian Air Force for more than eight years. He took up the retail meat cutting trade in the early 1980s and became involved with the union at the same time by negotiating the very first contract at his workplace, a Metro store in St-Jean-Chrysostome, Quebec.

In 1991, Brother Dumas joined the staff at Local 503, and was elected secretary treasurer 10 years later. Following the death of President Marie-Josée Lemieux in March 2005, the Local 503 executive board appointed Brother Dumas officer in charge, where he earned the full support of the membership who elected him leader in the subsequent election.

Brother Dumas also served UFCW Canada as a national vice-president, and as a force on the UFCW Quebec Provincial Council and the QFL General Council.

“UFCW Canada is tremendously grateful for the excellent leadership Andre has provided our union and the wider labour movement over the past 30 years,” says UFCW Canada National President Wayne Hanley. “His dedication to the union is unparalleled, and his proven commitment to improving the lives of working families serves as a model of activism for us all.”


Vol. X No. 22 • June 7, 2010