UFCW leads the way at 2017 OFL Convention

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Toronto – November 24, 2017 – UFCW Canada activists from across Ontario led the way at the 14^th Biennial Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) Convention, involving more than 1,200 delegates and leaders representing a million plus union members throughout the province.

During the week-long convention, held from November 20 to 24 in Toronto, UFCW played a major role in helping to re-elect the Moving Forward team of OFL President Chris Buckley, Secretary-Treasurer Patty Coates, and Executive Vice-President Ahmad Gaied to continue building and uniting the federation into 2019.

With widespread support from delegates waving Moving Forward bandanas, Patty Coates and Ahmad Gaied were acclaimed as OFL Secretary-Treasurer and Executive Vice-President, respectively, while Chris Buckley won re-election as President of the federation.

UFCW activists also played a key role in passing and speaking on the OFL Action Plan, which sets the course for the federation over the next two years by committing the OFL to advocate for decent work, human rights, strong public services, and helping more workers join a union.

As well, UFCW Canada Local 1006A member-activist Rechev Browne was elected as Vice President Alternate for the OFL Workers of Colour Committee.

In addition to rallying activists on the convention floor, UFCW Canada dedicated the week to mobilizing delegates through several ground-breaking campaigns for fairness, including the End Discrimination Against First Nations Children and Close the Gender Wage Gap initiatives, which conventioneers enthusiastically supported while passing by the dynamic UFCW Canada information booth.

Over the course of the action-packed convention, delegates heard from the legendary Stephen Lewis, federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, Ontario NDP leader Andrea Horwath, and freelance journalist Desmond Cole, and rallied on the streets of Toronto for fairness, unity, and justice for all Ontario workers.

Convention-goers also honoured and looked back on the legacy of long-time UFCW Canada activist Stan Raper, who was posthumously awarded the Bob Borch Human Rights Award for his important work in advancing the rights of migrant farm workers.

The next OFL Convention will be held in the fall of 2019.