National Defence Convention celebrates 40 years of strength and solidarity in Calgary
Calgary – July 29, 2026 – Hundreds of UFCW members gathered in Calgary this week for annual National Defence Fund (NDF) convention. This years’ convention, which was graciously hosted by UFCW Local 401, this convention marked the 40th anniversary of the creation of the fund back in the province where it first started.
The National Defence Fund began in Alberta in 1986, in anticipation of major strikes in the packinghouse industry: that year, it supported more than 1,500 packinghouse workers during long strikes and lockouts, ensuring that the workers had a united front. Since then, the fund has grown into a nine-figure strike fund with over 100,000 members from across the country.
The two-day convention began with a traditional Indigenous opening by UFCW Canada Resident Elder Eric Flett, followed by keynotes speeches by UFCW Local 401 President Tom Hesse, UFCW International Secretary-Treasurer Shawn Haggerty, and UFCW Canada National President Barry Sawyer. IUF President Mark Lauritsen was celebrated for his many years of service upon his recent retirement as International Vice-President and Director of the UFCW International’s Food Processing, Packing and Manufacturing Division.
"The history of our union’s strike fund proves we are more than capable of rising to the occasion and turning division into a rock-solid force of solidarity that stands firmly decades after it was even conceived around a small table led by a group of members with big aspirations and an even bigger sense of shared responsibility," said UFCW Canada National President Barry Sawyer in his address.
"At a time when those in power continue to appeal to our lesser selves,” Sawyer continued. “We must hold true to our values to a legacy and a tradition of one hand holding up another one member supporting another, bargaining unit by bargaining unit, shopfloor by shopfloor.”
Dr. Adam King from the Labour Studies Department at the University of Manitoba delivered an address on the power of strikes and collective action in the labour movement in Canada. Following this, he joined a panel discussion on the strength of the NDF and strike funds with Local 1400 President Lucy Flack Figueredo, Local 501 President Isabelle Roy, and UFCW 175 member Bryan Dennis, Chief Steward at Cargill Dunlop.
Delegates also heard updates on key NDF initiatives, such as the NDF Toolbox and bargaining resources and the NDF strike school.
Afterwards, the convention split into sector-based content, where members participated relevant to their specific sector, such as surveillance pricing in food retail, digital AI systems in warehousing, heat stress, migrant member support, and more.
The convention closed with a performance of Packingtown, a multimedia community and video balled about North Edmonton’s meatpacking community, created by Maria Dunn, don Bouzek, Catherine Cole and Janice Melnychuck.
For photos of this week’s convention, visit the UFCW Canada Facebook page.
To learn more about the National Defence Fund and the integral support it provides to members, visit the UFCW Canada NDF website.
