Local 306 holds its
first-ever convention

History was made in New
Brunswick this past June 24, when
1.W.A. CANADA Local 306, held
its first-ever biennial convention in
Miramichi. The union, which has
been active in the province since
the early 1960s, is back with deter-
mination to organize and build.

The convention, which was held
at the C-Shells Hall in Sky Park,
was attended by 60 Local 306 dele-
gates and over 15 visitors.

In an interview with the Lum-
berworker, Local 306 president
Aaron Power said the convention
offered local union members a
forum to debate and discuss poli-
cies and programs of the I.W.A.
and that it was enthusiastically
attended.

“It was what we have needed for
a long time,” said Brother Power,
who won election as the local union

resident. “We are trying to estab-

ish a tradition of having a province-
wide convention to promote greater
participation in our local union.”

The local union has about 280
members who work at the Nelson
Forest Products plywood mill, the
UPM-Kymme stud mill plant (for-
merly Repap Enterprises) and the
Northumberland Co-op in

1.W.A. officials in attendance
included national president Dave
Haggard, fourth national vice pres-
ident Norm Rivard, fifth national
vice president Wilf McIntyre,
national secretary treasurer Terry
Smith, Local 700 president Ron
Diotte, Local 2693 president Joe
Hanlon, Local 2995 president
Damien Roy, national director of
arbitration services Bob Navar-
retta, Local 2995 financial secre-
tary Guy Bourgouin, national orga-
nizing director Mike Hunter, and
Local 2693 executive board mem-
ber and organizer Manny Ranger.

“We are very pleased to see the
local union reorganize itself and
get itself ready for the future,” said
Brother Haggard, who gave the
keynote speech to the convention,
encouraging more New Brunswick-
ers to get involved in help build a
stronger local. :

Haggard told the media that the
union’s national organizing and
growth strategy is beginning to
take root in the province and the

public is becoming more aware
about the proud history of the
LW.A.

“The I.W.A. is a union that lifts
up workers and benefits communi-
ties,” says Haggard. “There are a
lot a great things that our mem-
bership can do for the province in
raising income and living stan-
dards. Those are issues that our
union stands up for.”

Also addressing the convention
were NDP federal member of
ee Yvon Godin

Bathurst/Accacadie, New
Brunswick Federation of Labour
President Blair Doucet, and provin-
cial NDP secretary Bruce Logan.
Past president Frank Girouard
and union lawyer Joel Michaud
were also on hand.

“The delegates got a chance to
see the direct link between our-

Photos courtesy Manny Rangor

e Pictured at the head table were Local 306 members Darren McFarlane,
national president Dave Haggard, national fifth V.P. Wilf McIntyre and

Local 306 president Aaron Power.

the struggle to build a better
future.”

“The I.W.A. is back in New
Brunswick organizing with a visi-
ble presence,” said Brother McIn-

e Present to show support were I.W.A. Local reps including (r. to 1.) Local
2698 first V.P. Joe Hanlon and Local 2995 financial secretary Guy Bour-

gouin.

selves and the provincial labour
body and our connection to the
NDP as well,” said Brother Power,
who replaced outgoing president
and union activist Terry Vickery.
“It was a good experience for all of
us to know that we are not alone in

tyre, who has overseen the union’s
activities in the province and the
establishment of an office in the
community of Miramichi - an office
which opened in November of last
year. “Not only are we organizing

to bring new members into the
union, but we are also organizing
internally to rebuild the local
union.”

At the convention, the local
adopted a new set of revised by-
laws. Like other locals in the I.W.A.,
Local 306’s mandate is to organize
all phases of the woods products
industry and workers in any other
part of the economy.

The local executive board con-
sists of the president, first and
second vice president, financial
secretary, recording secretary, con-
ductor, warden, and a representa-
tive from each sub-local. Three
trustees are also elected.

The convention saw nominations
of two candidates for the positions
of president, first and second vice
presidents and financial secretary.

Those nominees went to referen-
dum ballot. All other positions were
won by acclamation.

In addition to the election of
Brother Power (from Nelson Forest
Products) as president, terms of
two years began on July 26 for Pat
Hogan of Nelson Forest Products,
who became the first vice presdent,
Roger Whyte of UPM-Kymme, who
became the second vice president,
and John Richard of Northumber-
land Co-op, who became the finan-
cial secretary. Northumberland
members Mario Fortunato, Don
Kingston, and Donny Mills became
the recording secretary, warden
and conductor respectively while
the local elected three trustees, all
from Nelson Forest Products. They

continued on page fourteen

e The historic convention in Miramichi was attended by 60 local union delegates from three operations in New Brunswick.

LUMBERWORKER/DECEMBER, 2000/13