The ILWU Canada Leadership Course held on February 14-19 at Harrison Hot Springs in British Columbia, was a tremendous success. Our class was bursting at the seams with 26 participants who attended from ILWU Canada Locals 502, 505, 508, 514, 517, Grain Workers Union Local 333 and the Retail Wholesale Union of British Columbia.
Participants were taught skills that included: working together as a team, public speaking, how to run a meeting, political action, how to challenge bullying and harassment, arbitrations, ethics and the function of a union.
Joining our local participants were special guest speakers that included: ILWU International President Bob McEllrath, International Secretary Treasurer Willie Adams, ILWU Canada President Emeritus Tom Dufresne, and Jim Sinclair, our past President of the British Columbia Federation of Labour.
I was personally happy to see three members from Grain Workers Union Local 333, a new local to ILWU Canada, being welcomed by everyone in a great showing of solidarity.
The expressions of solidarity that took place during the meetings and throughout the entire Leadership Course by the Brothers and Sisters made me proud to be a part of this great union.
Given the number and size of our last two training conferences,
ILWU Canada will consider holding two of these events in 2017, in order to accommodate the education needs of our members. Giving these Brothers and Sisters the skills they need to stand up and help lead our great union will ensure that our future will be a positive one.
In Solidarity,
Steve Nasby
2nd Vice President, ILWU Canada