It’s fitting that Lawrence McKay was inducted into the New Brunswick Federation of Labour (NBFL) Honour Roll at the very hotel where he once stood shoulder-to-shoulder with workers during a hard-fought strike. The Delta Brunswick in Saint John is more than a venue – it’s a symbol of the battles Lawrence helped win, and the better future he helped build.
From the early 2000s, Lawrence was deeply involved in organizing work. After 9/11, when uncertainty loomed large, he and Mark Arsenault, now President of USW Local 5319, began organizing airport security screeners across Atlantic Canada.
“We were a team,” Mark recalled. “We organized screeners at seven airports – Halifax, Sydney, Charlottetown, Moncton, Bathurst, Saint John and Fredericton. Lawrence always made you feel like your voice mattered.”
He brought that same spirit to the bargaining table – one that was collaborative, calm and committed to the members. “Lawrence would educate the bargaining committee, listen to every idea and build confidence,” said Mark. “He reminded us that the members were our boss – he never lost sight of that.”
Lawrence’s legacy isn’t just in contracts or campaigns – it’s in the leaders he mentored. Carla Thibodeau first met Lawrence while working at Bower Credit Union. He was her Area Co-ordinator then. Today, she holds that very role herself.
“He believed in giving people a chance,” she said. “He saw something in me, helped me grow, and shaped how I lead to this day.”
One piece of advice from Lawrence has never left her:
“Don’t make promises you can’t keep. If you don’t know the answer, say so – and find out.” That honesty, patience, and commitment defined him.
In times of crisis, like during the 2006 and 2009-2011 strikes at Voisey’s Bay, Lawrence stood firm with Local 9508.
“He gave us confidence and perspective,” said former local president Darren Cove. “He treated every member with respect and never made you feel small. He led with heart.”
“Lawrence didn’t just negotiate contracts – he shaped lives. His name on the Honour Roll is more than a tribute. It’s a reminder that one person, standing firmly in solidarity, can make a lasting change in our labour movement,” said USW District 6 Director Kevon Stewart during the induction.
Thank you, Lawrence – for showing us what leadership truly looks like.
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