USW leaders have thrown their support behind Bea Bruske and Siobhan Vipond for Canadian Labour Congress President and Executive Vice-President at the upcoming CLC Convention in Vancouver (May 4-8).
“These two strong and experienced union leaders are stepping up to run for top roles at the CLC at the right time and for the right reasons,” said Ken Neumann, USW National Director.
“Our movement is strongest when we work together. I know that Bea and Siobhan are motivated to rebuild the unity of our movement through mobilizing and engaging our grassroots membership.”
The United Steelworkers union continues to believe in the viability and strength of the CLC despite challenges in recent years. The union knows the value a strong CLC can bring to all workers – not just those with the benefits of union membership. USW believes in the necessity of mobilizing together as a movement to make positive, progressive change for those who are marginalized and experiencing unfairness and injustice.
Bea is the Secretary-Treasurer of UFCW Local 832 in Manitoba, a local union of 20,000 members strong. Bea is also Vice-President of the UFCW Canada National Council, which helps set the strategic direction for UFCW in Canada.
Over the past three decades, Bea has served workers and families as an activist, workers’ advocate, negotiator, community organizer and leader. Bea’s passion for the rights of working people was ignited in 1987, when she and her UFCW Local 832 co-workers held the line strong for 164 days to achieve a fair contract at the Westfair grocery chain in Manitoba.
Bea also serves on a number of other UFCW committees, health and welfare trusts and the Manitoba Federation of Labour. Bea is a former NDP candidate and is an executive board member of the Manitoba NDP.
Siobhan is currently serving her fourth elected term as Secretary-Treasurer of the Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL). Siobhan works tirelessly to defend the rights of workers in both the private and public sector, and is an advocate on occupational health and safety, women’s equality and the importance of workers’ voices at all levels of government and industry. Siobhan is the Treasurer of the Alberta NDP.
Siobhan has been a key part of the AFL’s “Join the Resistance” campaign, pushing back against the numerous cuts by Jason Kenney’s provincial government. Under Siobhan’s leadership, the AFL launched the Fair Start Campaign for Universal Early Childhood Education and Care in Alberta and is also the driving force behind labour’s increased participation in Pride events. Prior to the AFL, Siobhan worked as a stage and film technician and is a proud member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), where she served numerous roles at IATSE Local 210.
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