Dear Sisters and Brothers,
Delegates at the PSAC 16th National Triennial Convention debated and voted on many resolutions that will mean big changes for our union, including the creation of Young Workers’ Committees, an initiative that started right here in the Prairies. But delegates also held elections for our national leadership, the results of which will mean even bigger changes for our region.
On that note, I want to congratulate Sister Robyn Benson for being elected PSAC National President. It is well deserved and, while she will no longer physically reside in the Prairies, she will always be a part of our region.
With Sister Benson’s election, the “Union Pride, Prairie Wide” sentiment has gone national. We can be proud of the work we do and how we, in the Prairies, lead by example. The work we do, within the federal government and its agencies, separate employers and Directly Chartered Locals, is vital to healthy and vibrant communities. Our Area Councils, Regional Women’s Committees, Human Rights Committees and locals are vital links to unite our members.
The Prairie Region has been hit hard by Harper’s austerity budget and our task remains the same: to support the members. We must continue to fight back against the Harper agenda that is intent on decimating federal public services that Canadians rely on. We must also continue to fight back against provincial and municipal governments who govern as a mirror to their federal counterparts.
I am excited and ready to take on the position of Regional Executive Vice-President for this region. Having been a member of the Prairie Region Council since its inception in 1998, I have seen how regionalization has brought our members together in solidarity.
I look forward to meeting with as many members as possible in the next few weeks. It’s a priority for me to get out into the region to introduce myself and get feedback from our committees, locals, national officers, staff and PRC reps.
We heard clearly at Convention that members want transparency, accountability and strong leadership that keep the interests of our members at the forefront. My first priority is the members, and my commitment is to ensure that our members have the information and resources they need.
I will be transitioning from Saskatoon to Winnipeg over the next few weeks. In the meantime, I can be contacted by email at hladunm@psac.com or cell (204) 805-4536. You may also contact Sister Alison Davis, Executive Assistant to the REVP and Brother Jeffrey Vallis, Regional Political Communications Officer, at the Winnipeg Regional Office. Their knowledge and expertise will be invaluable to both to the members and myself and I look forward to working with both of them.
In Solidarity,
Marianne Hladun
Regional Executive Vice-President
Prairie Region