Labour Appreciation Night
October 18, 2003 - Knights of Columbus Hall
Eight awards were handed out at Labour Appreciation Night, hosted by the Peterborough and District Labour Council on Saturday, October 18, 2003 at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 317 Hunter Street West. 42 trade union members and guests attended the sixth annual awards evening which included a buffet dinner and a presentation by Alexandra Dagg, Ontario Council President of the Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees.
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100 years of Labour Council experience honoured at
Labour Appreciation Night
Labour Council Long Service Awards
were presented to Neil McMahon (retiree, Amalgamated Transit Union Local
1320, Peterborough Transit) with 40 years, and to John Ball and Ray
Peters (both retirees from Canadian Auto Workers Local 524, GE Canada), who
each have 30 years as delegates to the Peterborough and District Labour Council
along with their many years of service to the labour movement.
Labour Activist of the Year
The Labour Activist of the Year Award was presented to Margot Marshall from Ontario Public Service Employees Union Local 345 at
the Peterborough Regional Health Centre. Margot, the Labour Council's Recording
Secretary, organized the Family Fun Day for OPSEU strikers, labour's entry in
the Canada Day Parade, the successful 'Meet and Greet' for NDP notables at the
Millennium Park and our biggest ever Labour Day Picnic. Margot was also
recognized for her community work with the Festival of Trees, Forecast and the
Peterborough Health Coalition.
Community Service Award
The Community Service Award was
presented to Eric Batten of Warsaw, retired Union Representative for the
Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union Local 294, a former two-term
Deputy Reeve of Dummer Township and recently acclaimed Reeve of Douro-Dummer
Township for his third three-year term, for his life of service to the trade
union movement and as an example to working people of participation in
community life and success in elected office.
Humanitarian Award
Donna Emby of Canadian Union
of Public Employees Local 1943, at St. Joseph's Health Centre, received the
Humanitarian Award for a life dedicated to helping her fellow workers. She
stood in the forefront of healthcare battles for pay equity and against
closures of beds and cutbacks in patient services.
Health and Safety Award
The Health and Safety Award to Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 4911 was accepted by George
Barron, former local president, for the success of the Peterborough's area
paramedics in challenging an arbitrary and discriminatory action by government.
A provincial government rule required only paramedics to submit to taking the
flu shot last year. Due to this local's protest, this regulation was rescinded
in 2003.
Labour Media Award
The Labour Media Award was presented
to Karen Hicks on behalf of the Peterborough Collective whose electronic
news and public affairs web site has, for four years and 38 editions, provided
a voice for social justice and social change from a left-of-centre perspective.
The award was given for their consistent support of the labour movement and for
providing a true alternative voice in our community.