ATU Canada’s 2020 Conference Goes Virtual

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the tough decision was made to cancel the July conference in Calgary. In mid-October, ATU Canada held its annual convention virtually via Zoom. Overall the convention was a great success despite a few expected technical hiccups.

International President John Costa addressed the delegates on the first day of the conference. “This has been endless, exhausting and stressful time since this pandemic hit North America,” Costa told the delegates. “I want to thank you for your leadership and your members for their heroism through this very difficult time.”

Costa congratulated the Locals on securing emergency transit funding and also discussed the challenges the ATU faces moving forward, including fighting for permanent dedicated transit funding, privatization efforts, and the Right-to-Work fight in Alberta.

Bea Bruske, UFCW activist

Guest speakers at the convention included Bea Bruske, UFCW activist who is now running to become president of the Canadian Labour Council, and Hamilton NDP MP and a great friend of ATU Canada, Matthew Green. Green touched upon some important pressing issues. The rise in efforts to privatize our public transit systems and the need to fight against it, the necessity of permanent operating funding, and the important relationship he has with the ATU.

Matthew Green, NDP MP for Hamilton Centre

Also, among the speakers were Gil McGowan, President of the Alberta Federation of Labour and Melissa Martin, a mental health therapist who spoke about the importance of mental health and resiliency during this difficult time.

Throughout the convention, there were discussions around personal protective equipment, the need for longer breaks during COVID, the U.S. election, fighting against privatization, and the challenges facing ATU members across Canada.

In all, despite the conference being held virtually, ATU Locals across the country were well represented.

There may be many challenges that lie ahead but those at the convention remained optimistic that our Union will weather those times and fight for a better future for our members and their families.