Kari
Jefford, President
“The members of Local 229 are
our most important resource. Our goal is to bring back transparency,
accountability and responsibility to our Local. Our vision is to provide members
the tools they need to create an environment that empowers members to take
charge of their workplaces and communities at the grassroots level. It is time
for a change! Come out and make your voice heard!”
Kari Jefford has worked as an
Employment Counsellor at YES Employment Services for the past 13 years. She was
instrumental in the campaign to unionize her workplace and has served as Unit
Chair since they joined Local 229 in 2004. She graduated from the four week PEL
program in 2006 and was trained as a Discussion Leader with the National Union
in 2006. She sits as the Chair of the Education Committee where she works
tirelessly to bring education to the entire local. Kari was elected to Local
229’s Executive Board as Sergeant at Arms in 2007. She has bargained three
collective agreements and two contracts prior to organizing in 2004. Since 2007
Kari has been co-coordinating and delivering Earth Day Presentations to
thousands of students in schools across Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario for
the CAW National Health, Safety and Environment Department. Since Kari started
with CAW Local 229 she has been a very dedicated trade unionist, social activist
and lobbyist serving on the Local’s Education Committee, Union and Politics
Committee, Recreation Committee, Women’s Committee and has spear headed and
volunteered on countless campaigns at the Local level. Recently Kari lobbied
local provincial MPP’s after her employer had received news of job cuts to her
workplace. She was able to help secure additional funding which resulted in
gaining permanent full time positions.
Suzanne Pulice,
Vice President
Suzanne has worked as an RPN in the City Homes
for 27 years with 26 of those years being on the Alzheimer’s units. She has been
a union activist for many years, she has been a steward and the unit chair at
Pioneer Ridge and has sat on many committees over the years.. Has sat on the
Executive Board as a trustee and the Director of Women’s Issue. Was the chair of
the women’s committee since the beginning of Local 229 until she stepped down
and was elected to the position of Vice President for the local. She has
actively advocated for women’s issues particularly the homeless and women who
have been victims of violence. She also sits on the board of the Clothing
Assistance Mission who is in partnership with local 229 in the Undercover
Project. Suzanne is a dedicated individual who puts the needs of the members
first and foremost at all times. She is a definite asset to the local executive
board.
Jason Cummings,
Financial Secretary
“I feel that Local 229 needs to get back to its roots. When we
first separated from SEIU our voices were heard and our Local Leadership had
their finger on the pulse of its members. With a change in leadership and some
new board members, Local 229 can get back to the business of representing all
members and their concerns!”
Jason is on his 3rd term on the
executive board and comes from Roseview Manor. Jason is the only original board
member since the move ten years ago from the SEIU. A strong labour activist,
Jason is the local executive liaison for the Local Health and Safety Committee,
Recreation Committee and the WSIB Committee. Jason is very knowledgeable in a
variety of health care and labour-related issues. Jason also works to assist
members with their WSIB/LTD claims.
Jody Powers, Recording Secretary
“Organizing the unorganized and bringing all workers rights to
the fore front is an issue that is paramount to making workers, their families
and communities stronger. We cannot forget who we represent and their everyday
struggles in and out of the workplace. I strongly believe that Local 229 needs
to get back the philosophy of a member driven local union.”
Jody has been a Registered
Practical Nurse and has worked for the past 25 years at Dawson Court on the
Special care unit, Jody served as the Unit Chair from 2004 until he joined the
Executive Board as a trustee. In 2007 Jody became the full time Community Based
Organizer for Local 229 and the full time Recording Secretary on the Executive
Board. Jody currently sits as a Trustee on the Nursing Homes and Related
Industries Pension Plan. Jody has organized numerous units in the Local and
believes strongly that all workers deserve to have their concerns heard and
addressed.
Angie
Martz, Sergeant At Arms
Angie graduated from Confederation College from the RPN program in
1998. She has worked at St Joseph's Hospital full time and Dawson Court since
1999. Angie is the newly elected unit chair of St Joseph’s Hospital representing
more than 400 members and is well aware of the many full scope challenges facing
RPN's today. Angie has completed WSIB and Grievance Handling and Workplace
Workshop courses at the Local office and is eager to further her education and
continue to develop her leadership skills.
Ed
Fisher, Director of Outlying Areas
Ed has served as Unit Chairperson for the Superior North Emergency Services (SNEMS)
for the past ten years. Born and raised in Southwestern Ontario on a farm, he
has worked in the automotive sector for over 14 years until layoffs caught up
with him in 1989. He was part of the CAW’s historic break away from the UAW in
1989. He became a paramedic in 1993 and is a very active labour activist, trade
unionist and a proud CAW Local 229 member.
Kathleen Swerhun, Director of Women’s Issues
Kathleen has served the as the Director of Women’s Issues on the Board of
Directors since 2007. She works to educate fellow members and the public on
women’s issues. Kathleen has created partnerships within the City such as Faye
Peterson House and the Neighbours, Friends and Family Campaign. She graduated
from the CAW four week PEL program in 2008 and is the current Unit Chairperson
at Dawson Court. She is extremely active in the community taking on a variety of
campaigns for the local union. Sister Swerhun is the acting co-chair for the
Undercover Project which the union has established in partnership with the
Clothing Assistance Mission.
Jeremy
Hayden, Trustee
Jeremy has been the Unit Chair at Roseview Manor since 2007 and has been serving
as a trustee on the Executive Board since 2007. He is a committed member of the
Local's Health Care Committee and Recreation Committee. Jeremy is a graduate of
the CAW four (4) week Paid Education Leave Training and he looks forward to
continuing to serve Local 229 members as a trustee on the Executive Board.
Kelli
Riva, Trustee
A graduate of four week PEL 2009, Kelli has participated in bargaining and has
been serving as a Steward in her workplace, St Joseph’s Hospital, since 2008.
Kelli has attended numerous Local Area Schools gaining new knowledge and skills
in WSIB, grievance handling and workplace leadership. Kelli will be representing
Local 229 as a Council Delegate for this term.
Paul
Mills, Trustee
Paul is the Unit Chair for Thunder Bay District Catholic School Board and is a
four week PEL graduate. He has attended many Local Area Schools such as WSIB,
grievance handling, workplace leadership, health and safety and collective
bargaining. Paul is a dedicated labour activist and advocate of working people
and members of Local 229.
Kathy
Atkins, Member at Large
Kathy has worked at Options Northwest employee since 1990. She was elected as
steward in 1993 and has served on every bargaining committee since. She was
elected as Unit Chair in 2000 and has served on the successful campaign with CAW
to prevent layoffs and home closures. Kathy has attended many CAW courses;
Bargaining in Healthcare, WSIB, Health and Safety and many one day workshops
offered by the Local.
Heather Spivak, Member at Large
Heather has served as a steward for 3 years and as a dedicated Unit
Chair for the past 6 years working tirelessly to represent our members and their
concerns at Lakehead University. She is/has been a Worker representative,
Co-chair of the Health and Safety committee at Lakehead for 3 years, holding a
Level 1 and 2 Certification and is familiar with the Occupational Health and
Safety Act. Heather is an enthusiastic Discussion Leader for the National Union
and is a graduate of the 4 week basic PEL which enables her to bring a solid
union education background to the table.
