2009 Bylaw & Policy Conference – April 25, 2009

Joe Hansen - UFCW Internaional President

UFCW International President Joe Hansen was the first of three guest speakers at this year’s conference. President Hansen explained that the unity agenda – all of UFCW working together strategically – will create the building blocks for the future through strategic companywide and industry-wide bargaining among Local Unions to build stronger collective agreements.

“We need more workers on our side of the bargaining table. We have the Union on one side and the company on the other. But,” he explained “also on the company’s side is the non-union competition. We’re also up against the lower standards of those non-union employers like Wal-Mart.”

“Stewards and activist members are integral parts of our growth plan and you will be part of our success. Union stewards always have been and always will be the heart and soul of our Union. Stewards should take pride in the fact that their efforts and commitment are what allows your Union to grow and succeed for all members.”

President Hansen, who has been a union activist for 40 years, stated that the American government of the last eight years was the “absolute enemy of working families and the Labour movement.” UFCW International was one of the first Unions to back Barack Obama in his presidential campaign and mobilized many Union members to support him at rallies throughout the U.S. President Hansen emphasized that union members must be active politically.

“We can have the best organizing, the best growth plan, the most dedicated people and the best bargaining – but when you have a government led by someone like George Bush, they can decimate everything we worked decades to achieve.

In my view,” continued President Hansen, “Prime Minister Harper is completely out of touch with working families. But UFCW Canada and the Local Unions are fighting back – but our most powerful weapon is the strength of UFCW members.”

To the delegates he said: “It’s the acts of courage that each of you perform every day for your members. When you put them all together it makes the UFCW a powerful voice in our workplaces, in our communities and across the country.”

“Sisters and brothers, I urge you to stay involved. Stay strong and be engaged. Keep fighting for working families. Together there is nothing that the men and women of the UFCW cannot do.”