Empowerment and determination at the 2025 NDF Convention
July 18, 2025
This past week, more than 300 UFCW members and staff from across Canada landed in the beautiful city of St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, for the 2025 National Defence Fund (NDF) Convention.
Delegates from UFCW Locals 175 & 633 took part in plenary sessions as well as sector meetings including retail, hospitality and services, soft drink and warehouse, packinghouse, and more. Topics covered across the meetings included surveillance in the workplace, trends across the various industries, and workplace mental health.
“The members always come away from this convention with a lot of good information and resources about what’s going on in their sectors and in the labour movement across Canada,” said President Kelly Tosato. “It is always a great opportunity for UFCW members to connect and learn from each other, and return to their workplace energized, informed, and empowered.”
UFCW Canada Resident Elder Eric Flett opened the 2025 NDF Convention with an Indigenous welcome and teaching about humility. Elder Flett also made himself available to members who wanted to speak and held a traditional smudging ceremony outside the convention each morning as well.
During the opening morning, the crowd heard an inspirational message from UFCW International President Milton Jones who spoke about the current political economic climate in the U.S. and what it means for working people. Despite an administration determined to divide and conquer by weakening the labour board and undermining the rights and protections of workers, President Jones is hopeful. “Our strength is our unity and our solidarity,” said President Jones. “We are one union, one voice, one family.”
UFCW Canada National President Shawn Haggerty welcomed the delegates to the convention and spoke about the solidarity and determination that is needed right now across the country in the face of many challenges, including the U.S. tariffs which are having a significant impact on the jobs and livelihoods of Canadians.
The morning also included a recorded presentation from labour economist Jim Stanford on trade wars and tariffs. A panel discussion followed to address the impact these trade tensions can have on UFCW members’ wages and the affordability of daily life.
Later in the morning, Kristjan Bragason, the General Secretary of the IUF, spoke to delegates about challenges faced by workers around the globe. The IUF is a global union federation that advocates for working people across many industries. The IUF stands for International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco, and Allied Workers’ Associations. Learn more about the IUF here. [link]
Charlie Angus, former Member of Parliament (MP) for Timmins-James Bay, wrapped the convention with an inspiring talk as part of his Resistance Tour. Angus rallied delegates to stand up as a united front against those trying to build hatred and roll back the clock on human rights, workers’ rights, and all the things that make us Canadian.
The 2025 convention, which took place July 13 – 15, was hosted by the UFCW Eastern Provinces Council: Locals 1288P, 864, and 1252. Delegates stayed at the Delta St. John’s where the wonderful staff are members of UFCW Local 1252.
The NDF provides additional strike support to members in participating bargaining units to help those on the picket line stand strong and achieve a fair collective agreement. For more information, visit the UFCW Canada website.
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