MEDIA RELEASE: New Executive Elected, Key Resolutions Passed

During the final day of NSGEU’s Triennial Convention, a new Executive team – consisting of President, 1st, 2nd and 3rd Vice-Presidents, and Secretary-Treasurer – was elected by delegates.

Sandra Mullen, a Licensing Officer with the Department of Community Services in Yarmouth (Local 16), was acclaimed as President.
“Collectively, we have been through a lot over the past few years – as a society and as a union,” said President Mullen.

“I am honoured to have the opportunity to guide the NSGEU through this next term and help advance the cause of all workers.”

Hugh Gillis, a Correctional Officer from Local 480C, was elected as 1st Vice-President; Tammy Gillis, a Deputy Prothonotary with the Department of Justice from Local 2, was elected as 2nd Vice-President; Peter Perry, an Anesthesia Assistant from Local 122, was elected as 3rd Vice-President, and Darren McPhee, a Community Care Worker for the Department of Community Services, was acclaimed as Secretary-Treasurer.

The 316 voting delegates in attendance at Convention passed a number of key resolutions during the three-day convention, laying a strong foundation for the union’s upcoming three-year term, including a special resolution to protect publicly funded and publicly delivered health care as the provincial government executes its strategic plan; a resolution to lobby to ensure that those who need gender-affirming care have access to comprehensive, publicly funded gender-affirming care; and a resolution to lobby for governments for access to affordable housing.

“Front line workers are the ones who have gotten us through the worst of this pandemic. Now, these same workers are facing extraordinary cost of living increases and staffing shortages in their workplaces,” said President Mullen.

“We will continue to stand together to achieve meaningful improvements to the lives of our members, working people and their families.”

Other highlights of Convention include:

• An opening performance by Mi’kmaw author and poet, Rebecca Thomas;
  A keynote address from Lily Chang, Secretary-Treasurer of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC);
  An address from Larry Brown, President of the National Union of Public & General Employees (NUPGE);
  An evening comedy show by the Cape Breton Summertime Revue;
  Local donations of more than $10,400 for the NSGEU’s Cancer Care Fund, which supports NSGEU members who are affected by cancer, and donations of $1,050 for Period Poverty.

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