Notes From the Field: President’s Tour Summer Edition

This article is featured in the summer issue of the Union Stand

Veith House may look like a typical three-story structure in the heart of Halifax, but if you walk behind it, you’ll find it’s anything but.

Here, a flower garden and urban vegetable garden thrive, boasting an array of produce that includes tomatoes, beans and herbs. All distributed free to the community.

It’s an important part of the mandate for this 50-year-old community service hub, and the workplace for NSGEU member, and urban farm coordinator, Lily Levy.

In August, Lily took President Sandra Mullen on a tour through this urban gem. Together with Local 67 President Monica Marsh, they demonstrated the broader scope of Veith House’s work: a scope that includes helping new Canadians integrate into the community, offering youth camps in the summer months, general social services, family garden days, and distributing fresh veggies.

The visit to Veith House was a valuable opportunity for NSGEU members to share the joys and challenges of their work with the President. And it kicked off something even greater: a summer tour that saw Sandra visit more than two dozen similar workplaces, where she met more than 100 members, on a 1,500 km road trip from one end of the province to the other.

In the Halifax area, the President visited members of Local 222 of HRM, where Local President Aviva Donaldson offered a tour of the Dartmouth North Community Centre, as well as the HRM Fire and Emergency, Public Works, and Planning and Development. Just up the road, she was welcomed by an immunization team member at Public Health Services, LPN Colette Weare.

From HRM, the President’s tour headed east – and off the mainland. First stop: The NSCC’s Strait Area campus, where she visited Local 267 President Mark MacIver, as well as a team of maintenance workers. It was eye-opening to see such a thriving campus, and hear of the challenges faced by workers. The visit led deeper into the heart of Cape Breton, with stops to meet Local 39 President Arlene Ragan, a Home Support Worker in Inverness County, and members in Local 470 and 1670 at NSLC in Baddeck and Cheticamp.

A true highlight on the island leg came at Whycocomagh Provincial Park. Here, Local 1 Forestry Technician Keylen MacInnis gave an hour-long tour of the park’s facilities and sights, including stunning vistas of the Bras d’Or Lakes. Here, President Mullen, Keylen, and his co-workers in the park’s maintenance facility discussed the importance of the park, the importance of its workers, and their concerns about potential civil service cuts.

Perhaps the most interesting moment in Cape Breton happened aboard one of the province’s most iconic maritime vessels. The Englishtown Ferry has connected Englishtown and Jersey Cove across St. Ann’s Bay for over 150 years. It’s a 24-hour operation, and while no official visit had been scheduled, President Mullen made sure to meet and greet the all-female crew, and was delighted to spend time with NSGEU member, Engineer 1 Cynthia Naismith. It just goes to show, our members are everywhere!
With the island tour complete, the next leg of the President’s tour was about to begin. 400 kilometres to the west, along the Bay of Fundy coast.

Here, Sandra was greeted enthusiastically by more park workers, including Local 4 President John Rowlings, and NSGEU member Rick Dexter at Valleyview Provincial Park. She toured the facility, met with workers and enjoyed stunning views of Bridgetown and the Bay of Fundy, just as the fog rolled in.

Down the road, a meeting with member Monte Morrison at the NSLC in Weymouth highlighted a day that included a stop at historic Universite Sainte-Anne to meet with Local 45 President Arlene Comeau. Arlene is a Finance Officer, and has a firm grasp on declining admission numbers, that are creating challenges for universities all across the province. Here, Sandra also enjoyed a photo-op with more than 20 NSGEU members working at the university.

Other stops on the western leg included Blomidon Provincial Park, with Chief Care Taker Chelsea Ulhman, Park Attendant Makena Rueff, and Forest Technician Jordan Apostoleris – Chief Steward of Local 4. Our members at Blomidon Provincial Park were essential in helping a dog rescue off the Jodrey and Woodland trail system in August that made national news. The yellow lab Reese, fell 21 meters, was located by drone, and lifted back to safety by the Kings County Rope Rescue Team.

After Blomidon, Sandra traveled to Orchard Court to visit Darcy Thibaudeau of Local 130 – and at the far end of the province in Yarmouth – a visit to Local 59 YACRO to chat with Erica Sisco Dube. Also in Yarmouth, the President was very pleased to have the opportunity to meet Victoria Samson, a member of the new NSGEU Local 68: SHYFT Youth Services. At SHYFT, Samson does incredible work with young people, helping to make transition plans for residents, cooking meals, and also operating a community garden.

Finally, the tour came full circle and back to the city, at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. President Mullen, along with 1st VP Hugh Gillis met with Local 108 President Shannon Parker. On the visit, she met with members staffing the gallery, and toured a current exhibit featuring the works of artist Harold Cromwell. Cromwell is an artist who hails from Weymouth, Nova Scotia, the President’s hometown. Sandra was also pleased to be able to purchase a book about the life of Cromwell, a book designed by NSGEU member and Graphic Designer, Deborah Vail.

After more than four weeks, and many kilometres logged, the President’s summer tour has now come to an end. It was an exciting and rewarding time for all, but it’s just the beginning.

President Mullen is planning on expanding the tour through the year with regular visits to workplaces across the province, so stay tuned.

If you would be interested in a visit from President Mullen at your workplace, email: smacintyre@nsgeu.ca