Local 506 today honors a heritage that began in 1919 when courageous workers overcame hostility, threats and violence to join together for better lives.  As leaders and members of Local 506, we honor this through current struggles being heard in government, raising standards for workers on the job, and reaching out to new generation of workers yearning for a better life.

This has been a special year for me; my Father was a Labourer and his Father before him.  Being a third generation Labourer, I can recall attending my first picket line at the age of 12.  As my Father was organizing lines at each road leading into a new subdivision, my Grandfather stood tall blocking trucks from entering.  One particular recollection from that strike remains etched in my mind.  It was just after 6:00 a.m. when an immigrant worker they called Little Nicky (Little Nicky only stood 4’ tall), was standing on the road blocking a dump truck from entering as another dump truck came plowing through over the curb, knocking Little Nicky to the ground as the driver came to a screeching stop.  My Grandfather immediately pulled out his pocket knife and pulled the driver out of his cab.  As some of the picketers went to attend to Little Nicky, the others were pulling my Grandfather away from the driver.  As a 12 year old boy I was shaken and this memory has imbedded the strikes and struggles that LIUNA members have faced since 1919.

While keeping an eye on the future, Local 506 has not forgotten the past.  Since 1989 we have created a Recreation Centre for our Retired Members who have sacrificed a lifetime of hard work and loyalty to our great Local.  LIUNA Local 506’s commitment to providing formal education led to the creation of a Training Centre.  Many improvements have also been made to the health and safety standards, wages, benefits and pension.

From about 140 founding members, LIUNA Local 506 has extended to its’ current membership of more than 8,000.  More mergers and organizing have brought other sectors from exhibit and display to hospitality and waste management into LIUNA Local 506’s family.  We will continue to organize and diversify in order to establish more opportunities for our members and increase financial stability for our Local.

90 years later, as LIUNA Local 506 continues to grow, the challenge is to ensure that its’ members will always have a Union that is strong and proud.

As a third generation Labourer, I can’t help but feel proud to be your President.  I also feel an enormous sense of loyalty and conviction to carry on the fight and ensure to live up to my duty that our forefathers have instilled in me, “the Union is the most important voice workers have!”

As we enter into this holiday season let us not forget those who came before us, our accomplishments are attributed to them as I am certain our future remains solid with members like you.

Best wishes for a happy and healthy Holiday Season.