Annual Society Council Gets A Boost of Energy
Last weekend, the Society of United Professionals (SUP/IFPTE Local 160) kicked off its annual council which took place over two days. The theme of this year’s gathering focused on “Building the Future of our Union”.
A range of guest speakers was invited to address the council delegates, which included Jim Standford, Director of the Centre for Future Work; Jennifer Hassum, Executive Director of the Broadbent Institute, Dr. Barbara Perry; Director of the Centre on Hate, Bias, and Extremism; Jackie Taylor, Steelworkers Local 9042, and Siophan Vipond, Executive Vice-President of the Canadian Labour Congress. Also on hand was IFPTE President Matt Biggs who brought greetings on behalf of the international union. President Biggs congratulated the Society for their hard-fought collective bargaining wins this year, highlighting the successes at Bruce Power, Hydro One, and the Electrical Safety Authority.
The Honourable Todd Smith, Ontario Minister of Energy, was the keynote speaker who talked about energy developments in the province. “None of this work can happen without thousands of engineers and scientists and accountants and IT professionals that make up the Society,” said the Minister. He went on further to say the work that Society members do “every day is going to be critical to helping the province grow”.
Nuclear energy was a significant topic that was discussed by several speakers. In the Society President’s report, Michelle Johnston said “We know we are at a crucial moment on climate change, and the consensus is clear: We need to meet the target for net-zero emissions, and we need to act now. And that means an electrical grid that is backed by emissions-free nuclear power.” President Biggs also shared that the “IFPTE is proud to advocate for clean, emissions-free nuclear power, and we are proud of all the work the Society has done to advocate with the provincial and federal government.”
L-R: Laurie Reid, Heather Erlen, Chris Graham, Michelle Johnston, Siobhan Vipond, and Matt Biggs