News release

May 1, 2005

Gerry Halabecki re-elected PSAC Regional Executive Vice-President for Ontario

              TORONTO - Delegates to the PSAC’s Ontario regional convention have re-elected Gerry Halabecki as their Regional Executive Vice-President (REVP) for another three-year term. 

              “It is an honour and a privilege to be able to continue to work with the PSAC members in the Ontario region,” says Halabecki.  “Our union is stronger for the work we do, both within the union and within the broader labour movement.”

              “When the federal election is called, we will need to play a big part in ensuring that labour issues are on the agenda and that labour-friendly candidates are elected.  The labour movement acting together can and will make a difference.”

              Halabecki was first elected at PSAC’s triennial national convention in 2000.  Delegates to the PSAC’s 2003 convention changed the process to allow for the election of the union’s seven Regional Executive Vice-Presidents at a triennial convention in each region. 

              As an REVP, Halabecki chairs the PSAC Ontario Region Council and is responsible for activities in the region including the union’s participation in the Ontario Federation of Labour.  For the last three years, he was responsible for co-chairing the union’s strategy around bargaining for PSAC’s largest bargaining units, including Treasury Board and a number of Agencies, as well as sharing responsibility for the union’s education program.

              Halabecki has been active in the union since 1986, holding a number of positions in the PSAC’s Agriculture Union component.  Prior to his election in 2000, he worked for the Canadian Grain Commission in Thunder Bay.

              Ken Boone was elected as the alternate Regional Executive Vice-President for Ontario.  He would become the REVP in the event that Halabecki could not complete his term of office.

              The 230 delegates to the regional convention met from April 29 to May 1 in Toronto.  Among other topics, they discussed planning for a possible federal election call this spring. 

              The PSAC represents about 30,000 members in the union’s Ontario region, the majority of whom are employed in the federal public sector.

              At another PSAC regional convention, held in Ottawa this weekend, delegates (re)- elected Ed Cashman as the Regional Executive Vice-President for the union's National Capital Region.

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For information:           Louise Laporte, PSAC Communications,

                                          (613) 558-4975 (cell)

16-010505