News release

May 9, 2005

Jean-François Des Lauriers re-elected PSAC Regional Executive Vice-President of the Northern Region

WHITEHORSE – Delegates to the PSAC’s Northern Region Convention have elected Jean-François Des Lauriers as their Regional Executive Vice-President (REVP) for a fourth 3-year term.

“In an extraordinary show of solidarity from union activists from across the North, private and public sector workers are united in their fight to defend against attacks from employers on wages and working conditions. This includes defending against continued cuts to public services and the erosion of our social rights,” said Des Lauriers after his election. 

Des Lauriers was first elected as REVP, North in 1997. From October 1996 to April 1997, he served as a director on the executive of the Yukon Employees Union (YEU). He also chaired the PSAC's Yukon Political Action Committee from 1994 to 1997.

He has been a PSAC member since 1978. He worked with Indian and Northern Affairs until 1990 when he transferred to Whitehorse Airport as a Firefighter. He served as President of Union of Canadian Transport Employees Local Y3022 from 1991 to 1996.

Suzette Montreuil was elected as the alternate REVP for the North.  She would become the REVP in the event that Des Lauriers could not complete his term of office. Montreuil works as a nurse in Yellowknife. She is the President of U.N.W. Local 11 and the Regional Chair.

The union convention from May 6 to May 8 in Whitehorse marked the largest ever labour event to be held in the North.  Over 200 participants attended, including a record 136 delegates.  Many motions and resolutions were discussed and voted on which included occupational health and safety, the fight against privatization of public services, First Nations’ labour relations and social justice issues.

The leader of the New Democratic Party of the Yukon, Todd Hardy spoke to members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) during the convention.

Dene National Chief Noeline Villebrun also spoke to the union delegates about the unprecedented joint Dene/PSAC Research Project regarding Dene workers’ rights that was initiated in January 2005.   Chief Villebrun discussed the need for similar joint projects to be conducted with Aboriginal, Inuit and Metis groups in the Yukon and Nunavut, as well as across Canada.

“The PSAC is the most important union in the North as we represent one of every three Northern workers.  We are proud of our solid record and we will continue to grow,” says Nycole Turmel, PSAC National President.

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For information: Don Dudar, PSAC Yellowknife office (867) 444-3343 (cell)

                           Alain Cossette, PSAC Communications (613) 560-4317