Greetings,
This is my fourth campaign communication.
I want to start by saying how truly honoured I am to receive these latest two endorsements from Business Managers, one based in Eastern Canada and one from Western Canada, please take a few minutes to read them.
I am deeply moved by the support I have received from leaders across this great country and I look forward to sharing more endorsements in the coming weeks. You have heard me say many times that Canada is one big country and I am feeling the love from coast to coast to coast.
With that in mind, I am writing today about what it means to represent every sector, every province, and every member of the IBEW in Canada.
In this message, I want to focus on what has guided my work from the beginning: every sector, every province, and every member deserves a dedicated leader that listens, follows through, and keeps the whole District moving forward together.
The IBEW’s strength comes from the diversity of our membership and the unity of our purpose.
Across Canada, our members work in rail, telecommunications, manufacturing, paper, service, government, utilities, construction, defense, and emerging new industries. Each sector faces unique challenges, but every member depends on strong representation, skilled workers, and a union that understands the needs of their workplace.
Over the past four years, I have worked directly with many Local leaders to make sure every sector has a voice, every Local has the support it needs, and every member sees the value of a District that stands together.
From protecting jobs in manufacturing and paper, to advancing opportunities in telecommunications and emerging technologies, to defending public services, and supporting rail workers in maintaining safety and bargaining strength, our focus has been on building a stronger IBEW for all members.
Together, we will continue creating opportunities, protecting standards, and ensuring that every sector shares in the success of the IBEW.
That work continues because dedication to the members is more than a slogan. It means being accountable, doing the job, organizing new contractors, employers, and unrepresented bargaining units, putting our members to work, and having the tough conversations that come with tough situations.
Being dedicated to the members also means building strong relationships and trust with governments at the federal, provincial, and municipal levels, and earning that trust by following through on the commitments we make.
Being dedicated to the members means……Honesty, Integrity, and Trust.
Over the last 4 years, the number one priority of my administration has been to grow our membership, which increases our influence and grows worker power that we can utilize to improve the lives of all our members!
We should all be proud that the First District Canada has once again become a leading District within the IBEW. By working together, we have demonstrated that we can achieve great things.
I am dedicated to continuing this hard work for the benefit of every member, past, present and future. Which is why I am also sharing with you my Vision for the next 5 years. You can read more here.
I look forward to continuing to serve you and the members of the First District and I humbly ask for your continued support.
In solidarity,
Russ Shewchuk
International Vice President, District 1
Campaign number – (204) 481-7331