Contact

RUSS SHEWCHUK

Candidate for re-election, International Vice President, IBEW First District (Canada)

PROVEN LEADERSHIP. PROVEN RESULTS.

For more than 35 years, Russ Shewchuk has dedicated his career to serving IBEW members, strengthening Local Unions, growing membership, protecting workers’ rights, and advancing opportunities for skilled trades workers across Canada.
 
From the jobsite to the executive boardroom, Russ has built a reputation as a leader who delivers results. His experience spans organizing, collective bargaining, labour relations, workforce development, pension and benefit administration, government relations, and advocacy at the highest levels of the labour movement.
 
Throughout his career, Russ has remained committed to a simple principle:
 
When Local Unions succeed, members succeed.

LEADERSHIP HIGHLIGHTS

  • 35+ Years of IBEW Membership
  • 15+ Years of Progressive IBEW Leadership Experience
  • President, National Electrical Trade Council (NETCO)
  • Canadian Executive Board Member, Canada's Building Trades Unions (CBTU)
  • Executive Board Member, Canadian Labour Congress (CLC)
  • Longest-Serving Business Manager in IBEW Local 2085 History
  • Four Consecutive Terms Elected and Re-Elected as Business Manager
  • Local Union Membership Growth from Approximately 500 to More Than 1,400 Members
  • Organized More Than 40 Employers
  • Chair of Negotiating Committees for Collective Agreements Across Multiple Sectors
  • Chairman, IBEW Western Construction Caucus

Progressive Experience and a record of results

International Vice President, IBEW Canada (Elected 1 term, Candidate for Re-Election, 2026)

2022-Present

At the IBEW 40th International Convention in Chicago, IL., IBEW delegates from across Canada made history by voting for new leadership and a stronger path forward by electing Russ Shewchuk as International Vice President of IBEW Canada.
 
Coming into leadership, Russ has dedicated the past four years to rebuilding a stronger foundation between the district office and local union offices. By enhancing resources to support local union leadership, advancing government relations in meaningful ways, and prioritizing organizing efforts across the country under Russ’s leadership, IBEW First District has: 
  • Increased membership by 13% across the district (+70,000 in 2024 vs. 62,000 in 2022).
    • Highest increase in BA membership across all IBEW 11 Districts, 2023
    • Highest increase in A membership across all IBEW 11 Districts, 2024
    • Highest increase in BA membership across all IBEW 11 Districts, 2024
    • Highest overall increase in membership across all IBEW 11 Districts, 2024
    • Highest increase in BA membership across all IBEW 11 Districts, 2025
  • Over 215 new contractors/employers added between 2022 and 2024.
  • Secured support from IBEW International Office to increase office capacity and provide greater support for local unions (Business Development, Education, Organizing).
  • Improved access to IBEW education and training, working through a backlog of training requests and improving training turnaround time to approximately six weeks.
  • Improved government relations strategy to enhance our voice among federal, provincial and municipal decision-makers on matters that impact our sectors and membership. This has resulted in stronger relationships with government now looking to the IBEW as a leader in the electrical sector. Russ holds the following appointments:
    • Government of Canada Electrification Committee (appointed by Prime Minister Mark Carney)
    • Government of Canada AI Board Committee (appointed by Secretary of State (Labour) John Zerucelli)
    • Labour Relations liaison to the Government of Canada for Skilled Trades (appointed by Senator Hassan Yussuf)
 

Business Manager, IBEW Local 2085 (Elected for Four Consecutive Terms)

2011-2022

As Business Manager of IBEW Local 2085 from 2011 to 2022, Russ led one of the most successful growth periods in the Local’s history, increasing membership from approximately 500 members to more than 1,400 members while expanding market share, organizing new employers, and creating opportunities for members across Manitoba and Nunavut. Under his leadership:
 
  • Membership nearly tripled.
  • More than 40 employers were successfully organized.
  • Market share expanded.
  • Employment opportunities increased.
  • New residential and condominium agreements were established, creating opportunities in sectors previously outside the IBEW.
  • Strong collective agreements were negotiated and administered on behalf of members throughout Manitoba and Nunavut.

Organizer/Business Agent, IBEW Local 2085

2001-2011

  • Organized over 40 companies using Bottom-Up and Top-Down strategies.
  • Membership grew from 500 to 1400 during Local 2085 tenure.
  • Developed Condo/Residential CBA for use in Manitoba via Local 353 Residential Organizing strategies: (we now have work in this sector that was vacant prior)

NATIONAL LEADERSHIP + Appointments

National Leadership

Russ currently serves as:
 
  • International Vice President, IBEW First District Canada
  • President, National Electrical Trade Council (NETCO)
  • Canadian Executive Board Member, Canada’s Building Trades Unions (CBTU)
  • Executive Board Member, Canadian Labour Congress (CLC)
 
These leadership roles provide a strong voice for IBEW members on issues affecting Canada’s economy, energy sector, skilled trades, labour policy, and workforce development

Government and Public Service

Russ has been called upon by governments to provide leadership and expertise on issues affecting skilled trades workers and the future of Canada’s workforce.
 
Current and previous appointments include:
 
  • Government of Canada Electrification Committee
  • Government of Canada Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee
  • Labour Relations Liaison to the Government of Canada for Skilled Trades
  • Provincial Electrical Board of Examiners
  • Apprenticeship Stakeholders Committee

Elected Leadership & Governance

  • Chairman, IBEW Western Construction Caucus
  • Executive Board Member, Manitoba Federation of Labour
  • Executive Board Member, Manitoba Building Trades
  • Secretary-Treasurer and Executive Negotiating Committee Member, Manitoba Hydro / Allied Hydro Council
  • Executive Board Member, IBEW Local 2085
  • Trustee, International Foundation Pension, Health & Welfare Benefits
  • Chairman, Local 2085 Pension and Health & Welfare Trust Funds
  • Chairman, Local 2085 Market Recovery Stabilization Funds
  • Trustee, Local 2085 Education and Training Trust Funds

Education, Instruction, and Speaking Engagements

A strong union requires strong leadership development.
 
Throughout his career, Russ has been committed to mentoring future leaders and advancing education throughout the IBEW.

Education

  • Red Seal Journeyman Electrician – Red River College
  • University of Manitoba – Political Science & Labour Studies
  • George Meany Center for Labor Studies – Strategic Organizing, Labour Studies, Critical Thinking
  • Numerous IBEW Leadership, Organizing and Labour Relations Programs

Instructor

  • Train the Trainer
  • COMET (Organizing) Training
  • IBEW Code of Excellence
  • New Member Orientation

Guest Speaker

  • University of Manitoba
  • Red River College
  • Assiniboine College

A LIFETIME COMMITMENT TO THE IBEW

Russ has proudly been a member of the IBEW since 1990 and is honoured to be part of three generations of IBEW Inside Wiremen.
 
Peter Shewchuk – 45 Years
 
Russ Shewchuk – 36 Years
 
Brendon Shewchuk – 7 Years
 
His commitment to the IBEW has always been rooted in service, accountability, integrity, and results.