REGINA, Sask. — Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL) president Lori Johb bid farewell to union members Wednesday at the federation's biennial convention.
Johb’s speech kicked off three days of convention activity at the Queensbury Convention Centre at the REAL District.
In her remarks, she spoke about one issue she is particularly passionate about: workplace safety.
“My one ask as I leave the federation is that we continue that fight. Good jobs are safe jobs. And like I've said before, Saskatchewan is the most dangerous place in Canada to be a worker.”
Johb told the audience that the labour movement “cannot lose sight of what really matters.”
“Strong unions, strong Saskatchewan. This province has a proud history of activists, unions, and political forces coming together on groundbreaking achievements. My union, right here, SEIU-West, recently taught me a slogan. When we fight, we Saskatche-win. We Saskatche-win… I have seen what the upcoming generation of labour leadership in this province is capable of. I have faith that our federation is going to be militant, strategic, and effective as any time in history. So more Saskatche-wins are coming, my friends.”
Speaking to reporters, Johb shared her thoughts about departing after eight years as SFL president.
“Well, it was a hard decision but it's kind of been on my mind,” she said.
“I mean, I turned 65 a few months ago and my grandkids are growing up so fast. I just really want to be able to spend time with them. I don't want to miss anything and I really do believe when I look out in a room like this and there's so many people that I haven't seen before, so many new people, it's time.”
She said federation members “need new leadership, you know, and I am so excited that that's going to happen because I have complete confidence in the folks that are coming that are going to be elected on Friday are just going to be able to take off and just make it happen. They're pumped and energized. It's going to be amazing.”
Johb said for the SFL and organized labour, there are still a number of important issues to be worked on.
She pointed to the need for anti-scab legislation, the restoration of provisions of the Trade Union Act that “was gutted, you know, early in the 2000s,” the reinstatement of the right to strike and the need for a new deal with health-care unions.
Johb also pointed to Bill C-39, the Building Canada Strong Act, a federal omnibus bill that includes changes to the Canada Labour Code that unions have opposed.
Johb pointed to a resolution coming to the SFL floor that afternoon to push back against the bill, which she said will hit the longshore union particularly hard.
“Those workers that work at the docks are going to be the ones that feel it first,” Johb said. “We got their president in our room today and he's going to be sharing his experiences and we're going to be standing behind them because we all need to stand together to fight this and push this back.”
Johb believes she is leaving her role with the SFL with the organization strong and united.
“I think a lot of the work has started, it needs to continue and that's to make sure that our voices are being heard and we have a spot at the table,” Johb said.
“We've built relationships so that we do have an opportunity to speak to the decision makers, whether we're being heard, that's another story but, you know, the collective solidarity that's building and union standing together, that's exactly what we need and I think that that's about to happen.”
