Making history
Cape Breton council elects all-female executive
When Ray Smith of Glace Bay was elected to the Cape Breton District Labour Council she knew she’d be providing an important service, however she didn’t realize she’d also be making history.
The recent election resulted in an all-female executive for the first time in the 60-year history of the labour council.
“Everyone was just amazed to hear this,” said Smith. “We’re pretty proud of ourselves for that.”
The Cape Breton District Labour Council represents unionized workers in Cape Breton and Victoria counties and is comprised of representatives from local unions.
For Smith, a member and trustee of CUPE 933, her election as first vice-president marks her first time on the labour council executive.
“We’re part of the labour movement and support all workers here in Cape Breton to make sure they have a support system in place. If a local or an individual needs an advocate we’re there for them. We lobby the government and agencies about things of importance to the working people.”
Tony Tracy, Nova Scotia’s representative with the Canadian Labour Congress Atlantic Region, said there were nine people elected to two-year terms on the Cape Breton District Labour Council.
“Out of nine positions, only one was acclaimed,” said Tracy. “As it happens, as we went through those nine different elections, in each case a woman was elected, which is fantastic.”
Tracy said the history of the council dates back 60 years. In 1954, there was a merger of two organizations into the Cape Breton District Labour Council.
He said during all that time there had also only been one female president, Suzanne MacNeil, originally of Glace Bay and now of Halifax, who was elected in 2012.
Suzanne MacNeil was replaced by Gordie MacNeil who took over until the election this week when Carmie Erickson was elected as president for a twoyear term.
“So for the second time in history we have a female president and the only time in history it’s entirely women — including the trustees.”
Tracy said the labour council is a chartered body by the Canadian Labour Congress.
“Nationally we have 132 labour councils in communities around the country. Here in Nova Scotia we have five district labour councils representing geographic areas.”
Another note, Tracy said there will be a public forum at the Grand Lake fire hall the first week of December regarding the minimum wage.
“What we call the ‘fight to 15’ to raise minimum wage to $15.”
He said there are many workers in Cape Breton working 40 hours a week — sometimes with two or three jobs — making minimum wage, and are not adequately able to survive.
“Folks working full time should not be living in poverty.”