An ending and a new beginning

Wednesday, June 29, over 250 people came out to New Westminster’s Anvil Centre to wish Mervyn Van Steinburg, Director of the Canadian Labour Congress Participation Department at United Way British Columbia a fond farewell as he retired after 30 years of service. Mervyn began working at United Way in 1986 and was instrumental in the United Way Centraide and the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) formalizing their relationship in 1988. The CLC/United Way Partnership is key component of both organizations as they support vulnerable Canadians from coast to coast. Both Michael McKnight, President & CEO of United Way British Columbia and George Davison, President of the Federation of Post Secondary Educators of BC and United Way Board of Directors Labour Committee Chair agree Mervyn has played a critical role in the CLC/United Way Partnership. “Over the past 30 years, Mervyn’s work has made thousands of lives across the Lower Mainland better. That’s a pretty incredible legacy and is a great foundation for a strong, healthy Labour United Way Partnership for generations to come,” says Michael. “Mervyn, through his commitment and passion, has been instrumental in helping unions fulfill our community mandates with and for our members,” says George. The CLC is Canada’s largest federation of unions representing over 3.3 million working people while United Way Centraide represents over 100 non-profit organizations across the country all dedicated to making their communities better and stronger. United Way Centraide raises almost $580 million annually to do just that. The Roast-style event featured a dozen speakers including: Leader of BC’s New Democratic Party, John Horgan; President of the Canadian Co-operative Association, Patrice Pratt; Director of the United Steel Workers and Past United Way Board Chair, Steven Hunt; Secretary-Treasurer of the BC Federation of Labour, Aaron Ekman; CUPE 402 President and United Way board member, Jeannie Kilby; and President of the Federation of Post-Secondary Educators of BC, George Davison. During Meryvn’s time at United Way he played a pivotal role in starting the Union Counselling Program in many unions. This prevention-based program helps union members in the workplace. Mervyn was heavily involved in the CLC Harrison Winter School, where instruction of the Union Counselling Program takes place, in workplace campaigns for United Way British Columbia on many social policy issues with the union movement. The event raised over $50,000 for United Way. Learn more about the United Way/ Labour partnership. Are you interested in the Labour Community Advocate Program? Do you want to start a workplace campaign? Please contact Jeanne at Labourinfo@uwbc.ca for more information.   https://www.flickr.com/photos/unitedwaylowermainland/albums/72157670036019481 A huge thank you to the sponsors of this event: IUOE Local 963 IUOE Local 115 Unifor National FPSE CUPE Local 402 UFCW Local 1518 Unifor Local 4275 SKILLPLAN BC Building Trades CUPE BC Community Savings Credit Union BCBCBTU HEU CUPE Local 1760 USW Local 424 USW District 3 Concert Properties Ltd. MoveUP Hasting Labour Law Canadian Labour Congress BC Federation of Labour IBEW Local 213 Main Street Communications W E Insurance Services