Ottawa – July 17, 2024 – From July 14 to 16, over 300 hundred UFCW activists from across the country gathered for the 2024 National Defence Fund (NDF) Convention, the largest NDF convention to date. This annual event reviews updates on NDF bargaining units and explores strategies for building bargaining strength in UFCW’s core industries.

For more than three decades, the NDF has provided UFCW Canada members and their local unions with extra financial resources and negotiating strength when faced with a strike or lockout. The NDF provided vital support to recent UFCW units on strikes: Local 175 at Cargill Dunlop and Local 501 at Institut Canadien de Québec.

“In these difficult times, when everyone is facing the cost-of-living crisis and demands to work harder for less pay, the NDF is more essential than ever,” said UFCW Canada National President Shawn Haggerty in his closing remarks to the delegates. “We all need strong, fair contracts that protect workers and provide them with security and stability. The NDF is how we get these contracts: it protects us and helps us build a better future together.”

Ontario local unions 1006A, 175 & 633 and 12R24 hosted the NDF Convention 2024 and provided a warm welcome to Ottawa for activists from across the country.

Over the course of the two-day event, UFCW activists participated in presentations and workshops that focused on core industry issues, bargaining trends, and new tactics for empowering members as a force for positive change at work and at the bargaining table.

The Federal NDP Immigration Critic, M.P. Jenny Kwan, delivered an address on the power of political action to implement change, discussing the important role UFCW plays in advocating for migrant food workers federally, and recognizing UFCW Canada’s recent victory in organizing the largest group of farm workers in Canadian history.

UFCW members Alex Ciumac (UFCW 832) and Andriana Salguero (UFCW 401) spoke at a panel discussion with Elizabeth Kwan from the CLC, discussing their experiences coming to Canada as temporary workers and the crucial importance of the union’s support of its migrant worker members.

IUF General-Secretery Sue Longley delivered an address to the convention on international solidarity and the importance of inclusion in the labour movement. Following her address, UFCW Resident Elder Eric Flett presented Sue with a star blanket on behalf of UFCW, recognizing her long decades of dedication to the international food workers’ movement.

On the second day of the convention, Elder Flett opened the day with a pipe ceremony held on Parliament Hill. The convention closed with former Alberta premier Rachel Notley sitting down for a fireside chat with Jen Hassum, executive director of the Broadbent Institute, discussing the continued relevance of social democracy, the rise of right-wing populism and the cost-of-living crisis.

On both days of the convention, delegates joined their respective sector meetings for the packinghouse, hospitality, soft drink, flour milling, and retail food industries. To learn more about the National Defence Fund and the integral support it provides to members, visit the UFCW Canada NDF website.