Endorsement -Erin Goldie

As a 48 year member I would like to add my endorsement for the Build Together-2024 slate. 

I know all the members running on this slate and add these comments for everyone’s consideration.

Bernie Haggarty, Secretary Treasurer and Principle Officer: The membership will never find anyone harder working or enjoys being in front of the membership as this Brother. For those that do know him know he will never shy away from any fight or issue. 

Richard Brown, President and second in command: Richard is intelligent and has an eye for detail not seen in many. As a rank and file and officer of this local I have witnessed his work ethic which is needed in his executive position to take this local forward. 

Chance Hrycun, Vice President: Anyone that knows or has dealt with Chance knows he is one of a kind and in the role of union agent and officer this is a desired trait. He is a second generation union representative who grew up talking and learning union philosophy. A young officer honing his craft and respected by his members and those in the Edmonton office he is managing on a day to day basis. 

Randy Eagleson, Recording Secretary: The 362 membership could not ask for a more dedicated and uncompromising honest person than Brother Eagleson. He has been an ACTIVE Shop Steward for as long as I can remember and one who all the membership want in their corner. Randy gets up in the morning and says I will always do the right thing. 

Dan Slyk, Trustee: Dan is a second generation Teamster and like Chance grew up talking union. His Father was a construction Board and active Teamster 362 member as Dan has been. I don’t remember many meetings that Brother Slyk was not in attendance and always added professional input. He was born to be a Teamster and shows it in many ways. 

Sherrie Richard, Trustee: Sister Richard always stood up for what was right and showed her leadership skills in contract negotiations and as a trainer. She has shown integrity and proven herself dedicated in both her role as Shop Steward and Trustee. I know she will always watch diligently over the financial affairs of the local. 

Abdulahi Ibrahim, Trustee: For those that don’t know, Fort MacMurray is a tough labour town with a membership with many needs and at times difficult meetings. I have witnessed Kadafi stand tall at these meetings and received due respect from his Brothers and Sisters for the strong and proper stances he has taken on significant issues. 

These comments are only a brief description of those running for leadership of Local 362 and I do not hesitate to fully endorse them for a new term of office and ask everyone to support and VOTE in this election. 

Democracy, like freedom of speech is a wonderful display of the freedom we have, but it comes with a responsibility. Responsibility to educate yourself like so many on this page are doing and participation. The Teamsters like other unions have issues with engagement, and apathy can be a huge detriment so please encourage others to get involved and help keep the correct path for our membership by electing the right leadership and Executive Board. 

I see some members do not like what is perceived attacks on others in this campaign material. If you look up the International Brotherhood of Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien, you will often hear him say that Teamsters business is a contact sport and to buckle up your helmets, and so are our politics. Perhaps some of you may remember past IBT magazines and the rhetoric used in International elections. 

In the same vein what I have seen said is accurate to my knowledge, and needs to be said as information. Imagine if the wrong slate were elected and had a similar outcome as the last executive, Trusteed by the IBT and taken out of office and a whole series of new elections to take place. The time, expense and mistrust by members, employers and general public is immense. The members would be screaming and asking why weren’t we made aware of these serious events. It is sad that it comes to a head now but must be known so those responsibilities mentioned earlier are taken with the utmost seriousness. 

Just a bit more before I end this narrative. The union runs with the executive board and all staff pulling as a team, however between monthly meetings the Secretary Treasurer, Principle Officer has the ultimate responsibility of the day to day operation of the entire operation as set forth in the By-Laws. This is a huge job that requires lots of travel and work at all hours of the day, evening and weekends and needs to be someone totally committed to the job and membership. It is a 60 hour plus a week commitment that I don’t believe a lot of our members realize. Their job is to have their finger on every aspect of the local. 362 is the most diverse, both membership and geography locals in Canada. Approximately 7000 members working under 100 collective agreements. There are always 20 companies in bargaining at any given time. This along with organizing (and we have seen the recent successes the local has had in this regard, plus the amazing run at Amazon, which no other Teamster local or international have attempted ) and grievance/arbitration and lastly labour board disputes in both the federal and provincial  jurisdictions. On top of this they will be a Trustee on two health plans covering 4000 families and a Prairie province pension plan that is now valued at 1.1 billion dollars with 13,000 active and deferred members that comes with much regulatory requirements. A new executive board would have a very steep learning curve to become educated forthwith. Trustees as a fiduciary may also become liable for misconduct. 

All this said is that those that desire a well run competent Local 362 should welcome the experience and inclusion of the entire province that the Build Together Slate brings to the table. The other slate does not have any of this experience and has multiple people from the same employers or industry.

Thank you for your time and get educated, bring others to the information, get involved and vote. 

Richard Eichel, 48 year member, Consolidated Concrete Redimix driver June 1976, hired 362 business agent Feb 1989. President, second in command November 1991 and Joint Council 90 Trustee. Secretary Treasurer and Principle Officer Oct 2008, elected Joint Council 90 President. Teamsters Canada Prairie Provinces National Executive Board member 2008 to 2017. Alberta Labour Relation Board Member 2010 to 2022, the maximum time of 4, 3 year terms. Building Trades of Alberta Executive Board 2004 to 2017, Trustee on the two health and pension plans since 1991 and chair of plans since 2008 to my retirement. Retired from Local 362 in Sept 2017 and was hired by Teamsters Canada as a National Representative and Director of the Package and Parcel Division until my retirement end of year 2023.

Good evening, 

My name is Steve Honer and I am a Teamster as my stepfather was before me. 

I became a Teamster in 2002, and became a member of 362 in 2007 when I started driving for Martin Brower. While I was there I had the privilege to work with many great drivers like Richard Brown, Ray Meaney, Matt Hillier and many others who I truly believe embody what it means to be a Teamster. I learned a lot in my time there, served as a steward for several years and got to know Bernie as he was our BA at the time. I never had any doubt that he had our back and would fight for us, support us and guide us when we needed it. 

Eventually I moved on from Brower, and began working at Triline. Shortly after they were bought out by TF and it became apparent we needed representation. So, because of my previous experience with the Teamsters, in particular Bernie, it was an easy decision who to call. Bernie put us in contact with Stacy Tulp, Stacy got the cards signed, and after a very long battle with the company we got a certification. 

I was at the bargaining table for Triline and was one of two stewards who served there for several years. While I was a steward there I had the opportunity to come and help in our first attempt to organize the Amazon warehouse and drivers. During this drive I was fortunate to meet and work with the people I now have the privilege to stand beside and represent our members with. 

On October 3, 2022 I became a business agent. Since then I get to do something I'm truly passionate about with a team that is equally passionate about helping and supporting those we represent. Over the last few years I've gotten to know our leadership and the trustees of the executive board and their vision of building a stronger local. 

I whole heartedly support the Build Together Slate, and I hope you will too. 

In solidarity,

Steve Honer