With a letter to the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour on Friday, President Rick Clarke announced that he will be retiring at the end of October, timed with the biannual NSFL Convention. Brother Clarke has served the NSFL as president since 1988 and before that had been a union rep at the shipyard since 1974. “I have wrestled with this decision for some time, and it has not come with a feeling of relief or jubilation, for I truly love what I have been blessed to have been able to do these many years — work for and with workers — but it is time,” he said. Clarke acknowledged the challenges the labour movement has faced in recent years “from both the McNeil and Harper governments...Despite the best efforts of both governments, with their anti-worker/anti-union acts and actions, we the labour movement have pulled together, grown and strengthened,” he wrote in his letter. Even after he officially steps down, he plans to stay busy, working with community organizations and the Nova Scotia Federation of Union Retirees. Clarke’s letter also said he will spend time after his retirement working to improve his health. 

Local 1928 sadly passes on the news of the sudden death of member Gary Brazil and his wife Faye as the result of a vehicle accident in Newfoundland on July 12. Gary was a powerline technician who worked in construction for many years and in many places, but had spent the last ten at least in Nova Scotia. Faye was a familiar, friendly face serving coffee at the Tim Horton's in Truro. They leave behind many many to mourn, including family, chosen family, friends and co-workers.

Local 1928 received notice on Friday July 17 that Business Manager Jeff Richardson will be leaving to take a position that will allow him to spend more time with his family. Brother Richardson's last day with Local 1928 will be August 6. At a specially called meeting that day, the Local's executive board appointed Brother Leo Doran as Business Manager/Financial Secretary, effective Brother Richardson's departure. Brother Doran is an industrial electrican who is the elected Chair of Unit 5 and comes out of the Nova Scotia Power bargaining unit to take on the role. 

Nova Scotia Power's Wreck Cove generating station in Cape Breton received some nice attention in the Chronicle Herald today, both for what was accomplished when it was constructed between 1975 and 1978 and for the 13.5 million to be spent on upgrades to its dam and control equipment. Read the article and see the photos here.

Results are in on the voting on the Tentative Agreement reached between the negotiating teams of Local 1928 and NSP on June 10, 2015. The result is:

"For" the Tentative Agreement: 349
"Against" the Tentative Agreement: 208 

Percentage in Favour of Tentative Agreement: 62.66%
Percentage Against Tentative Agreement: 37.34 %

Voter Participation:  61.3% of eligible voters participated (total number of people who voted: 557 out of 908 eligible)