Bob Desjarlais
Encyclopedia
Bob Desjarlais is a prominent labour leader in Thompson, Manitoba
, Canada
, having served as president of the United Steelworkers of America Local 6166 since the 1990s.
and community polarization. Shortly after the contract was settled, Inco announced that it would expand operations, and keep the Birchtree Mine
open for at least another fifteen years. Desjarlais negotiated a 4.3% wage increase for workers in 2002, and strongly endorsed a new three-year contract in 2005. He has also been involved in labour activism at the provincial, national and international levels. In 1996, he represented the Steelworkers in merger talks with the United Auto Workers
and the International Association of Machinists. Four years later, he was cheered at a meeting of the Canadian Labour Congress
for criticizing Buzz Hargrove
's suggestion that the CLC consider withdrawing its support from the New Democratic Party
. He supported Bill Blaikie
for the federal NDP leadership later in the same year. Within the Manitoba New Democratic Party, Desjarlais has been a vocal advocate for anti-scab legislation. He has also been active in aboriginal issues, and promoted an urban reserve for Thompson in 2002. Bob Desjarlais is married to former Member of Parliament
Bev Desjarlais
, and they have three sons.
Thompson, Manitoba
Thompson is a city in northern Manitoba. As the "Hub of the North" it serves as the regional trade and service centre of northern Manitoba. Thompson is located north of the Canada – United States border, north of the provincial capital of Winnipeg, and is northeast of Flin Flon...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, having served as president of the United Steelworkers of America Local 6166 since the 1990s.
Biography
He represented Inco workers through difficult contract negotiations in 1999, which included an extended lockoutLockout (industry)
A lockout is a work stoppage in which an employer prevents employees from working. This is different from a strike, in which employees refuse to work.- Causes :...
and community polarization. Shortly after the contract was settled, Inco announced that it would expand operations, and keep the Birchtree Mine
Birchtree Mine
Birchtree Mine is an underground nickel mine, owned and operated by Vale Inco in the city of Thompson, Manitoba, Canada. It lies in the nickel containing Thompson Belt, a geologic feature associated with the Circum-Superior Belt large igneous province throughout the Superior...
open for at least another fifteen years. Desjarlais negotiated a 4.3% wage increase for workers in 2002, and strongly endorsed a new three-year contract in 2005. He has also been involved in labour activism at the provincial, national and international levels. In 1996, he represented the Steelworkers in merger talks with the United Auto Workers
United Auto Workers
The International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America, better known as the United Auto Workers , is a labor union which represents workers in the United States and Puerto Rico, and formerly in Canada. Founded as part of the Congress of Industrial...
and the International Association of Machinists. Four years later, he was cheered at a meeting of the Canadian Labour Congress
Canadian Labour Congress
The Canadian Labour Congress, or CLC is a national trade union centre, the central labour body in English Canada to which most Canadian labour unions are affiliated.- Formation :...
for criticizing Buzz Hargrove
Buzz Hargrove
Basil Eldon "Buzz" Hargrove, OC is the former National President of the Canadian Auto Workers trade union...
's suggestion that the CLC consider withdrawing its support from the New Democratic Party
New Democratic Party
The New Democratic Party , commonly referred to as the NDP, is a federal social-democratic political party in Canada. The interim leader of the NDP is Nycole Turmel who was appointed to the position due to the illness of Jack Layton, who died on August 22, 2011. The provincial wings of the NDP in...
. He supported Bill Blaikie
Bill Blaikie
William Alexander "Bill" Blaikie, PC is a Canadian politician. He has been a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba since April 2009, representing the Winnipeg division of Elmwood as a member of the New Democratic Party of Manitoba, and Minister of Conservation and Government House Leader...
for the federal NDP leadership later in the same year. Within the Manitoba New Democratic Party, Desjarlais has been a vocal advocate for anti-scab legislation. He has also been active in aboriginal issues, and promoted an urban reserve for Thompson in 2002. Bob Desjarlais is married to former Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
Bev Desjarlais
Bev Desjarlais
Bev Desjarlais is a retired Canadian politician. She represented Churchill in the Canadian House of Commons from 1997 to 2006, initially as a New Democrat and later as an Independent after losing her party nomination in late 2005...
, and they have three sons.