Delegates from all across Canada, including a vast majority of local chairpersons were in attendance.

Prominent in attendance were District Directors ( Steven Hunt from District 3, Michel Arsenault from District 5, and Wayne Fraser from District 6) who spoke from the heart on the current state of our union as well as presenting their vision for our future and the paths that will lead to greater victories through union solidarity, political action and social involvement. Not to be outdone, Canadian National Director Ken Neumann delivered a rousing speech in much the same vein. Roger Falconer delivered an impassioned speech on the always-crucial topic of Organizing. Perhaps the highlight of the entire meeting was the emotionally charged presentation made by Nancy Lessin and Charlie Richardson on the topic of "An American Steelworkers family and the War in Iraq." On the political front, we were privileged to hear from NDP Candidate Tony DePaulo. And since this was the final weekend before the Canadian Federal Election, we were proud to attend a rally in support of the NDP, featuring a speech from NDP Leader Jack Layton on Saturday morning.

Specific business to TC Local 1976 was as follows. President Nathalie Lapointe called the meeting to order and presented the President's report. Ms. Lapointe announced with satisfaction and pride the accomplishments of Local 1976's bargaining teams. Contracts or memorandums of settlement were signed with : Canpar, Canadian Pacific, Allstream, and Valport . A contract with Highland was achieved despite a strike. Marine Atlantic is still under contract, however we regret to announce that Jim Lane has resigned as Chairperson of the USWA/ILA Council. Local 1976 has commenced, or expects to commence in the near future, bargaining with ACR, Bulk ( Alberta, BC & Ontario), and EL AL.

Sadly, we must report job losses at CC Canada, where once were 300 members, now only 50 or 60 remaining. Great Canadian Railtour voted in favour of decertification. Howell Logistics experienced a very bad year, however, Local 1976 was successful in negotiating jobs for some members as well as severance packages for other members. Thanks to the extremely hard work of our members, we are still under contract at Howell Logistics. In the always-active airline industry, US Air and Northwest figured prominently. US Air was in Chapter 11, and we were forced to negotiate an agreement to save US Air from bankruptcy. There are still major problems as our member shad to take large pay cuts and there are still a number of grievances to settle. Northwest Airlines is a source of deep irritation. NWA does not understand that Canada is NOT the United States and our laws are very different here. We have not started bargaining, as we are waiting for our US counterparts to settle, and that does not appear to be on the horizon.

In the area of education, Ms Lapointe has graduated from the Quebec Labour College and the Leadership Program. Brothers and Sisters Hadden, Byfield , Gallant, Tait, Greffe, Mitges, and Summerside are currently enrolled in the Leadership Training Program in Linden Hall Pennsylvania. We are proud to have 15 of our members who are qualified trainers. A sampling of the courses that have been delivered by our trainers to our members include: You and Your Union, Arbitration, Basic Steward Training, Health & Safety ( in French). Local 1976 has been successful in bargaining education funds to our collective agreements. Employer groups in this area are CP, Canpar, BC Rail, ONR, Marine Atlantic, AT&T, Highland and Bulk Systems. Best of all, all are administered by the Local. 

Other good news includes a merger with Local 9438, which saw our membership increase by 100 members. Brother Ron Marleau was able to organize members at the CSC at ONR, and the company granted Local 1976 voluntary recognition. Local 1976's shrewd investment in real estate in Montreal resulted in a doubling in value of our property where we now have tenants with a 10-year lease. We are in the process of establishing a Truckers' Co-op with an aim to have Local 1976 represent truckers in Ontario. Financially, Local 1976 has been hit with a 9 % reduction in dues revenue due to as resolution to rebuild our strike fund. However, as Brother Dave Neale reported," through the efforts made by everyone in our Local during the course of the past two years and our continuous reviewing of expenditures and business practices the Local has survived the financial restructuring that was needed. I am proud to report today that our ledger is balanced netting a surplus as well."

The delegates to this meeting adopted six resolutions. They are:

1. The next Local 1976 National meeting be held in 2006, the National Meeting be held no more than 3 months prior to the International Convention.

2. Not including the president, six additional delegates will (two per district voted by the members of that district) represent Local 1976 at the next International Convention. The representatives will be Nathalie Lapointe, Jean Greffe, Steve Hadden, Dave Neale, Philip Conlon, Bob McCallum and Richard Summerside.

3. The local shall use every means including collective bargaining and legal action to compel federal jurisdiction employers to grant full vacation credits to those members represented by the union who are off work due to workplace related illness or injury.

4. Local 1976 ask the National of the USWA to respect the spirit of the merger and place all newly organized transport and communications workers in the jurisdiction of Local 1976.

5. The President of Local 1976 requests the National Director to enter into a financial arrangement allowing the local to access the USWA organizing fund.

6. The President of Local 1976 request the National Director to establish a Council of Transportation that would include members of TC Local 1976.