Tom Kertes takes the helm for Prince Rupert Labour Council

Some new faces mix with the old as the Prince Rupert Labour Council
announces its new leadership for 2020-21

Prince Rupert's Labour Council has a new leader in place for the year ahead, with the long serving labour organization electing Tom Kertes as the new President, the local teacher with SD 52 was named to the post at the June 25th Labour Council meeting.

At the same meeting, the PRLC also elected a slate of Officers to serve with Mr. Kertes for the year, some new names, others returning to office from a previous term.

Included on the list:

Secretary-Treasurer -- Piroska Potoranay
Vice-President -- Tristen Wybou
Recording Secretary -- Kyla Ragan
Councillor 1 -- Tim MacDonald
Councillor 1 -- Sparrow Taranov
Sergeant at Arms -- Ian Dobson
Trustee -- Shelley Gladstone

Newly elected PRLC
President Tom Kertes

“The Prince Rupert Labour Council is committed to building community, supporting workers, and working together for justice and fairness for all people in our region. I am proud to be part of such a committed and strong team of workers in our community.” -- Newly elected President of the Prince Rupert Labour Council Tom Kertes.

The new President who arrived on the North Coast only a few years ago, has quickly taken to social activism, he was prominent during the City of Prince Rupert Boil water challenges of a late 2018, early 2019.

With Mr. Kertes advocating for action and transparency on the status of the city's water supply  during that period.

This year he has taken action towards ensuring that the return to the classroom for students and staff is one that is focused on personal safety, giving the issue a high profile not only in Prince Rupert but across the province.

The Labour movement in the region has seen some significant challenges over the last decade or so, as the economic and employment situation shifted.

While the Port continues to grow and create positions, many of them unionized; there have been significant losses of members in the fishery and pulp industries.

That from the closure of the pulp mill at the start of the century and the long, slow restructuring of a fishery industry which does not employ near the numbers of workers of the past.

The Prince Rupert Labour Council provides a voice for the labour movement on the North Coast and is the local organization for the Canadian Labour Congress.

More notes on labour in Prince Rupert can be reviewed here.