Victoria local honours long-serving steward

CEIU’s Victoria local said good-bye to Chantal Gagné who represented members as a steward for over 15 years. Chantal is starting in fresh directions as she begins her retirement and she departs with the deep appreciation of the members of her local.

Chantal started with the public service in 1987 in Rimouski, Quebec, before taking up duties in Victoria. There, she worked at the Client Service Centre of Income Security Programs as a telephone agent as well as a receptionist and interviewer at the front counter. She continued with ISP, CPP and OAS until December of 2008 when the Victoria satellite telephone unit closed and she and her four colleagues moved to EI positions. Her last day of work is May 28.

She became active as a steward with the union in 1993. Looking back on her years as a steward, she said “Working in a unionized environment opened my eyes about the way employees are treated and human rights are protected compared with the non-union private sector where I worked for the first 20 years of my life. A strong bond was built with the sisters and brothers in our workplace and I have greatly enjoyed my work with our local leaders over the years.”

Local President Anita Hoffman thanked Chantal for her service and presented her with a CEIU Certificate of Appreciation. “Chantal’s contributions have helped to build our union and all our members are grateful for her work” said Hoffman, “and while we will miss her, we plan to keep in touch – she will always be welcome at our local."