There is an effort to revive a labour council in the Rainy River District.
A meeting is planned for Monday evening at the Fort Frances Library.
Cynthia Woodland, a Political Action representative for the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation and Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario, says the council was very active, but COVID and the passing of a former president left the council dormant for several years.
She notes there has been some renewed interest in getting it back on its feet.
“I’ve been listening to a couple of meetings, different places in town, that we should get this going. People will talk to me, or I’ll talk to them, and I just thought, okay, let’s do it,” says Woodland.
Labour councils often bring unions together to support each other, advocate for workers’ rights, lobby governments, and coordinate community campaigns and activities.
Councils also lend support to other activities such as food drives.
Woodland does not believe it will take much to get the council up and running.
“We still have a charter. That’s still active. It’s just getting all the little details and probably educating some of the younger workers on what it actually means to have a labour council.”
A representative from the Thunder Bay Labour Council will be on hand to offer advice.
Woodland is hoping that with enough interest, they will be able to elect a representative and discuss local activities that the council may be involved, including a labour day picnic.
Monday’s meeting will take place in the Shaw Room of the Fort Frances Library and Technology Centre beginning at 6:30 p.m.
