TORONTO – On the second day of CUPE Ontario’s sixtieth convention, delegates from across Ontario re-elected incumbent president Fred Hahn and incumbent secretary-treasurer Yolanda McClean each to two-year terms of offices.
“I’m grateful to CUPE Ontario members who have once again put their faith and trust in me and elected me as their president for another two years,” said Hahn. He was first elected CUPE Ontario president in 2010, having previously served as the union’s secretary-treasurer.
“CUPE Ontario now represents 290,000 members, public sector workers who are united in building a future that serves all Ontarians. We belong to a strong, progressive union that is leading the way in the best tradition of social unionism. It is an honour to serve them as president.”
Hahn thanked the other candidates who offered for president, saying “democracy is what makes our union strong.”
“I am thankful and humbled that members have again placed their trust in me as secretary-treasurer for CUPE Ontario,” said Yolanda McClean. “And I’m proud that I’ll be able, with their support and guidance, to continue building a strong financial foundation for our union – a foundation that will ensure we have the tools and resources that will help us win.”
McClean dedicated her win to her late mother, Sylvia, saying “her strength, kindness and love inspired so many lives and inspired me to carry on making a difference for the generations to come.”
Hahn has a long history in CUPE Ontario, first as member of CUPE 2191, which represents workers at Community Living Toronto. Hahn made history as the first openly gay elected leader of a major union. Hahn also serves as an executive vice-president of the Ontario Federation of Labour and a general vice-president for CUPE National.
Yolanda McClean is the first Black officer of CUPE Ontario. She first became an active union member with CUPE 4400, which represents workers of the Toronto District School Board. McClean is also an executive vice-president at the Ontario Federation of Labour, a regional vice-president for CUPE National, and president of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) Canada.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Mary Unan, CUPE Communications
647-390-9839
