Local's executive infused with
new blood, fresh
perspectives
Ottawa Newspaper Guild | CWA Canada
Local 30205
Gord Holder swapping his abacus for a steno
pad is only one of a raft of changes in leadership of the
Ottawa Newspaper Guild as it kicks off a new term in office.
When the executive met yesterday for the first time since
elections in early December, Holder took up his new duties
as secretary.
After 15 years as treasurer, "I decided
I didn't want to do it anymore. It's a time thing," he
says. Debbie Cole, who works in Reader Sales & Service
and was Citizen Unit Leader, will now take on the treasurer's
job.
Holder, a copy editor in the sports
department at The Ottawa Citizen, says he wanted to remain
involved in the Guild, but in a less time-consuming way
so that he could devote his attention to the ONG website,
which he calls a "useful
tool" for the Local. (Holder continues to serve as treasurer
on the CWA Canada executive.)
Lois Kirkup, an online editor, remains
as president of the Local, while Terry Garner, who works
in the business office, moves from secretary to vice-president.
Garner was also re-elected as Guild rep on the Citizen
Joint Health & Safety Committee.
With five of the six Members-at-Large being new to the role,
there will be plenty of fresh perspectives around the table.
One of the more interesting newcomers is Randall Denley,
who at one time served as the newspaper's City Editor, a
management position.
Denley, who's been City columnist for 16 years and a somewhat
reluctant member of the Guild for at least 10, says that
he'd been urged many times before to join the ONG executive.
This time, following the difficult contract negotiations
in the fall and recent talk of layoffs, he agreed to accept
the nomination. He says that what he brings to the executive
is the ability to perform as a sort of mediator because he
can see both management and union sides on issues.
Denley says the Guild is the best potential defense against
job cuts, but also that it has a significant role to play
in terms of the difficult financial situation in which the
newspaper's owner, CanWest, finds itself.
Returning as a Member-at-Large is Jake Rupert, a reporter.
New to the position are Blair Crawford, Julie Oliver, David
Reevely and Andrea Sirman, all of whom work in the newsroom.
Jacquie Miller is now serving as Citizen Unit Leader. Joanne
Schnurr and Natalie Pierosara are the CTV Ottawa co-chairs.
