2014.01.28 | CWA Canada Local 30400 | Media & Communications Workers of Alberta

 

3 Alberta compositors tally
120+ years of union service

Three recent recipients of 40-year service pins with the former International Typographical Union are among the last of their kind in Canada.

Red Deer Advocate journeymen compositors Donavan Hattori and Mike Shea were honoured for their milestone achievements at a luncheon in late November. They are two of only four compositors still working in the production department at the Central Alberta daily newspaper. Indeed, they are among only a handful of journeymen compositors left in Canada.

Shea, who began his career with the ITU in Ottawa, marked 42 years with the union last July, while Hattori reached his 40th anniversary last June.

They joined Mark Schandor, another journeyman compositor, who retired last summer from the Lethbridge Herald following 41 years of service.

Workers at both the Herald and Advocate are represented by the Media and Communications Workers of Alberta (CWA Canada Local 30400).

Shea and Hattori were union members long before the Advocate became a wall-to-wall bargaining unit more than 23 years ago, said Jack Wilson, the Local’s secretary-treasurer and a former president.

A luncheon to honour the pair was attended by more than 20 production employees and guests.

Local President Mary-Ann Barr, Lodge vice-president Joanne Van Buskirk, and Red Deer Lodge representative Kevin Latimer also attended the luncheon.

Both Hattori and Shea have been strongly involved with the Local over the years. Hattori formerly served terms as president; he recently became executive vice-president.

Shea has helped at the lodge level, including bargaining and handling finances.

Schandor served as the Local’s Lethbridge vice-president for more than two decades until his retirement. A special presentation was made to him at a recent executive meeting.

All three — who were delighted to receive the rare 40-year service pins — made sacrifices to serve in various union capacities for the betterment of their fellow workers, Barr said.

They are proud members of the oldest trade organization in Canada and deserve a debt of gratitude, the president said.