International Equal Pay Day
All workers have the right to equal compensation for work of equal value, regardless of gender. It’s easy to say, and easy to agree with, but not so simple to put into practice. Pay Equity in Canada Canada adopted the...
Category: UCTE history
International Pay Equity Day
It’s 2025 and we are still working to end gendered pay inequity. Removing gendered divisions between workers is a core objective of labour – better equity leads to better unity, and vice versa. At the same time, it helps that...
Just who Was Responsible for Sea Rescues? (Part 2)
Vancouver Fire Chief Bird told the media that the Ferngulf explosion and fire pointed to the urgent need for a coast guard. The skipper had a “perfect right to be angry,” he said. “But the city fire department can’t be...
SOS Canadian Coast Guard and Search & Rescue was needed (Part 1)
In the early morning darkness of July 23, 1960, off British Columbia’s Sechelt coast, the fishing boat Unimak struck a tow line pulling a barge. Within no time other fishing boats responded to the Unimak listening to crew trapped in...
The sinking of the CGS Lambton
On April 19, 1922, the Canadian Government ship (CGS) Lambton was the scene of a disaster. The ship was intended to respond to specific weather conditions on Lake Superior at Parry Sound, Ontario. On July 15, a memorial plaque was...
International Lighthouse/Lightship Weekend –The story behind Thom Drew, a former Nova Scotian lighthouse keeper
Mosher Island, in Nova Scotia, has a very interesting story to tell. The last lighthouse keeper to have held this job on the island was Thom Drew, a former UCTE member. Thom and his wife, Anna Drew, have found their...
Mike Johnson and the Battle of the CCGs – The Politics of Kidney Stones
It all started in 2019. At the time, and still today, medical clearance was required in order to work at sea with the CCG. However, there was a very specific policy on kidney stones. If the employee had even a...
Coast Guard turns 60
On January 26, 1962, the federal government created the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG). However, while it got a new name and structure, the CCG had it’s start as the “Marine Branch” of the Department of Marine and Fisheries in 1867....
Biography – Percy Bourne
Today we bring you the biography of Percy Bourne, a former UCTE president. An important pillar of the union, Percy Bourne, a former UCTE National President, began his involvement with the Montreal Airport Local as a radio operator. When the...
Biography – Guy Jacob
Today we bring you the biography of Guy Jacob, a former UCTE president. It all started when he became president of UCTE at the 1972 convention; he was twice re-elected to the office, in 1975 and 1978. Before the union...