Paul Morse re-elected as Unifor 87-M President for a new two-year term

Acclaimed at a general membership meeting on Jan. 2, his new term runs April 1, 2016 -March 30, 2018.

Paul Morse, a 22-year journalist from the Hamilton Spectator, has been re-elected to lead Unifor Local 87-M as President for a new two-year term

Morse was acclaimed at a general membership meeting on Wednesday, January 20 in Toronto. His new term begins April 1, 2016 and ends March 30, 2018.

Members also re-elected Local Secretary Richard Leitner, Treasurer Ka Hung Wong, and 1st Vice-President Nevil Hunt. Leitner is a reporter from Hamilton Community News, while Wong and Hunt are journalists from Sing Tao Daily in Toronto and Metroland Ottawa, respectively.

"I am grateful for the opportunity members have given me to help chart our path," Morse said. "It's clear our industry is being tossed about on turbulent seas, but the strength we give each other as unionized media workers will help us weather the storm."

Eight candidates are standing for election for the five remaining vice-president positions on the nine-member Executive Committee. An electronic election will take place in April 2016.

Running for the positions are: Melissa Downing from CTV London, Jim Slotek from the Toronto Sun, Gillian Surette-Robinson from the Hamilton Spectator, Mark Beer from the London Free Press, Barry Freill from the House of Commons technical group, Trevor Dixon from CTV London, Steve Gjorkes from the Toronto Star, and Sean Bray from the Glengarry News.

Elections were also held at the 37 units, or workplaces, that Unifor 87-M represents for the unit executive committees and stewards.

Under local bylaws, the unit executive committees must be re-elected each January.