President of union representing Winnipeg firefighters will not run for re-election
The president of the union that represents Winnipeg’s firefighters and firefighter-paramedics is not running for re-election.
Alex Forrest announced his decision at the recent general membership meeting of the United Fire Fighters of Winnipeg (UFFW) and released a letter to the public on Monday.
He said he is proud of the support he has had from his members, adding that he has the best members of any union in Canada.
“We have changed the course of history when it’s come to health and safety issues on occupational disease,” Forrest said in an interview with CTV News Winnipeg.
Forrest will stay on as the president of Manitoba Professional Firefighters Association and as the Canadian trustee of the International Association of Firefighters. He said it is time for him to focus on issues across Manitoba, Canada, and the international union, as well as helping other countries ensure they have the same Workers Compensation Board benefits as the firefighters in Winnipeg.
Forrest said there will be a transition period next year so he can help the new leadership in any way he can.
“I’ve been asked to assist different locals from around the world and I’m going to be moving on,” Forrest said.
“I will always be available to assist the firefighters of Winnipeg, but it’s time for me to take a greater role provincially, nationally and internationally in regards to firefighter health and safety issues around the world.”
In September, Forrest will retire from the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service after 33 years as a captain.
The UFFW election will take place next spring, with the new president starting in April. There will be a four-month transition period.
- With files from CTV’s Jeff Keele.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
B.C. child killer's lawyer walks out of review hearing
The lawyer representing child-killer Allan Schoenborn walked out of his client's annual review hearing Wednesday – abruptly ending proceedings marked by tense exchanges and several outbursts.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
How to avoid the trap of becoming 'house poor'
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
Juror dismissed in Trump hush money trial as prosecutors ask for former president to face contempt
Prosecutors in the hush money trial of Donald Trump asked Thursday for the former president to be held in contempt and fined because of seven social media posts that they said violated a judge's gag order barring him from attacking witnesses.
Why drivers in Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada will see a gas price spike, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
It's the biggest election in history. Here's why few Indians in Canada will take part
In the Indian general election that gets underway on Friday, almost a billion people are eligible to vote, but a vast majority of the overseas Indian community in Canada won't be casting a ballot.
McDonald's customers left with 'zero value' collection of free hot drink stickers after company ends program
It took years for Vinnie Deluca to collect more than 400 cards worth of free McDonald's McCafe coffee, a collection that now has "zero value" after the company discontinued the program.
Getting the lowest mortgage rates in a high interest rate world
The challenges facing home buyers mean it's all the more important to do research and negotiate on rates, mortgage experts say, though they also caution that there's more to focus on than just what looks like the cheapest upfront option.