I’m applying to be a delegate at the Communications Workers of America convention because I felt incredibly inspired by the comments made by Michael D’Souza at the CMG convention in May – that we shouldn’t just walk, but run towards such an opportunity. Wow! What an endorsement! His enthusiasm for all of the potential learning opportunities and the overall cool factor of the convention really piqued my curiosity and made me want to see the whole thing for myself.

I think I’d be a good candidate because I am new to unions, and curious to understand them better. Unions play such a crucial role in our history and the many benefits we enjoy today as employees. I am also aware of the many disadvantages experienced by employees who are not in a union, following 11 years of employment in private media in Alberta. To this end, I would sincerely like to better understand how unions work, how our union fits into the bigger union picture of North America — and even the complexities of the CWA, including how it manages its funds, its strengths and weaknesses, and how it continues to hold truth to power, especially in an era of individualism, fear, divisive attitudes, and a lack of awareness around employee rights.

Of course, I’d also love to connect with newspaper journalists and broadcasters from the US – especially in these fraught times. I do not have reservations about travelling to the United States.

Thanks for considering me! I won’t be offended if I’m not chosen!