All elected members during convention in all UNE regions swearing in, on Friday August 28, 2026.
Delegates gathered at the Union of National Employees (UNE) triennial convention and elected the National Executive and Regional Vice-Presidents for the next three years.
National Officers Elected
National President: Jean-Michel Lavergne
National Executive Vice-President: Chris Little-Gagné
Vice-President, Human Rights: Mylène Seguin
Vice-President, Occupational Health and Safety: Ellen Cross
New configuration of the National Capital Region
The convention also adopted a new distribution of the National Capital Region (NCR), which is now divided into five sectors: Ottawa Center, Ottawa North, Gatineau Center, Gatineau South and Separate Employers.
Regional Vice-Presidence
– Saskatchewan : Nathan Pylypuk
– Quebec: Éric Drouin
– Gatineau-Center: Éric Poitras
– Gatineau-South : Christine Savard
– Ottawa Center: Cindy D’Alessio
– Ottawa-North: Shawn Walker
– Separate Employers: Anna Braddon
– Ontario: Michelle Woods
– Manitoba: Cheryl Dubree
– British Columbia and Yukon: Trevor Makela
– Atlantic: Angela Decker
– Alberta, Northwest Territories and Nunavut: Cheryl Carty
Start date
The mandate of the new National Executive will be guided by continuity: to continue the rigorous work accomplished under trusteeship, to maintain service to members, and to ensure that the progress made becomes a lasting achievement for all members of UNE.
Given the progress made, UNE Trustee, Alex Silas, is confident that he will be able to propose the lifting of trusteeship to the PSAC National Board of Directors in the coming months, so that the newly elected executive can begin its 2027-2029 term next January.
Here is a quick recap of UNE 2026 Triennial Convention first days:
Sunday — Getting started
Delegate training, the first regional caucuses, and the presentation of the 2025 financial statements got convention off to a great start during the pre-convention day.
Monday — Day 1
Registration, welcome remarks from the trustee, a moment of silence, and the official kickoff of convention! Sharon’s speech got everyone in great spirits. In the afternoon, delegates headed to the demonstration by Sir George-Étienne Cartier House, a Park Canada site — the rain didn’t hold back, and it turned into a powerful moment of solidarity for all our bargaining tables. Back in the room, delegates got to work on resolutions.
Tuesday — Day 2
Delegates adopted the budget proposed by the pre-convention finance committee, then dove into bylaw resolutions — tough work, but work that will pay off. The room was also energized by an inspiring speech from our special guest, Larry Rousseau. Later in the day, the chair acknowledged the passing of Dolly Parton, and the whole room came together to sing 9 to 5 in her honour.
Wednesday — Day 3
The last day devoted to resolutions, and a lot got done! UNE now has 12 regions:
Atlantic: the provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
Quebec: the province of Quebec, except Gatineau.
Ontario: the province of Ontario, except Ottawa.
National Capital Region (Separate Employers): all non Treasury Board employer locals in the NCR.
Manitoba: the province of Manitoba.
Saskatchewan: the province of Saskatchewan.
Alberta, Northwest Territories and Nunavut: the province of Alberta, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, including Kootenay and Yoho National Parks.
British Columbia and Yukon: the province of British Columbia and Yukon Territory, except Kootenay and Yoho National Parks.
National Capital Region – Gatineau South (Treasury Board): Locals 70044, 70125, 70172. 70263, and 71200
National Capital Region – Gatineau Centre (Treasury Board): Locals 70027, 70101, 70148, 70312, 70404, and 70410
National Capital Region – Ottawa Centre (Treasury Board): Locals 70059, 70160, 70176, and 70380
National Capital Region – Ottawa North (Treasury Board): Locals 70151, 70130, 70181, 70342, and 70381
A round table featuring Craig Reynolds, Mary-Anne Walker, Doug Marshall, and Ruth Lau MacDonald sparked great discussion among delegates, who worked through all the resolutions — including the young workers’ resolution, confirming the UNE Young Workers Committee. The day wrapped up with Dolly Parton songs filling the room.
All delegates had the opportunity to hear from the candidates for the national positions on Wednesday evening. Election day is here: president, vice-presidents, vice-president human rights, vice-president health and safety, plus all alternate, assistant, and regional VP positions. We can’t wait!
The 2026 UNE Triennial Convention—taking place August 24 to 28—marks an important and encouraging moment for our Component.
This Convention represents a meaningful step forward in rebuilding UNE’s democratic structures. While trusteeship remains in place, Alex Silas, PSAC National Executive Vice-President and the UNE Trustee appointed by PSAC’s National Board of Directors (NBoD), has expressed confidence based on engagement with rank-and-file members and regional leaders that UNE is moving in a positive direction, with strong signs of progress and renewed engagement from members.
The upcoming elections are a key part of that ongoing journey.
We are happy to announce that elections will be held during 2026 UNE Triennial Convention on Thursday, August 27. National elections will take place on the Convention Floor and Regional elections will take place during regional caucuses.
National elections will be chaired by Alex Silas as Convention chair and Trustee. Regional elections, which may run concurrently in different caucuses, will be chaired by qualified individuals selected by the Trustee. A nomination committee of delegates to Convention will be struck shortly to review nominations forms.
National Elections
Delegates will elect the following National positions:
National President
National Executive Vice-President
National Vice-President, Human Rights
National Vice-President for Occupational Health and Safety
1st Alternate National Executive Vice-President
2nd Alternate National Executive Vice-President
Assistant National Vice-President, Human Rights
All-Candidates Debate
The All‑Candidates Debate for all national positions listed above will take place on Wednesday, August 26.
Regional Elections
Regional elections will take place during regional caucuses. Delegates will elect:
Regional Vice-President
1st Assistant Regional Vice-President
2nd Assistant Regional Vice-President
3rd Assistant Regional Vice-President when applicable
Regional Human Rights Representative
1st Alternate Regional Human Rights Representative
2nd Alternate Regional Human Rights Representative
Alternates to the PSAC Convention(regions may elect as many alternates as they wish)
These caucuses ensure strong, representative leadership across all UNE regions and help shape UNE’s voice at the PSAC Convention. The agenda of the week of Convention including caucus will be shared soon.
An email will be sent to all locals shortly. If you are running for any elected office, you are encouraged to familiarize yourself with the following Policies and Bylaws to ensure democratic and fair elections:
This year’s elections carry special significance. The decision to proceed with elections was not taken lightly by the UNE Trustee, it reflects the progress UNE has made in rebuilding its democratic structures and strengthening the organization.
Over the past months, UNE has seen increased engagement and confidence from members and locals. More local are in conformance thanks to hard work of Deputy Trustees and UNE staff, who worked together to make improvements and support locals in their rebuilding efforts. UNE staff processes have strengthened, and important work in areas such as representation services has continued to move forward.
These positive developments have contributed to renewed confidence in UNE and establishing positive conditions to conduct a full and fair electoral process. The upcoming elections mark an important milestone in the union’s ongoing renewal and demonstrate continued progress toward a strong, accountable, and member-driven Union of National Employees.
Delegates will play a central role in choosing the leaders who will guide UNE through its next chapter and build on the momentum achieved to date.
While there is still work ahead, the return to a full electoral process is a strong sign of momentum and confidence in UNE’s future.
Resolutions are one of the main ways members bring issues forward and propose changes, improvements, or new directions at UNE Convention.
If you want the union to act on an issue that matters to you — a resolution is how you make it happen.
What Is a Resolution? A resolution is a short and structured proposal that identifies an issue or concern, explains why that issue matters to members, and proposes a clear action for the union to take in response.
How to Write a Strong Resolution
The most effective resolutions are clear, focusing on one issue at a time; action‑oriented, stating exactly what you want the union to do; and concise, keeping the proposal short and to the point.
Most resolutions follow a simple format:
“The Union of National Employees will” — states what action should be taken
“Because” — explains the context or problem
Example:
The Union of National Employees will encourage unions to submit resolutions to convention in a clear language format.
Because the actions proposed will be better understood by convention delegates.
Because clear language is a valuable way to help union members feel included by the labour movement.
Because the clear language format makes sense: we start with what we want, then we back it up with our reasons.
Typically, the process begins at the Local level, where you bring your idea to a meeting, discuss and refine it with fellow members, and then participate in a vote to decide whether the Local will submit the resolution to Convention.
This helps ensure resolutions reflect the priorities of the membership.
Even a rough idea is a great starting point, so do not limit yourself. Your Local can help you:
Develop your idea
Draft the resolution
Ensure your resolution meets submission requirements
Submitting a Resolution
Resolutions are submitted before the main deadline, allowing time for review by the Pre-Convention Committees (Finance, General, or By-Laws & Policies).
Submitting early ensures your resolution can be fully reviewed and discussed.
For Convention 2026, the deadline to send your resolutions is May 29th, 2026.
Late Resolutions Resolutions received after May 29th, will be considered late resolutions. They will be considered only after all other resolutions have been reviewed and debated, with discussion time often more limited as a result.
Emergency Resolutions Emergency resolutions are introduced during Convention.
They must address issues that:
Could not have been anticipated earlier
Require immediate attention
Because of their nature, they must clearly demonstrate why they meet these criteria.
How to Submit a Resolution
You should submit your resolutions electronically on our website. Completing this process significantly reduces the time required to prepare resolutions for our committees’ review. If you do not have internet access, you can submit your resolutions by mail or fax.
Submit Supporting Documentation
Resolutions submitted online must be supported by signed minutes confirming that the resolution was adopted at a general local meeting.
Scanned copies must be sent to Ateau Zola at resolutions@une-sen.org.
You may also submit supporting documents by mail or fax.
Submission Deadline
Please send your resolution before May 29th, 2026. Any resolution received after this date will be classified as a late resolution and will only be reviewed and debated after all other resolutions, with more limited time for discussion.
Have an idea? Bring it forward.
Resolutions are one of the most powerful ways members shape the future of UNE.
Your voice matters — and Convention is where it’s heard.
The 2026 PSAC National Young Workers Conference will be held November 7-9, 2026, in Ottawa under the theme Young Workers: Taking Power, Challenging Norms.
PSAC members in good standing who are 35 and under are invited to register. During the conference, delegates will take part in workshops, debate resolutions, and participate in elections. The conference is an opportunity for young workers to continue the important work of building union militancy and activism and strengthening the fight to improve the working conditions of all PSAC members.
Young workers interested in attending the conference as delegates or observers must apply by Friday, May 29, 2026. Selected delegates will be notified by email by September 1, 2026.
The countdown is officially on! In just a few months, UNE delegates from across the country will gather in Montréal for the 2026 UNE Triennial Convention, taking place August 24–28, 2026, at the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel.
Convention is where members come together, exchange ideas, and help chart the direction of our union for the years ahead. This is your opportunity to bring forward your experiences, your vision, and your voice.
When Convention returns, it brings with it renewed energy, long‑awaited discussions, and the chance to collectively set priorities for the future.
Delegates from locals across the country will debate and vote on resolutions, strengthen our internal democracy, and build solidarity by connecting with fellow members.
Your Local’s Role Starts Now
1. Make Sure Your Local Is in Conformance
To send delegates to Convention, locals must be in conformance by submitting the required financial documents.
2. Electing Delegates and Alternates
Delegates and alternates must be elected at a general Local meeting. The number of delegates your local can send depends on the number of members in good standing. Larger locals may send up to five delegates.
3. Observers — A Great Opportunity to Participate
Locals in conformance may also send observers at the Local’s expense, not at the member’s personal expense. Observers can attend Convention, follow the debates, and be part of the experience, but they do not participate in voting.
Not sure if your local is sending observers? Ask your local representative — you might be pleasantly surprised! Many locals welcome the opportunity to include more members in Convention activities.
Submit Your Resolutions — Your Ideas Matter
Locals are encouraged to form a resolutions committee (often 3–5 members) to review and prepare proposals from the membership. Locals may also create theme‑specific committees, such as for constitution & bylaws or finance. After debate and adoption at a general membership meeting, resolutions can be submitted online through the UNE website and must be accompanied by signed minutes.
Montréal Awaits — Be Part of This Moment
The 2026 Convention will bring together hundreds of UNE members in one of Canada’s most vibrant cities. This is our moment to reconnect, recharge, and re‑ignite our shared purpose.
We’re excited to welcome you to Montréal this summer. Let’s build the next chapter of our union — together and in solidarity.
