Who We Are

The Waterloo Regional Labour Council is your local voice for organized labour. We are one of 137 District Labour Councils affiliated with the Canadian Labour Congress. The Canadian Labour Congress represents over 3 million members.

In Waterloo Region, we have approximately 26 000 affiliated members. We represent workers in the public and private sector as well as blue-collar and white-collar workers.

When we stand together, we can achieve our goals

What We Do

Labour councils are involved in many areas of the community. Working actively to support people’s needs is a big part of labour councils’ work.

We are active in all aspects of the economic, social, and political life of our community. The Labour Council lobbies politicians at the municipal, provincial, and federal level on behalf of all workers.

The Labour Council is especially vigilant in supporting worker health and safety initiatives, labour laws that support the rights of workers, and initiatives aimed at helping to create high-quality, well-paid employment.

The Labour Council is actively supporting work aimed at improving universal social supports such as pensions, employment insurance, public health care, and child care. We are also active in supporting social justice and equity initiatives in our community.

How We Help

  • Working with the United Way.
  • Assisting with food drives, clothing drives.
  • Community picnics and meal programs.
  • Participating on community boards and agencies.
  • Assisting and supporting shelters for women and children.
  • Providing resources and support for workers in crisis, through the Union Counselling Program.
  • Providing workers with space and resources to organize youth projects.
  • Talking to young people in schools about unions.
  • Assisting like-minded people in their elections to different levels of office.
  • Working with community groups on events and campaigns.
  • Lobbying area politicians for legislative changes.
  • Educating our members.
  • Organizing workers.
  • Campaigning for social justice.
  • Taking political action.
  • Supporting striking workers.
  • Building an alternative economic and social vision.

Our Leaders

Ramzi Abdi President, ETFO-WROTL
To Be Elected in February 2026 1st Vice President
Kristen Morrison 2nd Vice President, ETFO-WRTL
Jen Mackenzie-Miller Secretary, ETFO-WRTL
Angèle Lacroix Treasurer, OSSTF/FEESO, Chair, Budget Committee
Frank Curnew Sergeant-at-Arms, ETFO-WRTL, Labour Day Committee
Kimiko Shibata Communications Officer, ETFO-WRTL
Aaron Stemmler Young Worker, OECTA-WR
Susan Faber Executive-at-large, OSSTF/FEESO-D24
Stephen Furmaniuk Executive-at-large, OSSTF/FEESO-D24
Gord Assman Executive-at-large, Waterloo Regional Council of Union Retirees
Tracy Cochrane Executive-at-large, WLUSA-OSSTF/FEESO

Equity Statement

The Waterloo Regional Labour Council is committed to providing an environment that is free from harassment and discrimination while fostering the goodwill and trust necessary to protect the rights of all individuals.  We are committed to promoting mutual respect, understanding and co-operation as the basis of interaction among our delegates, affiliates, and guests. This labour council will neither tolerate nor condone behaviour that undermines the dignity or self-esteem of individuals or the integrity of relationships.

Harassment and discrimination on the basis of a prohibited ground are violations of the Ontario Human Rights Code and are illegal.

Our Affiliates

The Waterloo Regional Labour Council is essentially a coalition of unions who represent workers in Waterloo Region. Union Locals pay dues to the Labour Council and can then name delegates to vote on Council matters at monthly membership meetings.

Currently, more than 30 union Locals are affiliated to the Waterloo Regional Labour Council, representing a total of about 26,000 workers. These unions represent construction workers, professional planners, office administrators, health care workers, teachers, postal workers, and many more.

A list of current affiliates for 2026 is being verified and will be updated here when it is complete.

Union Local Employer
1 CUPE 1883 Region of Waterloo
2 CUPE 2512 Waterloo Region District Catholic School Board
3 CUPW 560 Canada Post
4 ETFO-WR Waterloo Region District School Board
5 ETFO-WR OT Waterloo Region District School Board
6 FEESO U64 D32 Conseil scolaire de district catholique Centre-Sud
7 IAMAW 103 Dana Corporation
8 IATSE 357 theatre and stage companies
9 IBEW 636 hydro utilities
10 IBEW 804 construction companies
11 LIUNA 1081 construction companies
12 OECTA WR Waterloo Catholic District School Board
13 OPSEU 230 Ontario government
14 OPSEU 237 Conestoga College
15 OPSEU 238 Conestoga College
16 OPSEU 239 Cambridge Memorial Hospital
17 OSSTF D24 Waterloo Region District School Board
18 OSSTF D35 Wilfrid Laurier University
19 SEIU 1 Red Cross, Cambridge Memorial Hospital
20 SMWIA 562 construction companies
21 UFCW 175/633 Loblaws stores
22 USW 2859 Babcock and Wilcox
23 USW 2894 Tenneco
24 USW 4045 Cambridge Brass
25 USW 4610  Frito Lay, Weston’s
26 USW 5699 Canada Alloy Casting
27 USW 838 several large employers
28 USW 862 Canadian General Tower
29 WLUFA Faculty Association Wilfrid Laurier University
30 WLUSA/OSSTF Staff Association Wilfrid Laurier University

 

Affiliate Information

If your local is interested in becoming an affiliate of the Waterloo Regional Labour Council, please contact President Ramzi Abdi.

Affiliate locals can update their delegate list by downloading and completing the form below. Once complete, please email the form as an attachment to President President Ramzi Abdi or mail to the WRLC office.

PDF – DELEGATE FORM

DUES – Please note: In 2017, the WRLC Membership passed an amendment to the By-Laws as follows:
“To amend article 16, section 2 of the Bylaws to change 25 cents to 30 cents effective January 1st, 2018 and to increase by 1 cent each January 1st thereafter.” The current dues rate for the WRLC is $0.35 per member per month

Per Capita Remittance Form for Sept 2025-August 2026 – CLICK HERE