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A native of Trail, \u00a0B.C.,\u00a0<\/a>\u00a0I grew up the son of a steelworker at Cominco Ltd.<\/a> and caught the union bug early. It’s engrained in my life.<\/p>\n After graduating with journalism and English degrees from Eastern Washington University<\/a> in 1974,\u00a0I worked in the newsroom for more than 35 years as a reporter, city editor and sportswriter. I covered the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, the best trip ever. Also, the 1982 World Cup on Spain when I became a Barcelona<\/a> fan. Liverpool, Manchester City <\/a>and Chelsea also get good play in our house.<\/p>\n Our Alberta local also comprises units in Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, and Calgary, with a total strength of about 170, including 10 retirees whose annual dues are set at $12.<\/p>\n From the beginning, \u00a0I have always taken an active role on the executive, serving as President for eight years, executive vice-president, vice-president and now secretary-treasurer. I have also been involved in numerous contracts bargained in the last 22 years.<\/p>\n Buyout negotiations for several local members have also been a part of my duties, especially last year when the Advocate slashed costs and forced layoffs.<\/p>\n I have attended numerous national and international conventions, schools and seminars with CWA <\/a>and TNG.<\/a><\/p>\n I retired in 2012 but continue to serve as our local’s secretary-treasurer after being elected while I was still working at the Advocate.<\/p>\n Our local has always supported an active role for retirees and when the opportunity arose to attend the founding meeting of the Retirees Council it was a no-brainer.<\/p>\n The executive voted unanimously to spend $20 for my initial membership dues with the Retirees Council.<\/p>\n At present, I am also a trustee with the Red Deer and District Labour Council, which represents about 7,000 workers in Central Alberta.<\/p>\n The family tradition of unionism continues. My daughter\u00a0Danielle, a marketing and website director with a Calgary-based clothing company as a co-author of a \u00a0history of the local , published in 2012.\u00a0My daughter Katie is a kindergarten teacher. I have been married for 43 years to Lisa.<\/p>\n I \u00a0enjoy having more time to go cross-country skiing, playing \u00a0golf and working out.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Alberta retiree Jack Wilson is a member of our executive and working committee. Let’s let Jack tell us why he joined the Council. I have been a member of the Communications Workers of Alberta Local 30400 since I helped organize the Wall to Wall chapter at the daily Red Deer Advocate in 1992. At the … Continue reading Meet Jack Wilson<\/span> Retirees stay on board<\/h6>\n
![\"Jack](\"http:\/\/cwa-scacanada.ca\/retirees\/EN\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/IMG_1404-e1398298006233-255x300.jpg\")
An active role for retirees<\/h6>\n