Presidents

LOCAL 483

Presidents

Local 483 Presidents
Since its inception in 1943, Local 483 has had 18 different Union Presidents

	1^st President Elmer H. Raycroft Credited for founding the Union, in 1943. Originally naming it “The National Union of Food Processors’, Local 1. He along with Jack A. Burnside, J. Earl Mason and Harold Johnston formed Local 1’s first Executive. He was President for the next three years, and then was instrumental in joining Local 1 with an International Union; "Retail, Wholesale, Department Store Employees' of America International Union" (RWDSU), in 1946. As Union President, Elmer accepted a position with Retail, Wholesale, Department Store International Union in 1946, a leading organizer for blue-collar workers in the 1940’s. Elmer was hired as an organizer and Local 1 membership decided to switched their allegiance to stay with the man they respected. Elmer re-registered Local 1 with the RWDSU under its present name the United Food Processors’ Union, Local 483. Elmer stayed with Local 483 as their International Representative for the next 15 years. Throughout the years of 1946 – 1960 Elmer assisted Local 483 as International Rep in labour issues as well as assisting in 15 sets of negotiations. All contracts were 1-year terms. In all, Elmer established Local 483, served Local 483 for 18 consecutive years and helped negotiate 17 collective agreements. Nickname: “Dude”.

	2^nd President Yvon Dallaire Took over from Elmer Raycroft as President in 1946. Yvon served as Vice President in 1945. He served as Local 483 President for 6 straight years and was the negotiating chairperson for Local 483 in three rounds of collective bargaining.

	3^rd President Frank Procyk Frank became President in 1952. He served as President for nearly three years, and was the negotiating chair for Local 483 in two rounds of collective bargaining. Frank accepted a Company position while serving as President in 1954.

	4^th President Wilbert A. DesChamps Wilbert became President in 1955. He served as Local 483 Vice President from 1948 to 1954. He finished the 1954 negotiations as chairperson after Frank Procyk moved to Staff. He would go on to be President for the next five years and chairman of Local 483 negotiating committee as five collective agreements were negotiated. In 1960 he served as a committee member on the Executive. He would become President again in 1963 and again in 1965. In all he served 15 years on the Local 483 Executive and was involved in 13 contract negotiations. Nickname “Web”

	5^th President James Murray James became President in 1960. He served as Vice President in 1959 and was Recording Secretary in 1958. He was President for 3 straight years and was chairman of the negotiating committee in two rounds of collective bargaining. Nickname “Ruff”

6^th President
Joe Roode
Joe was President in 1964.
He served Local 483 as Vice President in 1963.
Joe also served on the Executive as a Committee Member in 1960 and 1961.
He participated in three rounds of collective bargaining.

	7^th President Ron Patrick Ron became President in 1966. With the exception of 6months in 1967, Ron was President of Local 483 for the next 10 years. He served as Recording Secretary in 1965. After a 1 year absence from the Executive board in 1976, he returned as President again in 1977. He was the negotiating chairperson for Local 483 in four rounds of collective bargaining. As President he led Local 483, as strikes happened in 1969 and then again in 1973. These were the first work stoppages at Canada Starch. In 1978, Ron left Local 483 as President and accepted a position with the Company. In all Ron served Local 483 for 12 years, 11 as President. Nickname “Darc”

	8^th President Earl Pratt Earl took over as President from Ron Patrick in 1967. He served as Secretary Treasurer in 1961 and 1962. He was Vice President in 1966 and was a Committee Member on the Executive Board when he took over as President. As a member of the Executive board he was involved in two rounds of bargaining.

	9^th President Edward Clifford Ed was President in 1976. He served Local 483 as a Committee Member on the Executive from 1971 until 1975. He was the negotiating chairperson in 1976 and was involved in negotiations during the 1973 contract. Nickname “Slick”

	10^th President Donald H. Barkley Don became President in 1978. He was Recording Secretary in 1968 and 1969. In 1970 Don served as Vice President and remained there for 7 years. After a 1 year absence he returned in 1977, again as Union Vice President. He took short periods away from the Union Executive. He returned and was President in 1981 and 1982. He returned again as President in 1987 and was President for 6 months in 1988. He was the negotiating chairperson for Local 483 in three rounds of collective bargaining. In all he served Local 483 for 14 years, he was President for 5 years and was involved in 6 rounds of bargaining. Nickname “DH”

	11^th President Pat Roode Pat became President in 1979. He served as President again in 1980. He was a Committee member on the Executive board in 1978.

12^th President
Charles DesChamps
Charles became President in 1983.
He would be President for the next four years.
He was a Committee member on the Executive board in 1976 and 1977.
He served as Vice President from 1979 until 1982.
In 1985, Charles was President when Casco and BestFoods split and became two separate Companies. Although both plants would remain Unionized with Local 483 members, two separate collective agreements needed to be negotiated.
He was the negotiating chairperson for both units of Local 483 members in two rounds of collective bargaining.
In all he served Local 483 for 10 years on the Executive Board and was involved in 6 rounds of bargaining.
Nickname “Bud”

	13^th President John Patrick John took over as President from Don Barkley in 1988. He was a Committee member on the Executive board in 1971 and 1972. In 1973, he became Recording Secretary and served there for the next three years. He was Vice President in 1987 and was Vice President in 1988 when he took over as President. In all he served on the Executive Board of Local 483 for 7 years and was involved in 4 rounds of bargaining. Nickname “Jack”

	14^th President Ronald K. Patterson Ron became President in 1989. He would be President for the next four years. In 1973, he became a Committee member on the Executive board and served there for the next three years. He was Vice President in 1976. He was the negotiating chairperson for each unit of Local 483 in two rounds of collective bargaining. As President he led Local 483 through its third strike in 1992 that involved both BestFoods and Casco plants. In all Ron served on the Executive Board 8 years and was involved in 6 rounds of bargaining.

	15^th President James Stitt James became President in 1993. He first served Local 483 as a Committee Member on the Executive Board in 1965. He was Recording Secretary in 1966 and then moved to Vice President in 1967. In 1971, Jim returned as Recording Secretary and continued in that capacity in 1972. Jim became Secretary Treasurer in 1973 and stayed in that position until 1986, totaling 14 years. He returned and became President in 1993, and served Local 483 as President for the next 8 years. He led the BestFoods unit of Local 483 members through a strike in 1996. In all James served on the Executive Board for 27 years, he was chairperson for 7 rounds of collective bargaining and was involved in a total of 17 contract negotiations. Jim retired in March 2006. Nickname “Jake”

	16^th President Bill Garlough Bill became President in 2000. He was Chief Steward in 1997. As President, he was chairperson in the 2002 round of collective bargaining. Bill remains an active member of Local 483, currently sitting on the Local 483 Finance Committee, since Oct. 2002. Nickname “Grappler”

17^th President
Kevin Patrick
Kevin became President in 2002.
He was Recording Secretary in 2000 and also served as Secretary Treasurer in 2002.
In 2004 Kevin was President and chairperson in the 2004 round of collective bargaining that led to Local 483’s fifth strike.
He was President and chairperson again in the 2006 round of collective bargaining.
He was on the Executive Board for 7 years and was involved in 3 rounds of negotiations.
Kevin stepped aside as President of Local 483 in September of 2007.
Kevin remains an active member of Local 483, currently sitting on several Local 483 Committees.

18^th President
Todd DesChamps
Todd is the current President of Local 483.
Todd took over as President from Kevin Patrick in September of 2007.
Prior to taking over the Presidents role, Todd had been Vice-President since
October of 2000.
Todd held the position of Recording Secretary from October 1999 to October 2000.
Todd has been on the Executive Board for 8 years and has been involved in 4 rounds of negotiations.

Local 483's
INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL UNION REPRESENTATIVES

No Photo Available	1943 – 1944 Tom MacLachlan Canadian Congress of Labour Tom was a Congress Representative, he and Norman S. Dowd helped Elmer Raycroft successfully organize and certify Local 1 members on August 20, 1943. Tom assisted Local No.1 of the National Union of Food Processors, in its first agreement with the Company and concluded it on January 28, 1944.
No Photo Available	1945 Normand S. Dowd Canadian Congress of Labour Normand Dowd was CCL Executive Secretary, but took over as Representative for Local 1 as problems plagued the Union in regards to Union matters and issues with the first ever contract. Normand felt a responsibility to help Local 1 through the turbulent times and successfully helped the Local 1 Executive complete a second 1 year agreement in 1945. This contract help resolve many of the things that were important to the membership and the Executive Board.
	1946 – 1960 (15 years) Elmer H. Raycroft Retail, Wholesale, Department Store International Union As Union President, Elmer accepted a position with Retail, Wholesale, Department Store International Union in 1946, a leading organizer for blue-collar workers in the 1940’s. Elmer was hired as an organizer and Local 1 membership decided to switched their allegiance to stay with the man they respected. Elmer re-registered Local 1 with the RWDSU under its present name United Food Processors’ Union, Local 483. Elmer stayed with Local 483 as their International Representative for the next 15 years. Throughout the years of 1946 – 1960 Elmer assisted Local 483 as International Rep in 15 sets of negotiations. All contracts were 1-year terms.
	1961 – 1977 (17 years) George Barron Retail, Wholesale, Department Store International Union George Barron assisted Local 483 in contract negotiations in 1961 and helped Local 483 reach agreement with the Company on the first ever 2-year contract. George was International Rep. when Local 483 conducted its first strike in 1969. He was also International Rep when Local 483 conducted its second strike in 1973. The 1973 strike led to the first 3-year agreement between the Company and Local 483. George assisted Local 483 in 8 rounds of collective bargaining.
	1978 – 1997 (20 years) James Donnelly Retail, Wholesale, Department Store International Union And Retail, Wholesale Canada, Canadian Service Sector Division of the United Steelworkers of America”. Jim began his 20 year tenure with Local 483 in 1978 and assisted in negotiations that year. This would be the first of back to back 3-year collective agreements for the Company and Local 483, and the last time a 3-year agreement would be reached. He assisted in the next 7 rounds of collective bargaining, all 2-year terms. He was International Rep. in 1992 when Local 483 conducted its third strike. Jim was involved when Local 483 and most other Canadian Local Units of RWDSU separated from the RWDSU in July of 1993 and formed their own Retail, Wholesale – Canada (RW-Canada); an independent National Union. Ironically; Retail, Wholesale - Canada joined the United Steelworkers of America on the same day, Local 483 and some 90 other RW-Canada Locals became Local Unions of “Retail, Wholesale Canada, Canadian Service Sector Division of the United Steelworkers of America”. Jim was International Rep when Local 483 and its members working at BestFoods went on strike in 1996.
	1998 to Present (10 Years) Harry Ghadban Retail, Wholesale Canada, Canadian Service Sector Division of the United Steelworkers of America”. And Canadian AutoWorkers National Union Harry was busy in his first year with Local 483. He was involved in contract negotiations and assisted Local 483 in obtaining a 2-year agreement. He also was involved in another International Union separation as Local 483 and other RW-Canada locals decided to again go it alone and after 6 years, leave the Steelworkers. On November 1, 1999, RW-Canada joined the Canadian AutoWorkers National Union, ironically again, the same day they separated from the Steelworkers. Once again Local 483 was renamed as Retail Wholesale – Canada / Canadian Auto Workers Division. In November of 2001 the merger of RW-Canada and the CAW became complete and Local 483 took over their name as it is today,“United Food Processors’ Union, Canadian AutoWorkers (CAW) Local 483”. As National Rep, Harry has assisted Local 483 in many areas including 4 rounds of collective bargaining. The 2004 round of bargaining, lead to a strike.

Other Local 483 Members who graciously volunteered their valuable time to work on behalf of
Local 483 and its members.
Executive Members, Committee persons and Stewards

Jack A. Burnside	Sat on Local 483’s first Executive Board in 1943, he was Vice President for two years.

J. Earl Mason	Sat on Local 483’s first Executive Board in 1943. Secretary-Treasurer for the first 10 years.

Harold Johnston	Sat on Local 483’s very first Executive Board in 1943.Recording Secretary for the first 6 years.

Jack Roddick	Executive Committee member in 1944 and 1954. Local 483’s Vice President in 1955 and 1956.

George McNutt	Vice President in 1946 and 1947. Secretary-Treasurer from 1957 to 1960.

Tom Simpson	Secretary-Treasurer in 1953. Executive Committee member in 1957.

Andy Browning	Secretary-Treasurer from 1954 to 1956.

Carl Riddell	Vice President in 1957, 1958 and again in 1961 and 1962.

Carl Levere	Executive Committee member in 1960, and again from 1963 thru 1966.

James Caldwell	Executive Committee member in 1961. Vice President in 1965 and again in 1968.

Jim Henry	Recording Secretary in 1963 and 1964. Secretary-Treasurer from 1965 thru 1972.

Hillard Lane	Secretary-Treasurer in 1963 and 1964.

Frank Hitsman	Recording Secretary in 1967. Executive Committee member in 1968. Vice President in 1969.


Jack Gladstone	Executive Committee member 1968 to 1970.

William Gilligan	Recording Secretary from 1976 to 1980.

George Kavanaugh	Executive Committee member 1978. Secretary-Treasurer 1987 and 1988.

William O’Brien	Recording Secretary from 1981 until 1983.

Gerard O’Brien	Executive Committee member in 1981.Vice President from 1983 to 1986.

Paul Riddell	Recording Secretary from 1985 to 1988.Vice President in 1991 and 1992.

Bob McDonald	Executive Committee member from 1984 until 1988. Vice President 1989 and 1990 and again in 1993 and 1994. Safety Committee member for over 30 years.

Dale Seeley	Secretary-Treasurer in 1989 and 1990.

Jeff Allan	Union Steward in 1987 and 1988. Recording Secretary from 1989 to 1992. Has been Union Steward since 2003 and also sits on Safety Committee.

James Read	Secretary-Treasurer in 1991 and 1992. Union Steward from 2002 to 2004. Safety Committee member from 2001 to 2004.

Carl Baker	Secretary-Treasurer from 1993 to 1997.

Les Wood	Chief Steward from 1989 to 1992.

Larry O’Brien	Chief Steward from 1989 to 1992.

Harry Fawcett	Chief Steward from 1993 to 1996.

Mitchell Collison	Recording Secretary from 1993 to 1996.Vice President in 1998 and 1999. Retired in Sept. 2006, currently is Chairman of Local 483 Retirees Chapter

Gerald Millar	Chief Steward in 1993 and 1994.

Tom Smail	Chief Steward in 1993 and 1994.

George Dimopoulos	Recording Secretary in 1998 and 1999. Vice President in 2000.

Melissa Mason-Hale

Recording Secretary in 1997.

Brian Moore

Union Steward in 1997. Secretary-Treasurer in 1998.Currently serving as Finance Committee member-since 1998, and Safety Committee member since Apr. 2005.

Brenda Russell

Secretary-Treasurer in 1999 and 2000.

Andy Dejong

Safety Committee member Oct. 2000 to Oct 2001.

Todd DesChamps

Recording Secretary in 2000.Was Vice President from 2000 to 2007. Chairman Local 483 Grievance
Committee from 2000 to 2007. Became President of Local 483 September 1, 2007

John Lavery

Union Steward from 2000 to 2002.Recording Secretary in 2002. Secretary-Treasurer in 2003. Safety Committee Dec. 2004 to July 2006.

Kim McCallum

Secretary-Treasurer in 2000 and 2001.

Daniel Roode

Union Steward from 2000 to 2002. Has been Recording Secretary since Oct. 2002.

Wade Tousignant

Union Steward from 2001 to 2003. Has been Secretary-Treasurer since July 2003.

Chris McLaughlin	Was WSIB representative from 2000 to 2007. Safety Committee member from 2001 to 2004. Pension Benefits Committee member Since Mar. 2005

Wayne Dillabough	Has been Chief Steward since 2000.

Martin Hamilton	Has been a Union Steward since 1997.

Larry Dishaw	Retired, sat on Pension and Benefits Committee; He was Recreation and Goodwill committee member until retirement in Feb. 2005.

Richard Campbell	Has been a Union Steward since 2004.

Joe Roode

Union Steward from 2004 to 2007, in 2007 became Local 483 Vice President.

Josh Hodge

Safety Committee from June 2004 to June 2008

Trevor Wilson

Safety Comittee member since April 2005

Local 483 acknowledges that many names are missing and we apologize to these members who are not listed.

Please forward names and dates so that this list may be updated.

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