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Purolator’s Gary Lafee lights up Brampton
December 19th 2009 is a date that Purolator’s Gary Lafee will not soon forget. In the pre-dawn darkness on Main Street Brampton, the 34-year veteran driver for the company jogged 300 metres of the relay trip across Canada holding the Olympic Torch with its bright flame lighting up the dark, cold early morning sky. “The torch kept me warm” he said. “I didn’t even feel the minus 10 temperatures at all. And the many friends, Purolator colleagues and family who joined in along the route to cheer me on certainly made me feel warm and fuzzy all over”. Dressed in his distinctive official torchbearer white uniform complete with jacket, pullover pants, toque and red mittens all emblazoned with the logos of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics and the five Olympic rings, the Teamsters shop steward was proud as punch as he smiled and cheered along the route. “It was a very special moment in my life” he says. “As a very, very proud Canadian, Purolator employee and Teamsters member, this was a prestigious moment that will last forever”.
The Olympic flame has a sacred history and symbolizes the principles of peace, brotherhood and friendship. The coast-to-coast torch relay is a unique occasion designed to unify Canadians and generate a feeling of national pride that will hopefully endure long after the flames have been extinguished. 12,000 Canadians will carry the torch along the 45,000 km trip to Vancouver. Designed by Bombardier in Quebec, the torch is made of stainless steel, aluminum and sheet moulded compound. It is 37 inches high and weighs 3.5 lbs. Each of the individual torches used along the route have been personally signed by the employees at Bombardier who assembled that unit. In the pre-run briefing, participants were told that if they happen to find the signature of Celine Dion on their torch, it isn’t the famous singer from Quebec, there actually is an employee named Celine Dion at Bombardier.
Purolator employees across the country were invited to participate in a lottery selection for spots on the relay. Of the 600 who jumped at the chance, only eight were selected. Gary was the only employee from Ontario to run. “As I jogged past my cheering section on the route” he stated, a huge Purolator flag was waving and it created a real lump in my throat. I’m having that flag signed by all of my co-workers and it will hang in a very special place in my rec room at home along with the torch and other memories of the event”.
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The Brampton torch relay team celebrate before their run. Gary is at the top left. |
Part of the contingent of family, friends and Purolator co-workers who braved the cold to cheer on their guy. |
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The torch flame exchange – The journey begins. |
Gary is all smiles as he jogs the 300 metre route. |
Early in 2009, meetings were held at Teamsters Local 938 to bring shop stewards up to speed on their important role within the union. Well attended and conducted by Teamsters Canada Director of Education, Brigitte Sottile, all stewards completed the course and were presented with certificates. Pictured here are the stewards from Purolator from their Vaughan, New Liskeard, North Bay, SSM, Morse Street, Downsview and Mississauga Depots.
Local Union 938 Welcomes More Purolator Workers
Recently, clerical and retail employees at Purolator Courier in Mississauga, Ontario gained a strong voice after joining the Teamsters Union.
“The workers in Mississauga heard about the benefits their counterparts at Purolator’s other locations enjoyed as Teamsters and wanted to join our local,” said John Hull, Director of Organizing for the Mississauga-based Local Union 938.
This victory, which was secured through a card-check agreement, brings the total to more than 10,000 Teamsters nationally at Purolator.
“We look forward to serving our newest members and increase their standard of living as the Teamsters have for our other members at Purolator,” Hull said. Info: 905-502-0062