SEIU Local 2 BGPWU Team

George Redmond, Business Agent

George started at Labatt London, Local 1 in 1973. He was elected an Executive Board Member in 1975, Vice President 1977, President 1986-89. When Labatt Local 1 merged with Brewery Malt & Soft Drink Workers' Union to become Brewery, General and Professional Workers' Union, George became the Business Agent in 1990. In addition to being the Business Agent, George is currently:

·         Chairman of The Canadian Brewery Workers Council {since 1996}

·         Member of Ontario Federation of Labour / Workers Compensation Committee

·         Instructor for WSIB Level I & II, Medical Orientation, Return to work, Collective Bargaining, etc. for the O. F.L. and the C.L.C., as well as for our Union.

He also represents many of our membership when they encounter difficulties with their claims for workers compensation from Workplace Safety & Insurance Board

John Cunningham, Business Agent

John is our Union’s Business Agent representing units in Central Ontario. John has been active in many capacities and many Union causes since the early 70's. He was President of Local 677 U.S.W.A. and worked as a Business Agent since August of 1999 for SEIU Local 204/ Local 1.

Allen  Ferens, Special Representative

Brother Ferens has had a long and distinguished history of service with SEIU. After graduating from York University he started his career in 1980 as a Union Organizer. After spending 9 years in that position he went on to work for 10 years as a Business Agent predominantly representing workers in the private sector. In 1998 Brother Ferens was appointed Secretary Treasurer of SEIU Local 204 and in 2004 he was appointed Secretary Treasurer of the newly created SEIU Local 1.on. Following his desire to once again represent workers in the private sector Allen joined SEIU Local 2.on, BGPWU in August 2005. His responsibilities include first contract negotiations.

Jeff Rooney, Business Agent

Jeff services our Northern Ontario/Lake Superior units from the Local 1 Thunder Bay office. Jeff is a graduate of the Human Resource management/Industrial Relations program at Confederation College in Thunder Bay. While obtaining his education, he organized his workplace, The Brick Warehouse, with SEIU Local 268 in 1993. He was elected as Chief Steward of his workplace and then to the Executive Board of the Local in 1994. He was hired as Union Representative for SEIU Local 220 in 1997 and took residence in Sarnia. He moved back to Thunder Bay in 1998 when hired as Union Representative for his former Local 268. He has had the opportunity to service members from numerous sectors which has aided in his overall abilities as a Representative. Jeff loves living in Northern Ontario where he spends his spare time fishing.

Roger F. Fitzpatrick, Business Agent, BC Office

Roger has been with SEIU, Local 244 since 1990 working as the Local’s Business Agent. He is also a member of the Executive Board and the Chairperson of the Board of Trustee for the Health and Welfare plan. Prior to joining the SEIU he was a member of the Hospital Employee’s Union for 15 years.

Bruce Price, Legal Counsel

Bruce joined SEIU Local 2.on in September 2006 and acts as legal counsel to the Union. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from York University as well as a Master's degree in Industrial Relations from the University of Toronto. He attended Osgoode Hall Law School and received his LLB in 2003. Following his graduation from law school, Bruce articled with the labour law firm of Sack, Goldblatt, Mitchell, and from July 2004 to September 2006, he practiced as in-house counsel with a trade union in the construction industry. In addition to his work as legal counsel, Bruce also services several of the union's bargaining units.

Mary Hart, Senior Legal Counsel 

Mary joined SEIU Local 2 in January 2007, Mary graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School and was called to the Bar in Ontario in 1987. Since her graduation Mary has worked in labour law on behalf of trade unions and their members. In 1985 she joined the law firm of MacLean, Chercover in Toronto. From 1990 to 1995 she worked with the firm Cavalluzzo, Hayes, Shilton, McIntyre and Cornish. For the past ten years Mary has worked as a sole practitioner representing trade unions as counsel. Her practice has also included representation of health care professionals on professional discipline matters. 

Tom Galivan, Organizing Director

Tom Galivan joined SEIU Local 2 as the Director of Organizing in February 2005.  Brother Galivan first got involved with SEIU in 1994 as a member of Local 204 and went on to be an organizer with SEIU Local 220 and SEIU Local 528.

 Support Staff

For a full list of organizing staff please see the staff directory