Fire Fighters Win Big With Blaikie

Premier Gary Doer, Bill Blaikie and Winnipeg, MB Local 867 President and Canadian Trustee Alex Forrest with the Local 867 Executive and Political Action Team.

April 8, 2009 – Winnipeg, MB Local 867 fire fighters put record numbers on the street in a recent civic by-election, but unfortunately Geoff Currier was not successful. "We didn’t win this civic by-election, but our hard work nevertheless served to solidify an already strong relationship with the mayor and the majority of council," says Winnipeg Local 867 President Alex Forrest.

Local 867 members had no time to worry about Currier's loss, however, as they immediately began working on the Elmwood by-election to assist Bill Blaikie, a long-time friend of fire fighters. As Bill Blaikie swept to victory, Forrest said, “Along with Gary Doer, Bill Blaikie is one of fire fighters' biggest supporters, and he has been one for the last 20 years.”

President Forrest says he is proud of his members, who, just seven days after a tough civic by-election, put together an even stronger political machine to help Blaikie achieve victory. He notes that the local's efforts in this election were buoyed by Fiona Shiells, Blaikie’s election coordinator, who is also the daughter of Winnipeg Local 867 Office Manager Susan Shiells.