ATU Scholarship Competition for the 2026-2027 Academic Year in Memory of Ken Foster, First Director, ATU Canadian Council (ATU Canada)
This year’s scholarships are in remembrance of Ken Foster, the first Director of the ATU Canadian Council, now ATU Canada.
Foster joined Local 1505-Winnipeg, MB, as a Bus Operator in July 1974. He quickly rolled up his sleeves to get involved, serving as the Local’s Recording Secretary, and was elected Vice President. In July 1983, the ATU Canadian Council tapped Foster to be the first General Executive Secretary. His title was eventually changed to Director, where he served until retiring in 2006. Foster also served as Co-Chair of the Motor Carrier Passenger Council of Canada and was inducted into the CUTA Hall of Fame.
“As the first Canadian Council Director, Ken was the voice of our members across Canada on legislation, policy, education, health and safety, labor, and other issues. He was a true trailblazer for transit workers across Canada,” said ATU International President John Costa.
We hope the recipients of this year’s scholarships, named in his honor, will use them in part to study union and community organizing and grow to fight injustices everywhere.
This year, the program will consist of five scholarships, each in the amount of $8,000.00. In addition, a $2,000.00 scholarship may be awarded to a technical or vocational school applicant.
Official application forms are available at https://atu.communityforce.com/Login.aspx. The application deadline is March 31, 2026.
Questions about the application process, please contact Kayla Warner, Executive Assistant to the International Secretary-Treasurer, at kwarner@atu.org or 301-431-7100 ext. 232.