Today, Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 508-Halifax, NS, President Ken Wilson has been appointed by International President John Costa with approval by the ATU General Executive Board as an ATU International Vice President at the Spring GEB meeting in New Orleans, LA.
“Ken is a proven and well-respected leader, and negotiator whose passion for the labor movement and working people has elevated him to President of his Local where he has done extraordinary work on behalf of our members, including leading a successful strike and winning numerous contract fights,” said International President John Costa. “From driving a bus to becoming the youngest President in his Local’s history, Ken is a next-generation leader who understands the power of social media and getting younger transit workers involved in our Union. Ken is a solid addition to our General Executive Board and will serve our members well throughout Canada. We look forward to his continued service to the ATU as an International Vice President.”
Wilson started his bus driving career in 1999 at the age of 23. He was the youngest person in his Local at the time. In 2009 he ran for Vice President from the floor and won. In 2010 when the sitting President resigned, Wilson ran for the top position, becoming the youngest President/Business Agent in Local 508’s history. Less than two months after he was elected President during his first contract negotiations, the employer asked for 270 concessions. After much deliberation and exhausting all other options, he decided to conduct a strike vote, which was approved by 99% of the membership. After a bruising forty-two-day strike, the Local secured and ratified a strong contract. Throughout his time as President, Local 508 has also been undefeated in arbitrations under his leadership. In fact, under his leadership, he achieved the biggest win in the Local’s 113-year history for maintenance members, when the Local won an arbitration of over a quarter of a million dollars.
“It’s an honour and a privilege to be appointed as an International Vice President by International President Costa and the General Executive Board,” said Wilson. “I have modeled my five terms as President/Business Agent after International Presidents like Larry Hanley and John Costa by involving members and our riders in our Union. As a bus operator for over 23 years, I know what it’s like to be at the end of the line at night. I have been assaulted and threatened. I’ve worked 60-hour weeks for 40-hours pay driving split shifts. I have been in the trenches and understand bus operations better than most. I look forward to the opportunity to work closely with International President Costa, International Secretary Treasurer Ken Kirk, International Executive Vice President Javier Perez, and the entire GEB to build an even better ATU for our members.”
Ken, his wife Lisa, and their twins – Cooper and Allie – reside in Halifax, NS.