International Vice President Robin West has announced his retirement, effective March 1, after 42 years as a dedicated and committed member of the ATU.
“From his leadership at Local 508-Halifax, NS, to serving as Canadian Director to the countless contracts negotiated, to many successful organizing drives, including chartering Local 1767-Sault Ste. Marie, ON, Robin has over 42 years of distinguished service at our Union,” said International President John Costa. “While we will miss Robin, his retirement is well deserved, and we wish him and his family all the best.”
West joined Local 508 as a Bus Operator for Halifax Transit in February 1979. He rose through the ranks of his Local, serving as Vice President for three years, Financial Secretary for six years, and eventually President/Business Agent for 4 terms. In 1997, under West’s leadership, Local 508 received the ATU John J. Sweeney Organizing award after receiving recognition from the AFL-CIO President Sweeney for the Local’s successful organizing campaigns. In 1998, after a 9-year contract freeze by the Nova Scotia provincial government, West led his Local on strike for five weeks, winning a strong contract with wage increases and other improvements, including protecting the medical plan the employer was trying to take away.
West was elected ATU Canadian Director in 2006, where among other achievements, he started a successful campaign to change the criminal code to stiffen the penalty for attacking a transit worker to aggravated assault.
At the 2010 International Convention, West was elected International Vice President and continually re-elected to that position before retiring this March.
“It has been the honor of my life to serve this Union since my days as a Bus Operator at Halifax Transit. Since then, I’ve had so many amazing experiences and opportunities as a member of the ATU family,” said West. “As I head into the next chapter of my life, I hope that my commitment and passion for this Union will be my legacy. Thank you, International President Costa and the General Executive Board, for your leadership, and thank you to my ATU brothers and sisters who are the heart of this Union.”