Bassel Sleem will be the Union of Northern Workers’ president for the next three years, leading thousands of unionized workers across the Northwest Territories.
Sleem was declared the winner of Thursday’s presidential election in a statement posted to the UNW’s website at the end of its triennial convention.
Until now the leader of the UNW’s City of Yellowknife local, Sleem – a city planner – ran on a platform of “transparency, accountability and genuine consultation.”
He said he would seek to give locals more resources and training, “build meaningful solidarity” across workplaces and communities, and advocate for northern workers on issues like the cost of living and housing.
He titled his approach: “Connected Locals. Collective Strength.”
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“I believe in leadership that brings people together and gives them the tools to make a difference. Every single one of us deserves to be heard and has a role to play,” Sleem wrote during his campaign.
“I am not seeking this position because I believe one person has all the answers. I am seeking it because I believe in the collective knowledge, experience, and strength of our members and locals.”
The union did not publish the exact results or list of candidates. Sleem replaces Gayla Thunstrom, who was the union’s president for the past five years and had served on its executive for more than two decades, according to the UNW’s website.
The UNW’s new first vice-president is Geraldine Penney, with second vice-president David Williams.
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Its regional vice-presidents are:
- Beaufort Delta-Sahtu: William Pratt
- Fort Smith: Jessica Cox
- Hay River: Jeff Groenewegen
- North Great Slave: Anthony Spirito
- Somba K’e: Jabin Carrasco
The equity vice-president is Valerie Salmon-Laylor.
The positions of Dehcho and Kimberlite regional vice-president received no nominations and those elections will be re-run, the union said.
