Labour - Labour Board

Board members: Employee Representatives



George Bouchard click to open

Appointed in 2019, George Bouchard has been employed as a national servicing representative with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) since 2010. Coming from the airline division of CUPE, he has the opportunity to service locals in all 5 of the union's sectors, primarily focusing on the negotiations, arbitrations and general grievance handling. He was previously a member of the Social Services Appeal Board of Manitoba.




Marie Buchan click to open

Appointed in 2021, Marie Buchan is the secretary treasurer for United Food and Commercial Workers Union, Local No. 832 (UFCW L832), in Winnipeg. UFCW L832 represents over 18,000 members of the private sector in over 130 different workplaces across the Province. As secretary treasurer, Ms. Buchan is responsible for all financial aspects of UFCW L832. She began her career with UFCW L832 in 2002. She came on staff as a relieve representative, becoming a permanent, full-time union representative in March 2003. In the same month, in addition to her appointment as a L832 full-time union representative, she was elected to the executive board of the UFCW Canadian Council. Ms. Buchan has also been the Manitoba representative for the UFCW Canada Youth Committee and the UFCW Canada Women’s Advisory Board. She was the local’s director of servicing for four years before moving into the negotiation’s department in 2012. After four years as a full-time negotiator and executive assistant to the president, Ms. Buchan moved into her role as director of operations. As Director of Operations, she oversaw all staff and overall operations of the locals 3 offices & 2 training centres in the Province. In June of 2021, Ms. Buchan was elected by acclimation to the role of Secretary Treasurer.

Ms. Buchan also represents UFCW L832 as a member of the Manitoba Federation of Labour Executive Council. She currently aits as a trustee for a variety of health and welfare benefit plans and is on the Manitoba Blue Cross board of directors.





Abstinencia (Abs) Diza click to open

Appointed in 2015, Abs Diza has been employed with Workers United Canada Council since 2006, and is currently a regional union representative. Ms. Diza is also currently an officer of the Manitoba Federation of Labour Executive Council.




Greg Flemming click to open

Appointed in 2019, Greg Flemming is the executive director of the University of Manitoba Faculty Association, where he is active in grievance handling, collective bargaining, and the governance of the association. He received his Doctor of Philosophy from York University in 2015, where he was a tutor and member of the Canadian Union of Public Employees.




Colin Ghostkeeper click to open

Appointed in 2023, Colin Ghostkeeper has worked for the Manitoba Government & General Employees’ Union since 2002. Starting in the MGEU Resource Centre, Colin moved into a staff representative role in 2006. Mr. Ghostkeeper has been involved in representing members in such sectors as Civil Service, Crown Corporations, healthcare, and nonprofit agencies, servicing the membership and bringing grievances forward, and began negotiating collective agreements in 2008. Colin took on the role of member service manager in 2021, and manages a team of MGEU staff representatives working around the province. Colin is a graduate of the Labour College of Canada Certificate Program, and also the National Union of Public Employees Leadership School 2011.



Dee Gillies click to open

Appointed in 2019, Dee Gillies is an experienced organizer, negotiator, and employee representative in grievances and arbitrations. She served as the executive director of the Winnipeg Association of Public Service Officers (WAPSO) until her retirement in 2018. Prior to that she was an international representative for the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFTPTE), and board member of the Telecommunications Employees Association of Manitoba (TEAM).



Tom Henderson click to open

Appointed in 2016, Tom Henderson works at the Manitoba Nurses Union (MNU) as a labour relations officer with a specialty in workplace, safety and health, as well as working in labour relations, since 2002. Prior to working with the MNU, he was employed in the private sector within the aerospace industry and has held a number of leadership roles including local union president, bargaining committee chairperson, and local union discussion leader. As a labour relations officer, Mr. Henderson deals with grievance arbitrations, collective bargaining and the delivery of specific membership training needs as required. He is a certified health and safety professional and provides the MNU, and its leadership, with workplace safety and health advice. He also handles files related to workplace safety and health with employers, where MNU represents nurses.




Janet Kehler click to open

Appointed in 2018, Janet Kehler has both Bachelors of Arts and Social Work degrees and began her career in child protection, going on to serve as manager of Emergency Services for the Province of Manitoba. In 2006, she took on the role as staff representative with the Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union (MGEU), where she was responsible for negotiating collective agreements, bringing grievances forward, and other member services. She went on to manage a team of staff representatives before assuming her current position as the MGEU director of Member Services. As director, Ms. Kehler oversees various components of the service continuum, including several teams of staff representatives, the MGEU’s resource centre, and its legal department.




Nancy Kerrclick to open

Nancy Kerr was appointed to the Manitoba Labour Board in 2022. Prior to retiring, Nancy served The Manitoba Teachers’ Society as a staff officer in the Teacher Welfare Department from 2002 to 2018, including four years as the Winnipeg Teachers’ Association Business Agent. She has extensive experience in collective bargaining, grievance handling, maternity/parental leaves, and international programs. Prior to becoming a staff officer, she taught high school chemistry and physics for 13 years, during which time she was heavily involved in her local teacher association. She has a Bachelor of Science (4 yr.) from the University of Winnipeg, and a Bachelor of Education and Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Education from the University of Manitoba.




Marc Lafond click to open

Appointed in 2016, Marc Lafond has been employed as business manager and financial secretary of the International Union of Operating Engineers of Manitoba, Local 987 (IUOE) since 2011. Previous to his employment with the IUOE, he was the executive director of OETIM Inc. a crane, heavy equipment and safety training facility from 2006 - 2011, and was a Red Seal mobile crane operator for 1997 - 2006. He currently serves as a trustee on several pension and health and welfare boards and the Workers Compensation Board. He is a graduate of the University of Manitoba Labour Studies Program.




Mary Lakatos click to open

Appointed in 2023, Mary has worked for the Manitoba Nurses Union (MNU) as a labour relations officer since 2010. Prior to working with MNU she was employed in the health care field as a registered nurse. She has also held various union positions throughout her nursing career, including grievance chair, and has been a member representative on the MNU provincial bargaining committee. As a labour relations officer she is responsible for enforcing the collective agreement, facilitating positive employee relations, addressing grievances, participating in arbitrations and negotiating collective agreements.




Lee Manning click to open

Lee Manning received certification in Human Resources Management from the University of Manitoba in 2000. He has worked as a Labour Leader, Independent Consultant and negotiator, Human Resources Consultant, Director of Human Resources and Executive Director. He worked for 20 years as a Labour leader at Carling O’Keefe and subsequently Molson Breweries until their closure in 1997. He has worked primarily in Human Resources in healthcare both in the public and private sectors. He has acted as Executive Director involving management of a healthcare union and advocate for membership.




Paul McKie click to open

Appointed in 2024, Paul McKie was employed as a national representative with Unifor (and one of its predecessors, CEP) from 2003 until his retirement from Unifor in late 2023. Additionally, Mr. McKie was Unifor’s Area Director for Manitoba and Saskatchewan from February 2017 until his retirement. As a national representative, he dealt with grievances from the later stage up to and including arbitration. Collective bargaining was at the core of his responsibilities. Prior to working for Unifor, Mr. McKie was a journalist with the Winnipeg Free Press from April 1985 until January 2003. Mr. McKie has a Specialist Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with a Major in Canadian Labour History from the University of Toronto at Mississauga. He has been chair and trustee on the board of trustees for a small, jointly-trusteed pension plan since April 2017.




Aarti Sharmaclick to open

Aarti Sharma has been worked within the labour movement since 2016. Ms Sharma currently works with the Operating Engineers Local 987 as a Business Representative where she primarily represents her membership through grievance handling, collective bargaining and other labour relation matters. Ms Sharma’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts degree in Labour Studies and Management and a second Bachelor degree in Social Work. Ms Sharma sits on various boards including the Executive Board of the Operating Engineers Local 987 and their Health & Welfare/Pension Board as a trustee.




Glenn Tomchak click to open

Appointed in 2015, Glenn Tomchak has held positions in International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Local 1953 executive since 1984; including six years as chief steward and 19 years as president, dealing with grievance arbitration matters, collective bargaining and shop issues. In March 2015, he was elected as the directing business representative for District 181. Mr. Tomchak has worked at Motor Coach Industries for over 30 years

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