As a recently-elected representative out of Local 250A, Labatt Brewery, in Edmonton, I want to share my support for Lana Payne as national president, and for the team of outstanding union activists she has assembled to run as part of the Forward Together team.

My workplace is mostly composed of men. I have always thought so highly of those who do union work and represent workers, but it took me a long time to feel comfortable enough to run for office. Just recently, I got elected and now sit on the Prairie Regional Council executive.

The reason I ended up running myself is because of many, many union activists who encouraged me. I ran because there were some people along the way who told me I should. There were some people along the way who spent time talking through problems with me and helped me identify solutions that would actually help members. There were some people along the way who showed me that believing in a better union is more than a belief - it is a fight worth fighting every day.

I am supporting the Forward Together team because it is made up of these exact people. The local leadership who help each other out, treat each other as equals, never made me feel like I was less than them, never acted entitled like others have and in the end are part of the hard work to create a better union - even when it’s hard. I want to be part of the Forward Together team, which is why I’m more than excited to endorse them and help them get elected.

In solidarity,

Kat Williams, member of local 250A and the Prairie Regional Council executive

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