My Third Campaign Pillar: Keep the Union relevant and strong

Hey friends — it’s been a little while since I’ve had a chance to sit down and write a new blog post. The past few weeks have been a whirlwind.

I spent a week in Ottawa supporting Treasury Board bargaining, where once again we saw the federal government come forward with a dismal wage offer that fails to reflect the realities workers are facing. I want to thank those who took part in the National Day of Solidarity, seeing the photos come in from coast, to coast, to coast was really inspiring while we were at the table. of If you haven’t already, I encourage you to check out the latest bargaining updates from all sectors of our union and stay connected to the fight.

The TC Bargaining team in Ottawa.

ALT TEXT: A group of nine people stand together in a hotel atrium.

From there, I headed straight to Winnipeg for the Canadian Labour Congress Convention, where union activists from across the country gathered to talk about the future of our movement, the challenges workers are facing, and how we continue building solidarity in difficult times. This year, the message from PSAC was clear: when the government slashes public service jobs, our families and communities pay the price.

Speaking at the mic calling on solidarity with striking PSAC/UNDE 40807 members.

ALT TEXT: Krysty at a microphone at a the CLC convention while holding a phone in her hand and a group of PSAC members standing alongside her.

Those experiences reinforced something I believe deeply and something that forms the third pillar of my campaign:

Keeping our union relevant and strong.

Our union must stay focused on what matters most: decent work, fair wages, and protecting the public services Canadians rely on every day. Real union strength means standing up for workers by defending collective bargaining, fighting for fair contracts, and ensuring safe and secure workplaces.

At the same time, equity must shape how we approach that work. Building a stronger union means ensuring all members see themselves reflected in our movement and that equity is woven into how we organize, advocate, and support one another.

What does this actually look like? It means…

• Keeping our union focused on the issues members face every day: bargaining, fair wages, workplace protections, work-life balance, and job security.

• Creating more opportunities for participation through workplace visits, town halls, mentorship, hybrid engagement, and reducing barriers such as childcare and unclear processes.

• Building campaigns that deliver visible results, celebrating member successes, creating space for real conversations, and encouraging community-based action.

• Embedding equity into all aspects of union work, from bargaining priorities to leadership development, while creating stronger pathways into leadership for equity-deserving members.

• Strengthening relationships with labour councils, community organizations, and social justice movements to connect workplace issues with broader community struggles.

Unions should inspire people to get involved and stay involved. I see PSAC Prairies as a place where members feel welcomed, respected, and empowered to make a difference. A place where members see their struggles reflected, their experiences respected, and their voices valued.

When members feel connected to their union, we build more than just campaigns or conventions, we build solidarity.

And when we connect our fights for fairness at work with fairness in our communities, we build a labour movement that lasts.

In solidarity,

Krysty