The Provincial Executive of the Hospital Employees’ Union announced today that it has hired Judy Darcy as its new secretary-business manager.
Darcy — who led the Canadian Union of Public Employees as both its national president and national secretary-treasurer for 14 years — will assume her new role next month.
HEU president Fred Muzin says Darcy’s record of championing workers’ rights and defending public services will serve the union’s 42,000 members well.
“Judy is a progressive and dynamic leader whose commitment to social justice and experience at the helm of Canada’s largest union is a perfect fit for HEU,” says Muzin.
HEU’s financial secretary Mary LaPlante says that Darcy’s experience managing the affairs of a national organization with more than 500,000 members and 650 staff makes her ideal for the union’s top staff position.
“We’re very excited that she’s agreed to put her formidable skills to work for our members,” says LaPlante.
Darcy says that HEU has been “blessed with a courageous membership and a talented staff” and that she’s looking forward to working with the union at this critical juncture in its history.
“In the face of relentless attacks on their rights and on the services they provide, HEU members have led the fight to defend public health care and advocate for their patients, residents and clients,” says Darcy.
“I’m thrilled to be part of such a proud tradition of social unionism and to have the opportunity to work with committed women and men who’ve consistently stood up for health care and decent jobs in their communities.”
HEU’s 42,000 members work in hospitals, long-term care facilities and in community health and social services.
— 30 — Contact: Mike Old, communications director, 604-828-6771 (cell)