Connect

Andrew Gleeson

I joined the City in 2005 and became a CIPP member in 2011. For most of that time, my involvement with CIPP had been limited — a half dozen AGMs, a golf tournament or two, and signing any petition that came my way. But as I enter the latter half of my career, I’ve started paying closer attention to how our union operates and the challenges we face.

Like many members, I’ve felt frustration over the last few rounds of bargaining. The City’s approach — sending representatives without the authority to negotiate and defaulting to binding arbitration — has made it clear that we need to shift how we organize and apply pressure.

That’s why I’ve started getting more involved. I’ve enjoyed working with the CIPP Connect team to support the organizing process, promote the bargaining expectations survey, and help position CIPP for a stronger, more coordinated approach in the next round of bargaining. Our first meeting in January laid out the realities of past negotiations and the expectations ahead. We’re starting with list-building: gathering personal contact info and gauging member engagement so we can communicate more effectively outside City channels.

I’m also planning to run for a board position at the fall AGM. Part of my interest in stepping into this role is to challenge myself and create a learning opportunity — to grow as a leader while contributing to a union that’s evolving in exciting ways. I believe we need to show up in numbers — in person or virtually — to vote and help shape the future of our union.

Being part of CIPP has reminded me that solidarity isn’t just a slogan — it’s a strategy. I’m proud to stand with colleagues who are ready to push for fairness, transparency, and respect. Together, we can change the conversation.

Beverly Croft

I started working with the City in 1999 and first joined the Board in 2013 for two years and then rejoined it in 2019 and served six years. To be completely honest, prior to becoming a Director, I had never even thought about being involved with CIPP. Now, I look back on it as one of the best decisions I made. Both terms on the Board were professional and personal growth experiences.

It can be a little nerve-wracking to start something completely new, but I wanted to give it a try. As a Director, I joined several committees such as the Member Engagement Committee (now known as the Member Engagement and Diversity Committee), the Governance and Human Resources Committee, and the Scholarship Committee as a member. I later took on a leadership role with those committees and served as Chair of each of them at different times.

My leadership experience with the Board expanded when I served as Vice President for a year. And, of course, my last two years I had the great honour and privilege to serve as the President of the Board of Directors. I also had the opportunity to serve as Chair of the Negotiating Committee during our last round of bargaining. While not currently involved with the Board this year, I have stayed as an engaged union member as part of the Member Engagement and Diversity Committee, the Negotiating Committee and the Connect group.

Being involved in the union has taught me a lot, from the roles and responsibilities of the Board to how the bargaining process works, to best practices for member engagement and much much more. However, the highlight for me in my many roles was working with the other members from across our union, that I would normally not have the chance to work with, as we strived to best represent and support you, the members. For me, it has always been about the members.

Dietrich Sider

My experiences over the last year working with CIPP and the Connect network have opened my mind and heart to all of the possibilities that we can build together as a union. Along the way I have learned and grown and worked alongside inspiring and dedicated colleagues, met hundreds of you, and witnessed the birth of a re-energizing of this union where we are feeling, and taking first steps to reclaiming our power!

Over the past year as a member of Connect I have learned: I received training alongside thousands of other union members from around the world on the fundamentals of organizing from Organizing For Power (O4P). It was incredibly inspiring to hear from workers and other organizers on what they are doing to apply organizing skills to help their organizations build the power they need to win!

I’ve also listened: In my own department and outside, I’ve had the opportunity to host small group bargaining consultations – an opportunity for members to sit down together and talk through what is important to them in the next contract. While some of what I heard was unsurprising, I came away with a much better understanding of the priorities of members whose circumstances are very different from mine, or whose workplace conditions are very different. It was a humbling experience, and that information will be incredibly valuable for our bargaining team when they sit down across the table from the employer soon.

My favourite part of being a Connect member is by far the opportunities to meet all of you, hear your stories and dreams and concerns, but most of all, feel the energy and excitement that you bring to wanting to make this a better workplace for everyone! You care! About me, about the colleagues on your team, about every one of us!

Naïka Thomas

My journey with CIPP began last year, when a group of members advocated and worked on the motion calling out the harm caused by the City of Ottawa’s silence on Palestine. That moment was more than a political stance—it was a call for accountability, solidarity, and care. I was moved by how many members came together in support of the motion, and it was in that collective action that I saw the power of our union to create meaningful change.

That experience inspired me to get more involved, and I was honored to be elected to the Board shortly after. This year, I’ve had the privilege of leading the Member Engagement and Diversity Committee, where we have worked to establish a Human Rights discussion group that we hope to launch in the near future.

Through union training, I’ve deepened my understanding of labour rights, and collective power. I’ve also joined the Connect group, where I’ve enjoyed participating in growing union involvement across different departments.

Being part of CIPP has reminded me that unions are not just about contracts—they’re about care, courage, and collective power. I’m proud to be part of a union that is willing to name harm, take a stand, and build spaces where members can feel seen and supported.

I look forward to continuing the work of building and strengthening a union that reflects our shared values and collective vision.