Dave Clark: 2017-2023

Brother Clark was elected National President of the Union of Canadian Transportation Employees at its 2017 Convention. Dave served in several union positions throughout his working life, such as shop steward and local president. In 2011, he became the UCTE Regional Vice-President Pacific Region, a position he held until 2017. He was also the first National President elected from the private sector, of which he was very proud.

Having worked for Transport Canada, various airlines, and finally, the Vancouver International Airport Authority, Dave understood many of the issues faced by our members, whether they found themselves in trades, safety and security, or administration.

What was important to Dave was that the union stay connected with its membership. “Working with the members at the ground level, I realized there were changes that needed to happen within the labour movement to remain current and relevant.” As a result, Brother Clark brought about different ways for UCTE to engage with its members who were not usually involved.

His family was the only thing more important to him than the labour movement.

National president, brother, and friend Dave Clark died suddenly on Thursday, May 18, 2023, in his second term in office.

Winnipeg Airport Strike – 2017 / Grève à l’aéroport de Winnipeg – 2017

Taken at our Saturday night get together. May 13th BBQ burgers
and double rum and coke. Summer was underway. / Prise lors de notre réunion du samedi soir. Le 13 mai, hamburgers au barbecue
et double rhum-coca. L’été était en marche.

Picture taken at Dave’s last in-person National Executive meetings. / Photo prise lors de la dernière réunion en personne du comité exécutif national avec Dave.