Guy Jacob: 1972-1979
Guy Jacob became UCTE President at the 1972 convention in a very close vote. He was then twice re-elected to the office in 1975 and 1978. Brother Jacob was active in the labour movement before the PSAC was created. He was involved with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers for 10 years before starting to work at the Dorval airport. He was a delegate at the meeting that created the component in 1966. From 1966 to 1972, he was local President at the Dorval Airport. Six months into his third presidential term, Guy ran for third vice president during the PSAC’s 1979 convention. Brother Jacob always took pride in his union. He contended that it wasn’t a radical union, but it was a militant one – and one that the government should think twice about before challenging. During his time as president, the Air Traffic Control Assistants and Firefighters held wildcat walkouts, and the GLT members held a national strike. Brother Guy Jacob retired in 1985 and continued to advocate for public servants as part of the National Association of Federal Retirees. He passed away in 2019 at the age of 91.