Maria Wormsbecker was awarded the Godfroy Côté Award
at the UTE Triennial Convention in Windsor, July 18, 2014.
In the photo: Jamie vanSydenborgh, Jean-Pierre Fraser, Bob Campbell, Maria Wormsbecker, Denis Lalancette, Robin Johnson
Here are some excerpts from the submission for recommendation:
Sister Maria Wormsbecker has been a strong UTE activist for more than 30 years. Over the years, Sister Wormsbecker has fought a lot of battles with an armour of knowledge and integrity, and she has never backed down from an issue that needed to be fought and should have been won. She has given the UTE, and its membership, her dedication including her blood, sweat and tears. This has included time away from family; time at home, after hours, to assist a distraught member or another union representative and for someone enduring a personal crisis, a shoulder to cry on. She has always gone above and beyond what was expected of her by the union and the employer.
Some of the toughest cases we handle, like harassment and discipline, Maria has confronted with determination and compassion.
Maria has been a Steward, local Chief Steward, 1st Vice-President to three local Presidents (Dave Howard, John Casey and myself) and most recently President of the Hamilton Local. Maria has stood up for, and with, members in Hamilton, as if they were family.
Through every campaign that the union has had, Maria has stood before the membership, explaining and promoting the ideals of the union. She stands up for the union, presents its position and is out front leading the fight. Maria finds ways to get the union’s message across to the members and management, whether using black balloons to get under the employer’s skin, handing out chocolate with our handouts, or outside various federal buildings yelling out the union’s message. Maria stands out, front and centre leading the way.
Jamie vanSydenborgh
Regional Vice-President, Southwestern Ontario
Union of Taxation Employees