Leona Barrett

Manager of Labour Relations

Manitoba Nurses Union

 

With over 33 years with Manitoba Nurses Union, Leona Barrett continues to execute her hard-work and passion for her role every day. Prior to working at MNU, Leona served a variety of roles (1980-1991) at the time of being employed at HSC. Such roles include MNU Board Member, PCBC Representative, and full time Local President.

Meeting members and assisting them with resolving issues in the workplace, as well as providing them with guidance and support are aspects of the job that Leona enjoys. Along with participating in negotiations both at the Central Table and with individual Locals not represented at Central Table. "I truly enjoy working with the team of staff members at MNU" says Barrett.

Leona is a grandmother to six grandchildren (3 boys and 3 girls), two of which live with her and her husband from Monday to Friday to go to school from their house. Leona's grandchildren are all actively involved in sports which include hockey, football, Judo, Lacrosse, basketball, and cheerleading, so her time not in the office are filled with transporting children to their sports activities or watching games/competitions. Even with Leona's busy schedule, she finds time to enjoy some of her hobbies, which include cooking and reading.

Speaking At:

Negotiations and Bargaining; Day 1

Marise Frankel

Labour Relations Officer

Manitoba Nurses Union

 

Marise Frankel always knew she wanted to be a part of the labour movement. With a degree in Labour Studies and 16 years as a Labour Relations Officer at MNU, Marise appreciates that she has the opportunity to support nurses when they need assistance.

With Frankel's job as an LRO, she recognizes that every day and every case is a little bit different- she knows that most of us spend more time at work than with our families, and so it is important to strive for a healthy and safe workplace that provides fair compensation and benefits.

As a mom to a twelve-year-old boy and three-year-old girl, you will often find Marise running between the hockey rink, swimming lessons and gymnastics.

Speaking At:

Negotiations and Bargaining; Day 1

Marla Johal

Labour Relations Officer

Manitoba Nurses Union

 

Marla Johal is a Labour Relations Officer with MNU but has been a Nurse for 25 years. Working in Home Care and then Public Health, Marla advocated for Nurses as an office PHN representative, as President of Local 1, Treasurer for Community Nurses Regional Local, and PCBC & Board for MNU, before joining provincial MNU office.

Marla is happy to continue with Union and Nurse activism at the provincial level.

Speaking At:

The Basics of Labour Relations; Day 2, AM
The Basics of Labour Relations; Day 2, PM

Julie Lackner

Labour Relations Officer

Manitoba Nurses Union

 

With 26 years of union-activism and front-line nurse experience (primarily in Long-term Care and the community), Julie Lackner has served as a Worksite and Regional President and sat on the Board of MNU.

"I decided it was time to pursue further education in Human Resources and Disability Management, completing them both and pursued a career in labour relations with the Manitoba Nurses Union".

As Julie believes in "life-long learning", with her most recent achievement completing the "Health and Safety Professional course", through Safety Services Manitoba- Julie seeks to educate nurses across the province on the rights and responsibilities to keep themselves and their patients safe in the workplace.

Speaking At:

Workplace Safety and Health; Day 2, AM
Workplace Safety and Health; Day 2, PM

Marlon Mahadeo

Labour Relations Officer

Manitoba Nurses Union

 

Marlon Mahadeo started with the Manitoba Nurses Union on June 6th, 2022.  He has over 16 years of Labour Relations experience working in various sectors such as: Provincial Correctional Facilities, Sheriffs Department, Winnipeg Law Courts, and Winnipeg Fire and Paramedics.
Marlon enjoys assisting Nurses with labour related inquiries and working collaboratively with various Employers to ensure our members are fully represented.

When Marlon is not working, you can find him in the kitchen perfecting his skills in cooking Caribbean cuisine!

Speaking At:

The Basics of Labour Relations; Day 2, AM
The Basics of Labour Relations; Day 2, PM

Katie Stark

Board Development Member

Manitoba Nurses Union

 

Katie Stark began her journey involving herself in the union in 2014 with the Local/Worksite at Health Sciences Centre, while being a nurse in the Children's Emergency Department for 15 years as well as a forensic nurse for 12 years.

Katie became involved as she saw it as the best outlet to allow herself to make working conditions better for nurses. Starting out on the Executive team representing the Children's Hospital from 2014-2020; It was during this time that Katie learnt skills and values towards being an activist. "MNU has helped shaped me into the activist I am today, with strong mentors" says Stark. In 2020, Katie successfully ran for election to be on the Board of Directors. She graciously remains a member of the Board to this day.

The opportunities to advocate and be part of the team, with the support to help speak out for nurses continues to be a rewarding and enjoyable aspect for Katie.

Speaking At:

Resolutions and Constitutions; Day 2, AM
Resolutions and Constitutions; Day 2, PM

Christine St. George

Labour Relations Officer

Manitoba Nurses Union

 

Christine St. George has been with Manitoba Nurses Union for over one year. Prior to her time here, Christine has spent time maintaining an Executive seat- appointed to sit on many different committees including one that was to address the Auditor Generals concerns for Community Care. She was the sole nurse on the committee, there to represent all community nurses of Manitoba.

As a President for her Worksite and Region, Christine enjoyed attending meetings and advocating from that level- though, strived for more. Advocacy for her fellow colleagues and clients still remains of high importance to Christine.

With completion of Labour Relations Courses through Red River Polytech, Christine was offered a secondment to a Labour Relations Officer position at MNU. Jumping at the opportunity, Christine was then fortunate enough to obtain permanent employment with Manitoba Nurses Union. With all accomplishments in her academics and career, being a Grandma to six wonderful children is St. George's all time achievement in life.

Speaking At:

Resolutions and Constitutions; Day 2, AM
Resolutions and Constitutions; Day 2, PM

Allan Kakakaway

Workshop Facilitator

Saskatchewan Federation of Labour(SFL) & CUPW

 

Allan Kakakaway is Anishinaabe (Saulteaux) from Keeseekoose First Nation. Born in
Kamsack, Sk. and raised on Cote First Nation by his Grandmother and Grandfather.
Presently, Allan is retired from Canada Post, in his time there he took on
responsibilities as a Social Steward and he had been involved with Human Rights
Investigations.
He has participated in facilitator training and leadership training offered by his
union and now facilitates workshops for his fellow union members and the
Saskatchewan Federation of Labour.
As a result of his passion for human rights, Allan sat on the Canadian Union of Postal
Worker's "National Human Rights Committee" and Saskatchewan Federation of
Labour "Indigenous Committee".
The Indigenous Committee introduced him to "Unionism on Turtle Island", so he took
the course and then introduced it to his Human Rights Committee. He now
facilitates "Turtle Island " for CUPW and SFL.
Allan is a certified facilitator of the Kairos Blanket Exercise and has delivered the
presentation to groups involved in education, justice, policy making, rural
communities and private and public sector organizations.

Speaking At:

Indigenous Blanket Ceremony; Day 2, AM
Indigenous Blanket Ceremony; Day 2, PM

Rodger Ross

Councillor for Indigenous Inclusion

Conseil des écoles fransaskoises

 

Rodger is a Métis/Cree born and raised in Saskatchewan, he is a proud
member of George Gordon First Nation. He is an international award winning
film and video producer with more than 40 years experience in the industry.
His formal training includes instruction in Broadcast Media, Journalism,
Graphic Arts and Design, Still Photography, Sound Reproduction and the
Martial Arts.
Rodger is a traditional storyteller and motivational speaker, who has learned
stories in the oral tradition by sitting with Elders from the Treaty Four Area
and beyond.
Presently Rodger is the Councillor for Indigenous Inclusion with the Conseil
des écoles fransaskoises for the Province of Saskatchewan, he is a Certified
Facilitator for the Kairos Blanket Exercise.
Rodger is also a Lead Facilitator of the Indigenous Leadership and Governance
Program jointly administered by the First Nations University of Canada
and Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Business, University of Regina
and the University of Saskatchewan.

Speaking At:

Indigenous Blanket Ceremony; Day 2, AM
Indigenous Blanket Ceremony; Day 2, PM