Recognizing our members’ work and accomplishments.
Bruce Mackay Solidarity Awards.
The Bruce Mackay Solidarity Awards are presented annually by the Winnipeg Labour Council (WLC) to recognize contributions made to the community and labour movement. The awards wish to recognize the work, dedication, solidarity and community spirit that people bring to projects and events that benefit all workers in the City of Winnipeg - on Treaty 1 Territory.
Each spring, the WLC shares the nomination criteria with affiliates of the WLC for two awards: The Community Activist Award, and the Labour Activist Award. Both awards are presented during the month of September.
Keep an eye on the events section of our website each spring for the annual call for nominations of these awards!
Awards Criteria:
The Labour Activist Award
The individual must have made an outstanding contribution to the labour movement either over the years, or with a single action which has progressed working people’s lives or brought solidarity to the union or to the working people of the City of Winnipeg - Treaty 1.
The Community Activist Award
The individual must have made an outstanding contribution in the community to the working people of the City of Winnipeg - Treaty 1, either over the years or with a single action which has been a benefit to working people in the City of Winnipeg - Treaty 1.
Nomination Process:
The award will promoted in mailings to affiliates and community allies, on the website, social media and applicable publications. Any member of an affiliated Union or one of our community allies, may nominate a candidate provided the candidate comes from one of these groups.
Click here to open a copy of the Labour Activist Award Nomination
Click here to open a copy of the Community Activist Award Nomination
Nominations must be returned to the WLC office and can be mailed, faxed or scanned and emailed to wlcadmin@winnipeglabour.ca.
Once the nominations are received, the Winnipeg Labour Council executive will review the submissions and select one recipient from each category. Nominators will be notified of the outcome by Email, and contacted to plan for the presentation of the awards to the recipient(s). A formal announcement of award recipients will also be made via the WLC’s social media platforms.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Sister Stephanie Mack at the WLC office at 204-942-0522 or by email at wlcadmin@winnipeglabour.ca.
The Art Coulter Labour Community Service Award.
The Art Coulter Labour Community Services Award is awarded annually by United Way Winnipeg and the Winnipeg Labour Council. It’s named in honour of James Arthur ‘Art’ Coulter, a trade unionist dedicated to improving the quality of life in our city.
The award is presented to a Winnipeg trade unionist who has made an outstanding contribution to the Winnipeg community. The recipient has made a difference through volunteerism, educating, activism and support for United Way Winnipeg and UWW Agency Partners.
The recipient of the Art Coulter Labour Community Service award receives an inscribed award, and their name added to an inscribed plaque that is hung in the offices of the Winnipeg Labour Council and United Way Winnipeg with room to add the name of the recipients from each year.
Who can make a nomination for this award?
A United Way Winnipeg agency partner, or member of United Way
Winnipeg’s Board of Trustees, Campaign Cabinet or a standing committeeA union member or union organization affiliated to the Canadian Labour Congress and the Winnipeg Labour Council
The nominator must present in writing their reasons for the nomination and the nominee’s qualifications.
Click here for the nomination criteria and form, and a list of past winners, click here!
Who Was Art Coulter?
James Arthur Coulter was born in Winnipeg on October 20, 1916.
He grew up in Weston, a working-class neighbourhood in the city’s north end adjacent to the CP Rail yards.
He worked for Western Canada Malting, a supplier of malted barley for the thriving brewery industry in Winnipeg and, through the union there, became involved in various committees.
His passion for helping people led him to Community Chest, a fundraising organization that collected money from local organizations and individuals and allocated it to a handful of charities.
As Executive Secretary of the Winnipeg and District Labour Council, and as a result of his work with Community Chest, Art became well aware of the needs that existed in the city, but with a number of similar fundraising appeals taking part throughout the city, he was convinced there was a more effective and united approach.
His efforts led to the Winnipeg and District Labour Council’s initiative to involve the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce in a partnership to study the implementation of a united appeal.
At a public meeting in June, 1964, the citizens of Winnipeg endorsed a recommended action that a United Way be established. And on May 15, 1965, Bill #87, the act to incorporate the United Way of Greater Winnipeg was enacted, as a direct result of Art’s belief in unity.