On June 21st, Labour Community Services and the Labour Council celebrated the inspiring work being done in labour equity and human rights at the 19th Annual Bromley Lloyd Armstrong Awards Gala. Together we continue to celebrate Bromley Armstrong and his legacy, as well as honour those who follow in his footsteps.
Bromley Lloyd Armstrong was a Black trade unionist, organizer, and activist who led Ontario’s early anti-discrimination campaigns. His efforts paved the way for Canada’s first Human Rights laws. During the evening, we gave special honour to Nuredin Bulle, the first Black President of UNITE HERE 75, who has worked tirelessly leading 8000 members across the GTA.
This year featured the historic unveiling of the first ever Indigenous Rights Awards for individual as well as collective/union activism on National Indigenous Peoples Day. To celebrate this achievement, we were joined by Red Sky performance, a leading company of contemporary Indigenous performance in Canada and worldwide.
The evening included keynote addresses by Krista Maracle of the OPSEU Indigenous Circle and Ginelle Skeritt, CEO of the York Region Children’s Aid Society.
With more than 400 people in attendance, a total of 12 recipients received the awards overall and have been added to the prestigious alumni.
See the profile of each winner below, and see this year’s booklet HERE.
Congratulations to all the winners at the 19th Annual Bromley Lloyd Armstrong Awards!
Audrey Huntley
Member of the Society of United Professionals (IFPTE 160)
Winner of the Bromley Armstrong Award Indigenous Rights Award for Individual Excellence
Brent Pelletier
Member of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 113
Winner of the Bromley Armstrong Award Indigenous Rights Award for Individual Excellence
Crystal Sinclair
Formerly of the OPSEU SEFPO Indigenous Circle, Indigenous Mobilization Team, Local 548.
Winner of the Bromley Armstrong Award Indigenous Rights Award for Individual Excellence
Melissa Somer
Member of Toronto Education Workers/CUPE 4400
Winner of the Bromley Armstrong Award Indigenous Rights Award for Individual Excellence
SOCIETY OF UNITED PROFESSIONALS IFPTE 160
Winner of the Bromley Armstrong Award Indigenous Rights Award for Collective/Union Activism
OPSEU/SEFPO INDIGENOUS CIRCLE
Winner of the Bromley Armstrong Award Indigenous Rights Award for Collective/Union Activism
Attasha Jordan
Former President of OPSEU/SEFPO Local 510
Winner of the Bromley Armstrong Award for Individual Excellence
Deborah Karam
First racialized immigrant President of Toronto Elementary Catholic Teachers (TECT)
Winner of the Bromley Armstrong Award for Individual Excellence
Joy Davis
Unit C Steward with Toronto Education Workers/CUPE 4400
Winner of the Bromley Armstrong Award for Individual Excellence
Oyebode Ibidapo-Obe
Member of the Society of United Professionals (IFPTE 160), former Co-Chair of Employee Resource Group (ERG) at Hydro One
Winner of the Bromley Armstrong Award for Individual Excellence
Habtom Ogbamichael, Executive Board Member of UNITE HERE 75 accepting the award on behalf of Nuredin Bulle
Nuredin Bulle
First Black president of UNITE HERE Local 75
Winner of the Bromley Armstrong Award for Individual Excellence
UNITE HERE! LOCAL 75
Winner of the Bromley Armstrong Award for Union Excellence
