Jan Noster, Executive Director of the Confederation of Canadian Unions (CCU), addressed its Labour School in Calgary in February 2026. Jan talked about his own journey as former president of the Construction Maintenance and Allied Workers Canada (CMAW) union, which is a CCU affiliate.
Jan talked about the proud history of the CCU, its founding by legendary union organizer and activist Madeleine Parent in the 1960s, its commitment to workers’ rights, democracy and social justice, and its ultimate goal of creating an association of independent, democratic unions that are 100% Canadian controlled.
He also discussed the future of the CCU, organizing young workers, utilizing new tools like social media and labour education, political action, and working with other progressive organizations in Canada in the fight for fairness and better working conditions.
