FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                        MAY 5, 2000

OTTAWA - For the first time in its 34-year history, delegates to the Public Service Alliance of Canada convention have elected a woman - Nycole Turmel - as its National President. Turmel won a decisive victory on the first ballot over two other candidates.

"My presidency will be open, transparent and accountable," says Turmel. "I will be open to ideas, act on our priorities, respond to criticism and improve communications. Our union depends on our Locals, our Components and our regions working together and I pledge to achieve this. I also intend to put in place the necessary checks and balances to ensure the union’s financial health."

Turmel has been a member of the PSAC’s executive committee since 1991, most recently as National Executive Vice-President. She has been active in the union in elected positions at the local, regional and national level since 1979.

John Gordon has been elected National Executive Vice-President in a three-way contest for this position.

"I am committed to achieving a fast, focused and effective bargaining process and to taking a mobilized membership to the bargaining table" says Gordon. "I will be working to restore respect, justice and dignity for our members."

Gordon is the immediate past National President of the former Union of Public Works Employees (UPWE) component of the PSAC, a position he held for 15 years.

Heather Brooker was elected alternate National Executive Vice-President.

In a series of regional caucuses, delegates elected 7 Regional Executive Vice-Presidents to complete the union’s nine-member executive committee. They are:

Paul Ducey, Regional Executive Vice-President - Atlantic
Jérôme Turcq, Regional Executive Vice-President - Quebec
John Baglow, Regional Executive Vice-President - National Capital Region
Gerry Halabecki, Regional Executive Vice-President - Ontario
Robyn Benson, Regional Executive Vice-President - Prairies
Patty Ducharme, Regional Executive Vice-President - British Columbia
Jean-François Des Lauriers, Regional Executive Vice-President - North

All elected officers take up their duties effective immediately.

-30-

For information:

Lois Ross, PSAC Co-ordinator of communications, (cell) 613-293-4663

Nancy Mitchell, Communications officer, (613) 234-8971 (media room), (613) 560-4235 (office)

32-050500