Lean on Landon

for

COPE 343 President

See my 6-month plan to build a stronger foundation for our union through:

Financial Stewardship

  • Development of Local’s first budget

  • Opposition to any dues increase

  • Quarterly plain-language financial updates

  • Procurement procedure requiring a contract for services over $1000

Member Empowerment

  • Re-introduction of a Political Action Committee open to all members

  • Regular Equity / Young Worker / PAC meetings at Local 343 Office

  • Advertisement and expansion of funding for members and Unit Chairs

  • Local-specific “Steward’s Guide” and “Union Orientation Handbook”

Proactive Communication

  • Offers to visit every bargaining unit in-person

  • Weekly in-person and virtual “Office Hours” available to all members

  • Overhaul of socials, website, and newsletter; book-off for contributors

  • Introduction of French translation for all written communication

About me

I’ve been a proud COPE member for nearly half a decade, and a Steward for just as long, being elected weeks after signing my union card. I have since taken over as the Chief Steward of my workplace, among the largest in the Local, and rallied our members into one of the most vocal and active groups in the Union.

I joined the COPE 343 Executive Board following a contested election at our 2025 Convention, on the back of my vocal opposition to dues increases without an exhaustive review of alternative solutions. I am an activist, an equity member, and the only young worker currently on the COPE 343 Executive Board.

I have always put every ounce of energy I have into what I’m passionate about: as an athlete, as an actor, and now as an advocate. I’m asking for a chance to use that energy to enact my vision for the presidency.

My 6-Month Plan

  • November

    • Establishment of a new “Budget Committee” to develop the local’s first budget, effective until the election of a new Executive Board at the end of the 2025/2026 fiscal year

    • Establishment of the inactive constitutionally-mandated Political Action Committee

    • Establishment of bi-monthly meetings for Equity Members and Young Workers hosted in hybrid format at the Local 343 office with local transportation and meals covered

    • Offers sent to half of all Unit Chairs/Chief Stewards to discuss workplace issues and how the Local can better support them

  • December

    • Introduction of quarterly plain-language financial updates to increase fiscal transparency in periods between BGM and Convention

    • Revival of quarterly Local 343 newsletter, with book off time available to members interested in writing for the newsletter

    • Development of internal “procurement policy” to ensure all services rendered to the Local in excess of $1000 are completed under a contract

    • Offers sent to remainder of Unit Chairs/Chief Stewards to discuss workplace issues and how the Local can better support them

  • January

    • Start of full-time book off as President

    • Completion of interim budget

    • Implementation of “President’s Office Hours”: time each week to meet with President at Local 343 office or online

    • Personal overhaul and update of Local 343 website, uploading all governance documents and implementing comprehensive translation

    • Personal overhaul of Local 343 social media, including implementation of social media posting schedule and comprehensive translation

    • Offers extended to half of all Local 343 Bargaining Units to visit in person

    • Correction of 40+ clerical errors in Local 343 constitution and full translation of the constitution

  • February

    • Development of Local 343-specific steward’s guide, including local-specific contact info and new standardized grievance forms

    • Development of “Union Orientation Handbook” and standardized presentation package for stewards in units that allow orientation sessions

    • Introduction of rolling advertisements for funding available to stewards for bargaining unit meetings and to members for educational opportunities

    • Renewal of COPE 343 Scholarship with dedicated portal, mandatory anonymous scoring, and responses to applicants regardless of success

    • Offers extended to second half of all Local 343 BUs to visit in person

  • March

    • Development of written succession documents for all aspects of Local 343 management

    • Development of digital and physical “New Member Guides” to be issued to all units for new members

    • Early release of documents typically provided for ratification at Convention for advanced review

    • Dedicated meetings of Equity and Young Workers Caucuses to develop proposals and constitutional amendments for Convention

  • April

    • Establishment of a “Convention Advisory Committee” to ensure proposed constitutional amendments and other business are ordered and introduced fairly and impartially

    • Comprehensive suite of proposed constitutional amendments, including:

      • Requirement that proposed dues increases be approved with a 2/3 majority vote rather than a simple majority

      • Requirement that proposed dues increases be accompanied by a “Staff Report” explaining specific financial rationale or unexpected circumstances leading to shortfall

      • Expansion of Article 15, which reflects COPE National’s Internal Discipline Procedure, to prevent Officers of the Local Executive adjudicating complaints about themselves

      • Enshrinement of the “Budget Committee” and “Convention Advisory Committee” as permanent standing committees under Article 10

      • Addition of “Chair and Vice-Chair of the Political Action Committee” as Officers of the Union’s Executive to reflect the importance of the positions and increase communication with the Executive

      • Formal removal of the $10 initiation fee described in articles 5.3 and 13.1