Fraser leaves UFCW after more than six years at the helm to spend time with family
One of Canada's highest-paid union leaders has abruptly retired as national director of the United Food and Commercial Workers.
Michael Fraser left the union at the end of April after six and a half years as director. The UFCW, one of the country's biggest unions, said he left to spend more time with his family.
"UFCW Canada will always be a part of my life, just a smaller part," Fraser said in a union statement.
"I plan to continue to contribute in some way but what I'm really looking forward to is spending more time with my kids."
Fraser started out as an employee at a Dominion store in Waterloo, Ont., in 1976. He worked his way up the ranks of the UFCW from president of a Thunder Bay local in 1985 to national director in 1999.
In 2003, he earned almost $185,000 as director, according to government disclosure records and the Toronto Star, making him one of Canada's top paid labour leaders.
The union's national council elected veteran Local 175 president Wayne Hanley to replace Fraser. Until his successor is elected, Hanley will continue in his role as Local 175 president as well as union director.
“Michael Fraser has done an outstanding job leading UFCW Canada,” said Hanley in a union statement.
“I am committed to advancing the programs he has initiated. For more than 25 years, Michael has dedicated his life to improving the lives of working Canadians and I’m determined to continue that agenda.”
Michael Fraser left the union at the end of April after six and a half years as director. The UFCW, one of the country's biggest unions, said he left to spend more time with his family.
"UFCW Canada will always be a part of my life, just a smaller part," Fraser said in a union statement.
"I plan to continue to contribute in some way but what I'm really looking forward to is spending more time with my kids."
Fraser started out as an employee at a Dominion store in Waterloo, Ont., in 1976. He worked his way up the ranks of the UFCW from president of a Thunder Bay local in 1985 to national director in 1999.
In 2003, he earned almost $185,000 as director, according to government disclosure records and the Toronto Star, making him one of Canada's top paid labour leaders.
The union's national council elected veteran Local 175 president Wayne Hanley to replace Fraser. Until his successor is elected, Hanley will continue in his role as Local 175 president as well as union director.
“Michael Fraser has done an outstanding job leading UFCW Canada,” said Hanley in a union statement.
“I am committed to advancing the programs he has initiated. For more than 25 years, Michael has dedicated his life to improving the lives of working Canadians and I’m determined to continue that agenda.”
