Bud Jimmerfield
Hired in 2002 as an operator at Rio Tinto/Alcan’s aluminum smelter in Saguenay, Robert Girard first became involved in the union as a shop steward in 2011. That year, he took part in talks leading to the renewal of his collective agreement as a representative of the electrolysis department at the Latterrière plant.
In 2014, Robert was elected prevention representative and then, in 2017, he was elected occupational health and safety coordinator for Local 1937, the Syndicat national des employé-e-s de l’aluminium d’Arvida. In this capacity, Robert is responsible for occupational health and safety for all workers at Rio Tinto/Alcan facilities in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region.
Over the years, Robert has demonstrated a tireless and exemplary commitment to occupational health and safety, at the level of both prevention and worker compensation.
As health and safety coordinator, Robert’s achievements include:
- Creation of a group of 20 health and safety representatives at Rio Tinto Aluminium since 2018.
- Creation of an inter-union group (Unifor and Steelworkers) of over 50 health and safety representatives.
- School presentation on aluminum as part of the Comité sectoriel de la main-d'oeuvre du secteur de la métallurgie.
- Involvement in the “Rêver l’Aluminium” project.
- Active involvement in the health and safety committee of Unifor’s Quebec Council.
- Member of the joint committee on epidemiological studies at Rio Tinto.
- Member of the organizing committee for the CNESST Saguenay-Lac St-Jean conferences.
- Participation in meetings of Unifor OH&S reps.
- Education and training of Local 1937 members through the creation of OHS capsules on workplace contaminants, newsletters on the achievements of occupational health and safety committees, and regular plant visits for Local members.
- Recognition evening for members to mark their involvement in occupational health and safety.
Robert has always considered education to be an essential component of occupational health and safety. In addition to being a member of the Unifor Québec training team, Robert also organizes several training courses each year that are offered to OHS representatives from his local, but also more widely to other Unifor locals.
Some of the themes covered in these courses include:
- Confined spaces
- Lockout
- Right to refuse work
- Workshop on complaints for reprisals (Section 227 of the Act respecting occupational health and safety and Section 32 of the Act respecting industrial accidents and occupational diseases)
- Workshop on psychosocial risks
- Progressive disciplinary measures
- Use of cameras in the workplace
- CNESST file procedures
- Duty to accommodate workers with disabilities
In addition to his work in prevention, Robert is also deeply committed to defending the rights of workers who have been the victim of a workplace accident. For example, he has:
- Served as a workers’ compensation representative before the CNESST and administrative tribunals on behalf of the Local’s active and retired members.
- Provided assistance to non-unionized workers for the management of their workplace accident files.
- Participated in meetings of Unifor workers’ compensation reps.
In short, Robert Girard’s commitment to occupational health and safety is second to none. Whether it’s a matter of prevention or the defence of workers injured in the workplace, Robert can be found on the front line of every battle.
For all these reasons, there’s no doubt in our minds that the time has come to recognize his dedication by awarding him the 2024 Bud Jimmerfield Award.
Who was Bud Jimmerfield?
Bud Jimmerfield was a tireless Health and Safety, Environment and Workers’ Compensation activist, not just at his workplace but at other workplaces and in communities from coast to coast.
Bud worked as a machinist for 31 years, exposed every working day to cancer-causing metalworking fluids at an auto parts plant in Amherstburg, Ontario. When Bud was diagnosed with esophageal cancer at the age of 47, the compensation board initially denied that his cancer was caused by exposure to metalworking fluids at his place of work. Bud and his union fought back, presenting evidence to an appeals board that agreed that Bud's cancer arose from workplace exposure. This appeal decision was ground-breaking and resulted in national attention on the effects of exposure to hazardous substances in the workplace.
It has been 25 years since Bud's death in January, 1997, 18 months after his diagnosis, at age 49, leaving behind his eight children and wife Diane.
Before he died, Bud charged union activists with an important responsibility “don’t mourn my death, fight for the living and do your best to try to prevent future occupational diseases, death and injuries from occurring.”
As Bud’s union, Unifor continues his legacy through activism and education. Since 1999, the union has presented outstanding health, safety and environment activists with the Bud Jimmerfield award.
Previous Recipients
- Dave Churchill, Local 28
- Marc Roussel, Local 219, 2022
- Ed Steers, Local 199, 2021
- Richard Clark, Local 697, 2020
- Karen Paton-Evans, UniFaith Community Chapter, 2020
- Todd Sleeper, Local 88, 2020
- Dave Stewart, Local 598, 2020
- Mark Bruce, Local 1996, 2020
- Angie Martz, Local 229, 2020
- Shirley Egan, Local 444, 2019
- Grant Truscott, Local 686-B, 2018
- Roger Haggerty, Local 592, 2017
- Emil Mesic, Local 707, 2016
- Susan Markus, Local 1859, 2012
- Nadia Anton-Collins, Local 707, 2010
- Gord Piper, Local 114, 2009
- Wayne Butler, Local 20, 2008
- Gary Parent, Local 444, 2007
- Dave Renaud, Local 222, 2006
- Jamie Wright, Local 88, 2005
- Karen Willsey, Local 2168, 2004
- Ken Bondy, Local 200, 2003
- Bob Bourrier, Local 100, 2002
- Dick Martin, Canadian Labour Congress, 2001
- Jim Mahon, Local 1520, 2001
- Hector McLellan, Local 27, 2000
- Jim Campbell, Local 195, 1999
