Pronouns: He/His
Location: Nova Scotia
Born and raised in the working class community of Whitney Pier, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Jason grew up understanding the importance of diversity, fairness and equality. His mother is a community leader, a former school board representative and a retired Early Childhood Educator, and his father is a retired firefighter.
In 1995, MacLean began his career in the public service as a Corrections Officer first at the Cumberland Correctional Facility in Amherst and then at the Cape Breton Correctional Facility in Sydney.
He became a leader in his Local of the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees’ Union (NSGEU/NUPGE) and soon was elected to the NSGEU Board of Directors, Provincial Executive, and became President in 2016. He was re-elected in May 2019.
At NSGEU, MacLean was a leader focused on solving problems and making the province a fairer, more equitable place to work and live. He was also a leader within the larger labour community. MacLean served as the 1st Vice President of the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour and the Executive Vice President of the National Executive Board for the National Union of Public & General Employees (NUPGE).
MacLean was elected as NUPGE Secretary-Treasurer at its Triennial Convention in June 2022.
MacLean was selected to attend the Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference Program in 2015 and is a graduate of the distinguished Harvard Trade Union program.
What’s something about you that would surprise others to know:
I’m the greatest cook I know, I may have missed my calling.
Organization name: NUPGE
Country/Region: Canada
What unique role do you or your organization play in the progressive movement in Canada?
We aren’t shy to stand up for what we believe in and to share with reasoning to bring others on board
What part of movement infrastructure are you interested in building in the next decade?
an organized front to take on the right and organize within communities
Share a book, article, podcast, or piece of art that captures where you want the movement to go.
I am favourable to a mobilizing model such as outlined in McAlevey’s “No Shortcuts”.
Mission & Mandate
Our mission as a national union is to:
– monitor provincial and federal labour laws and developments
– analyse restructuring of social programs and public services
– report on and contribute to legislation affecting the workplace
– give our members a national presence through participation in the Canadian Labour Congress and internationally through Public Services International
– develop and share successful bargaining strategies with our component unions
– contribute to a national framework of services and solidarity to benefit all Canadian workers
Who is your audience? Who are you trying to influence and engage?
Canada
One thing people might not know about your organization
We are a federation of unions, we do not own the bargaining rights of our components
A win you’re celebrating with your organization
A united front through policy changes and rebranding
A challenge you’re working through with your organization
National political recognition not unlike our components within the provinces