Bob Waghorn Interview: A Life in CUPE Promoting Worker Rights and Safety

Bob Waghorn grew up in North Vancouver. In this interview, he shares memories of accompanying his Teamster father, the last milkman in Vancouver to deliver milk by horse. He trained as a mechanic and his early jobs were as a Teamster truck driver. Soon after moving to Prince George in 1974, he became a member of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 399 when he began working for the city as a tandem garbage truck driver.

He discusses the changing nature of his local’s work over time and the kinds of work members did such as servicing lot construction and snow removal. The positions Bob held in CUPE include being a bargaining committee representative, a member of CUPE National’s health and safety committee, and the president of the Northern Area District Council of CUPE BC. During the interview, Bob shares his views on:

• The importance of city workers becoming involved in municipal elections
• The importance of labour history (including his thoughts about Operation Solidarity)
• Young workers
• Commemorating workers injured or killed on the job
• The need for workplace safety regulations
• The creation of the Workers’ Compensation Board
• The role of unions in advocating for worker rights and benefits