Sisters, Brothers,
Sister Mariam Abou-Dib has been appointed Teamsters Canada director of government affairs effective September 1, 2020. She will be responsible for working with elected officials and public servants to advance the interests of Teamster members. Our current lobbyist, Brother Phil Benson, will be retiring after a distinguished 18-year career in service to our union.
Sister Abou-Dib was the chief of staff and political assistant to the president of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) and has been active in the labour movement for over twenty years. During her tenure at the CLC, she oversaw communications and public relations; women’s and human rights; international solidarity; social and economic policy; as well as provided counsel and assistance to the president of the CLC on governmental affairs.
Before joining the CLC, she worked at the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), where she oversaw the work of the union on human rights, health and safety, communications, and political campaigns. Prior to her employment in the labour movement, she was an executive member and worked for the National Action Committee on the Status of Women (NAC). She has also held local leadership positions with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE).
She is fluent in English, French and Arabic.
I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the outstanding work of our outgoing lobbyist, Brother Phil Benson, during his time with us. Brother Benson has made tremendous contributions over his career on issues ranging from trade, employment insurance, labour standards, transportation safety and pandemic response. He made our team and our union stronger, and has improved the lives of countless working class Canadians.
Phil, enjoy your well-deserved retirement! You will always be one of us. And Mariam, welcome to the team.
In solidarity,
François Laporte
President of Teamsters Canada
Vice President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters
