Saturday, March 1, 2025

Meet Local 920 President Cordell Deck

We recently sat down with Cordell and asked him about his experiences as a volunteer firefighter and local union president

Can you share a bit about your background and what led you to the fire service?

I joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1983 and served until 2023. In July 1997, I was posted to 8 Wing Trenton and bought a house across from the south Murray Fire Station. I was very interested in joining the volunteer fire service and knew someone who worked at the fire hall. I lived right across from it.

You mention living across from the fire hall when you first joined. How did that play a role in your recruitment?

I’d like to think I was brought on because of my previous firefighting experience in the Royal Canadian Navy, where marine engineering technicians are the ship’s firefighters. But in reality, I think they brought me on because of the convenience of my location—right across the street from the fire hall!

Can you describe the impact of Ontario’s municipal amalgamation on the fire department?

When Ontario amalgamated several municipalities in 1999/2000, Murray Township, along with Sidney Township and Frankford, was annexed by Trenton to form the new city of Quinte West. With a new city came new policies, new managers, and a lot of growing pains. There was a lot of turmoil and distrust during that time, which led the newly created Quinte West Fire Department to hold a vote to unionize. They chose CLAC to represent them.

Initially, you were against unionizing. What changed your perspective on CLAC and Local 920?

At the time, my fire station was very much against unionizing, and they followed my lead in voting against it. However, the majority of the volunteer fire halls in Quinte West voted in favour, and Local 920 was born.

Over time, I came to understand that CLAC was a different kind of union. They didn’t dictate policy, weren’t militant, and most importantly, they negotiated using a win-win tactic. That appealed to me because my experience as a supervisor in the CAF had taught me that this approach leads to a productive, high-functioning organization with high morale and a respectful, congenial relationship with management. It’s much harder to distrust or dislike someone when you respect them, and that respect is mutual.

What motivated you to step into the role of Local 920 president?

I became the president of Local 920 a little over a year ago because I wanted to foster a strong, respectful relationship between labour and management. My time in the CAF developed my leadership traits and taught me how to use them to achieve organizational goals while keeping people’s personal needs in mind. Our philosophy was always “Mission First, Family Always,” and I still live by that today.

The thing I detest most is injustice. If I had to pinpoint the driving force behind accepting the nomination to be president, it would be to protect my brothers and sisters in the fire service from unjust treatment.

In your time as president, what has been one of your most memorable moments?

One of my proudest moments as president was addressing the firefighters of the Municipality of Nappanee during an information session when they were considering joining Local 920. I was upfront and direct, as I always am, and it gladdened my heart when I learned they overwhelmingly voted to join CLAC and Local 920.

What do you believe is the most important trait for a local union president?

I think the most important trait is the ability to shrug off intimidation, no matter where it comes from. You have to know when a fight is just and, regardless of the personal cost, never give up until the mission is achieved. My job is to fight for my brothers and sisters—nothing gets in the way of that.

You describe your work as bringing you peace and a sense of belonging. What drives that feeling?

I have a very strong sense of duty. I’m not sure if it’s something I was born with or if it developed over my 40-year career in the CAF and my 30-year career as a volunteer firefighter. But I know that being part of something bigger than myself gives me purpose. It’s about being part of a team, knowing with absolute certainty that I have my brothers’ and sisters’ backs, and they have mine. At the end of the day, we all know we made a difference.

What message would you like to share with the members of Local 920?

I am proud to serve as your president, and I will always stand up for what is right. We are stronger together, and I will continue to work to ensure fairness, respect, and justice for all of us in the fire service.

Meet Local 920 President Cordell Deck

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