Labour activist Bernie Wood named 2025 Art Coulter Award recipient
United Way Winnipeg and Winnipeg District Labour Council recently hosted their annual Labour Community Awards, celebrating the incredible contributions of dedicated labour activists.
This year, the prestigious Art Coulter Labour Community Service Award was presented to Bernie Wood, a labour activist who has devoted his career to empowering workers and the community at large.
A passionate labour and community advocate, Bernie Wood currently serves as an international representative for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, while also serving as 2nd Vice President of the Winnipeg Labour Congress executive.
Throughout his career, Bernie has been a tireless supporter of United Way Winnipeg, volunteering his personal time serving on several committees, including our Cabinet and Labour Executive committees, while also volunteering as a member of the Community Unemployed Help Centre Board, a donor-supported agency.
Guided by shared labour values of fairness, equity and worker’s rights, Bernie served for many years as the Canadian Labour Congress Representative to Manitoba, bringing labour and the United Way together in ways both formal and informal.
A long-time champion of United Way Winnipeg, Bernie has ceaselessly volunteered his personal time and energy to helping support our mission and caring for others in the community, even if they’re just in need of a friend.
The Art Coulter Labour Community Service Award is presented to a Winnipeg trade unionist who has made an outstanding contribution to the Winnipeg community through volunteerism, education, activism and support for United Way Winnipeg.
Bernie Wood is a fixture in the Winnipeg labour community and is beloved by many for his willingness to go above and beyond in his support for the labour movement, and for his genuine care and support for people in Winnipeg.
Bernie Wood’s recognition with the Art Coulter Labour Award is a celebration of his unceasing devotion to the labour movement and his tireless advocacy for creating a fairer, more equitable community. United Way Winnipeg is proud to honour his achievements and looks forward to witnessing the future impacts of his committed leadership in labour advocacy.
Other award winners at the event included:
Bruce MacKay Labour Activist Award – Sandy Forcier, UFCW
Bruce MacKay Community Activist – David Hamalianen, UFCW
Labour Community Excellence – Marianne Hladun, VP, MFL
Labour Volunteer Service – Stephanie Mack, Executive Assistant, WLC
Art Coulter Award – Bernie Wood, International Representative, IAMAW
