CUPE leader Delbridge dies

Winnipeg union leader Gord Delbridge has died.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 500 announced Tuesday its president had died Monday night after a sudden medical incident. He was 55 years old.

His colleagues described him as a friend, mentor and “staunch trade unionist” who fought against the privatization of public work.

“Winnipeg meant everything to Gord, and I really do feel like Gord should mean everything to Winnipeg,” CUPE Manitoba president Gina McKay told reporters Tuesday as she wiped away tears.

“That’s something we’ve talked about here … Gord has been so very important, not only to the City of Winnipeg and its workers, but to all of us in the CUPE family.”

Delbridge was elected president of the City of Winnipeg’s largest union in 2015. He represented 5,000 city staff, including in public works, water and waste, 311, animal services, and at pools and libraries. He had worked in city arenas before being elected president.

Mayor Scott Gillingham said he remembers Delbridge as a “fellow St. James guy” whom he “genuinely liked and deeply respected.”

“Even when we disagreed, Gord and I could pick up the phone and have an honest, respectful conversation,” Gillingham said in a statement Tuesday.

“We understood that we had different roles to play, but we shared a desire to make Winnipeg a better place … His passing is a tremendous loss for CUPE, Manitoba’s labour movement and our entire city. I will miss him.”

The union is currently bargaining a new contract with the City of Winnipeg. McKay said CUPE 500 first vice-president Patrick Troughton will “step in until further plans are made with the local.”

CUPE 500 has been without a labour agreement since Feb. 28, 2025. In June, the city and the union agreed to take bargaining to an arbitrator if negotiations stall.

Public works chairperson Coun. Janice Lukes said Delbridge always took time to explain the union’s perspective to her, even if they didn’t share the same views.

“It’s a shock. And Gord, even though we weren’t in the same ideological camps, we had great conversations,” Lukes (Waverley West) said.

“I know he shared his perspectives, and it really helped me understand his perspective, and I shared my perspectives on issues. He was a hard worker.”

They also bonded over their loves of the outdoors, she said.

“He played hard, he partied hard — I know he did, and I know he had a good time, because we’d talk about ATV’ing out in the bush.”

Delbridge served on CUPE’s national executive board as a regional vice-president.

“Gord’s tireless advocacy for the health and safety of workers and community members who rely on public services has led to tremendous improvements for both workers and the public,” said Mark Hancock, CUPE’s national president.

Coun. Brian Mayes, who was a labour lawyer, said Delbridge had the unique ability to let go of grudges and arguments quickly, often in the pursuit of fighting for the people he represented.

“He cared about his members. He really did fight to see some of these services that we’ve privatized brought back in-house,” Mayes (St. Vital) said.

“I’m glad he lived to see (city council) have a vote to bring compost collection in-house.”

Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union president Kyle Ross said he was “saddened” to learn about Delbridge’s death and offered condolences to his family and friends.

malak.abas@freepress.mb.ca