Three Local Presidents awarded for their outstanding contributions to their union  

The Exemplary Service Award is an awards program by USJE to recognize local volunteer members who have provided outstanding contributions to the well-being of their Local or region. 

The following three USJE members have been recognized with an Exemplary Service Award in accordance with USJE Regulation 3:  

  • Thomas Lingard – Local President of USJE 70041 (CSC NHQ) 
  • Patricia Pichette – Local President of USJE 70093 (Public Safety) 
  • Jena Russell – Local President of USJE 70125 (Courts Administration Service) 

USJE wishes to extend our most sincere congratulations to these three members. Keep reading to learn more about their commitment to union principles. 

Thomas Lingard – Local President of USJE 70041 (CSC NHQ) 

Tom has been involved with USJE since beginning his career in the public service 15 years ago. He began his involvement by attending local AGMs and then continued his engagement as Local Treasurer. For the last 3 years, Tom has been the Local President, mentoring new union members, and normalizing being a union representative in his workplace. He brings a collaborative and rational spirit to his activism.  

Tom has served on multiple committees for both USJE and PSAC over the last decade, training his eye on how and why money is spent, which harkens back to his roots as Local Treasurer. He has a special interest in advocating for members and raising awareness of the vicarious trauma that his members have faced throughout their careers at CSC.  

During the historic strike of 2023, Tom was an ever-present resource at his strike line in Ottawa. He brought attention to, and helped organize the logistics around, the sanitary needs at the Tunney’s Pasture strike line, for which many were quite relieved.  

Patricia Pichette – Local President of USJE 70093 (Public Safety) 

Patricia has been involved with USJE for over five years, starting out as Local Vice-President at Public Safety Canada. Public Safety is one of the rare Locals that spans the country, with regional offices from BC to Newfoundland – so managing a Local on that scale is, in and of itself, exemplary! 

Patricia has now been Local President at Public Safety for approximately three years and has rebuilt the Local Executive from the ground up. Patricia has been a stabilizing force in the department, encouraging people to care about their workplaces and to stand up against injustice, despite a workplace culture that sometimes hinders this approach. At times, Patricia has found herself the lone voice of dissent on an issue at work, and she has stood resolutely by her convictions. 

Patricia has gained the respect of her colleagues and management. This is indeed how you build a good Local Executive; by forging a good reputation built on conviction and standing up for what’s right.  

Patricia’s leadership was on full display during the strike of 2023, when she brought her own grill from home to assist RVP JP Surette with providing hotdogs to striking members. Patricia incurred a hefty fine as a result, but never wavered from her post, all the while continuing her other duties as Strike Captain and principal contact for her 700+ Local members. 

Jena Russell – Local President of USJE 70125 (Courts Administration Service) 

Jena has been involved with USJE for over 10 years, starting as a Shop Steward, and then becoming Vice-President with the Courts Administration Service (CAS) Local. Jena has now been the Local President for 8 years. Local 70125 covers USJE members at the Supreme Court of Canada and at Federal Judicial Affairs, two wholly separate departments from CAS.  

Jena’s sense of commitment is exemplary. While pregnant, Jena obtained specific permission from PSAC to maintain her active union status while on a parental Leave Without Pay, so that she could continue to serve as Local President. She did not miss a single grievance hearing or a labour-management meeting during that period. 

Jena is one of the top three USJE representatives that defend our members with their staffing complaints, a very labour-intensive and time-consuming process. Jena has served on multiple committees for USJE and PSAC over the last decade. She is a true union activist and demonstrated particular leadership and focus during the historic strike of April 2023. 

Activists like Jena, Patricia and Thomas are the reasons the Exemplary Service Award was created, and their RVP and Local Executive teams are very proud to support each of them for this award.  

USJE salutes the efforts and leadership of these three individuals. They are each outstanding examples of true commitment to improving their workplaces, speaking truth to power, and leading the charge. 

Congratulations!