I was 19 and I just didn’t want to work on an assembly line forever. So I started to get deeply involved in the union work, which means, giving back to our communities, giving back to our food banks, joining our women’s committee, our pride committees, all kinds of things. And it just inspired me to want to keep going.”
Alex McCoy
Unifor Local 88 member and winner of this year’s Labour Appreciation Award
Since 1978, United Way and the Canadian Labour Congress have partnered to help ensure workers and working families have the support they need to succeed. Here in Elgin Middlesex, that partnership takes shape through Labour United — a network of union members, labour councils, and workplace advocates who show up for their community every day.
Each year, the Labour Appreciation Awards recognize the individuals within that community who go above and beyond for social justice and solidarity. This year, we presented awards to two exceptional recipients who embody what Labour United stands for: Alexandra (Alex) McCoy and Ryan Aarts.
Labour Appreciation Awards are presented to a Local Union member who takes action, inspires others to unite, and whose efforts offer hope, optimism, and kindness. Alex McCoy of Unifor Local 88 does just that.
She told us how she got started with her decades of involvement: “I was 19 and I just didn’t want to work on an assembly line forever. So I started to get deeply involved in the union work, which means, giving back to our communities, giving back to our food banks, joining our women’s committee, our pride committees, all kinds of things. And it just inspired me to want to keep going.”
Faith Morrison, who worked with Alex while she was a sponsored employee at United Way Elgin Middlesex said, “I have seen firsthand how she dives into community initiatives, bringing her own passion and personal “why” to everything she does… Alex has been a voice for change, someone who encourages and supports others through difficult times. She celebrates with people, she laughs with them, and when times are hard, she is there to stand beside them.”
This year’s winner of the Jim MacKinnon Community Builder Award was Ryan Aarts of J-AAR. Under Ryan’s leadership, the construction company has made a concerted effort to give back to the community year after year. This award recognizes local activists connected to the building trades who go out of their way to make our community a place of opportunity and hope for everyone.
Ryan told us that while their company is literally helping build the infrastructure of our city, he believes they have an obligation to support the community that lives here through fundraising. “I’m just honored to be able to lead such a great team that steps up. We have over 500 employees, which is so powerful in terms of being able to engage positively and help change the culture of our community. Sometimes people focus too much on the problems and not on the solutions.”
Brandon MacKinnon of LiUNA Local 1059 helped celebrate the presentation of Ryan’s award. “Ryan understands that building strong communities starts with supporting the people who build them. Through his ongoing commitment to union labour, charitable giving, and community partnerships, he has demonstrated that business success and community leadership go hand in hand. We are proud to recognize him with the 2026 Jim MacKinnon Community Builder Award.”
Those awards also carry a purpose beyond recognition. The Labour Appreciation Awards have long been connected to United Way’s New Beginnings Loan Fund, which provides interest-free micro-loans of up to $500 to women leaving abusive relationships. Demand for the Fund consistently outpaces what’s available — and the generosity of our Labour community helps keep it going. Over the past year, the Fund helped 41 women and 49 children find safety and begin rebuilding their lives.
“Our house was mean. This one is kind… I feel safe now.”
Congratulations to Alex and Ryan, and thank you to everyone in the Labour community whose commitment makes this work possible. If you’d like to support the New Beginnings Loan Fund, please contact us at uw@unitedwayem.ca
Topics : Labour
