TORONTO, ONTARIO, SEPTEMBER 7, 2012 — Bill Nicholls, the current Business Manager/Secretary-Treasurer of IUPAT District Council 46 and President of the Ontario Council of Painters, has accepted a new position as the Special Assistant to the IUPAT General President, James Williams. In his new role, Nicholls will be advising District Councils across the US and Canada and taking on other leadership responsibilities as deemed by Williams.
“I must say, I have enjoyed an exciting time in Ontario with the IUPAT. Since arriving in Toronto in 1987 from Local Union 1151/1936, Saint John, N.B. as the Business Manager, and becoming an organizer in DC 46, I have witnessed enormous changes, growth, and success of our organization,” states Nicholls in his personal address to District Council 46. “I have worked with some fantastic people in and out of the IUPAT, but what has really been my pride and joy is the membership. It has been great meeting and representing the members in Ontario and I cannot extend enough gratitude and appreciation for all the support I have been given.”
In his 17 year tenure as Business Manager, Nicholls has seen significant changes in the organization, including a 95% increase in membership to become the 4th largest District Council in the IUPAT. Other accomplishments include increased wages, benefits, and pensions for members raising their standards, forming and building state of the art training facilities for trades in apprenticeship, health and safety, and skills training; and winning the General President’s Award for Organizing at the past two General Conventions among others. Nicholls replacement will be Joseph Russo, who was elected by Union delegates in early September 2012. Mr. Russo has been with the Painters Union for the past 18 years.
For more information on Bill Nicholls transition or IUPAT District Council 46, please call 1-800-668-1823 or visit https://www.iupat.on.ca.
