On April 10, 2026 we lost the most boisterously dedicated servant of the working class this country has ever seen. Bob was an absolute force and he used his superpowers tirelessly decade after decade to further his “personal” agendas of labour rights, women’s rights, occupational health and safety, and above all else, solidarity!
As a self-proclaimed “Communist Jew from the Bronx”, Bob has a 96 page mainly redacted FBI file that was the inevitable outcome of his union activities during the McCarthy era. That’s all we’re going say about that.
Countless university students experienced Bob’s flair for dramatic instruction. It wasn’t easy to trick accounting majors into having an interest in workplace rights topics, but he took on the challenge with grace and enthusiasm. And wouldn’t you know it, every single student passed!
Bob didn’t only spend his life lobbying for improvements, he got involved and made the improvements. Occupational health and safety legislation across Canada began with Bob. The 3 Worker Rights? Bob. The 3 Cs? Bob. Ban Asbestos Saskatchewan, and later Ban Asbestos Canada? Bob. Women Against Standing? Bob. WHMIS? Bob. Lobbying for the rights of Costa Rican banana workers? Bob. Dozens and dozens of successful initiatives are a direct result of his lifetime of effort.
We will all be forever grateful for having known this remarkable man who has done more for workers than anyone in the history of this country.
In Bob’s memory, please look up your workplace Occupational Health and Safety Committee and introduce yourself and thank them for their important work. Then when you get home, load up Pete Seeger on Spotify and play Solidarity Forever loud enough for the neighbours to hear!
-- Angela Hosni
Angela had the privilege of working with Bob for 13 years and has been with SEIU-West for over 16 years.