Stephan Burnett
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Apr 07/04) - The Northern Territories Federation of Labour said farewell to its favourite son on Saturday.

Bob Haywood made his final speeches to almost 60 assembled delegates at the annual general meeting of the Federation, held at the Elks Hall.

Laura Haywood speaks about her father Bob Haywood, past president of the Northern Territories Federation of Labour, during the Annual General meeting held Saturday. - Stephan Burnett/NNSL photo

Haywood spoke of his last four years with the Federation of Labour.

One of the highlights was the week-long Kids Labour Camp the organization held in 2003.

"They set up their own elections and within a day they went on strike," said Haywood.

"They had a bargaining committee that got screwed by the mean employer and they got mad at their bargaining team and their executive, and well, we all know how that goes. To top off the week they held a sweat shop fashion show which some of the parents attended," said Haywood, prompting laughter from the crowd.

When Haywood was elected as Federation president, the finances were in bad shape and "we were locked into a five-year lease on a property that has been an albatross around our neck," he said.

But now, finances are in a healthy state and a new space for the Federation has been lined up, with rent half of what it is currently paying, said Haywood.

Mary Lou Cherwaty was elected as the new president.

She was out of town and unable to be reached prior to press time.