Category Archives: cupe national

Health and safety forum discusses strategies for dealing with psychological injury | 2015 CUPE National Convention

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November 4, 2015

Yesterday evening, at the health and safety forum, CUPE members heard two experts, exchanged ideas and received tools and advice for a better understanding of the causes of stress, its effects on our health, and ways to prevent it.

Julie Kaisla, from the Canadian Mental Health Association’s British Colombia Division talked about the different psychological wounds caused by excessively heavy workloads, as well as some general strategies for reducing the effects of stress.

The participants also heard Cassie Loveless, Paramedic/Emergency Medical Dispatcher at BC Ambulance Service. Ms. Loveless told members about her personal experience with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the ways that she deals with this “silent” illness. She explained various strategies to prevent the escalation of psychological injury.

CUPE health and safety advisors described the tools and resources available to members to help them understand and prevent psychological injury. A new violence prevention kit produced by the CUPE Health and Safety Service was also launched at the forum. In addition to useful information on the prevention of violence and harassment in the workplace, the kit contains tools such as a form letter to the employer for reporting violent incidents, an information sheet on working alone, a bargaining guide on domestic violence in the workplace, and various other documents.

In accordance with the mandate conferred by delegates to the 2013 CUPE National Convention, the Union Development Department, in conjunction with the Health and Safety Service, created a new series of courses on health and safety, which was launched at the forum.

The forum ended with a Q & A session with a moderator and a round table on the prevention of stress in the workplace.

Source: Health and safety forum discusses strategies for dealing with psychological injury | Canadian Union of Public Employees

Yussuff calls on CUPE members to hold Liberals to account | Canadian Union of Public Employees

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The next four years present an opportunity to build the Canada we want, Canadian Labour Congress President Hassan Yussuff told CUPE Convention delegates.

“The work you did and our movement did across the country was absolutely stellar,” he said. “We had to defeat the Stephen Harper government and it was such a pleasure to watch his sorry ass walk off that stage.”

While the outcome of the election may not have been ideal, it did end a decade of rule by a prime minister who used racism and xenophobia as an election tool, who attacked unions and who moved human rights backward a decade.

In the next four years, we must hold Justin Trudeau to his promises to repeal Bill C-377, to begin an inquiry into missing and murdered aboriginal women and to restore card-check certification. We must convince Trudeau to repeal, not revise Bill C-51, he said, adding that we must prioritize electoral reform so everyone’s voice counts and we don’t end up with huge majority governments representing a minority of Canadians.

He closed by calling on CUPE members to leave Convention united and stronger.

“The enemies of this organization are not in this room,” he said. “When you leave, leave as 600,000-plus united, and tell the employers: You attack one of us, you attack all of us.”

Source: Yussuff calls on CUPE members to hold Liberals to account | Canadian Union of Public Employees

Tribute to Paul Moist | Canadian Union of Public Employees

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Convention delegates paid tribute to Paul Moist, recognizing his 40 years as a CUPE member, activist, staffer and leader.

Charles Fleury, national secretary-treasurer, led off the tribute by highlighting Moist’s many roles with CUPE over the past four decades and the time he has dedicated.

“I want to thank Paul’s family for all the years you have shared him with us,” said Fleury. “During his 40 years of Paul’s work life he has always been committed to those less fortunate.”

Video tributes included long time friend and executive assistant Pam Beattie. “Paul Moist is first and foremost a worker. A leader yes, but a leader of workers,” said Beattie. “Paul, your dream of a better world for all workers will be realized.”

Maude Barlow, national chair of the Council of Canadians also sent a video message, reflecting on her time working with Paul over the last decades. “You have a wealth of knowledge, but also a huge heart. Putting the heart and head together is what made you such a great leader,” said Barlow.

Stephen Lewis praised Moist’s dedication as a life-long member of the NDP with another video message. “He has been a wonderful supporter of the New Democratic Party; always taking a principled stand in supporting the party, and bringing CUPE into the party sphere,” said Lewis.

In the convention hall, Barry O’Neil, former president of CUPE BC, praised Moist’s compassion for workers.

“Anyone who has seen his schedule, knows his dedication to being the voice of Canadian workers,” said O’Neil.

“On behalf of my family to all delegates, thank you for taking such great care of our dad, but now is our time to take him back,” said Kelly Moist, president of CUPE Manitoba, speaking on behalf of the Moist family.

Delegates added their tributes to Moist from the floor. Many thanked Moist for his leadership, particularly on defending pensions and being a strong voice for all workers in Canada and around the world. 

Source: Tribute to Paul Moist | Canadian Union of Public Employees

Mark Hancock Elected National President Of CUPE

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Mark Hancock has been elected the national president of the Canadian Union of Public Employees. Over 2,100 delegates, representing CUPE locals from across the country, elected Hancock to lead Canada’s largest union. The vote took place at CUPE’s 27th biennial national convention taking place this week in Vancouver.

“I will do my best each and every day for all our members across this great country. I am so honoured to be your national president,” said Hancock to convention delegates, after being elected. Hancock, who has been president of CUPE’s British Columbia division since 2013, won on the first ballot, defeating Fred Hahn, currently president of CUPE Ontario.

Source: Mark Hancock elected national president of CUPE

Saunders: Our unions will never give up – 2015 Cupe National Convention November 3, 2015 Summary

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Saunders: Our unions will NEVER give up

AFCSME President Lee Saunders inspired delegates today with a stirring speech about the labour movement’s durability despite the ongoing and relentless attacks against it.

Challenging CUPE members to stand together against attacks on working people and to protect our past victories, Saunders said that we are in the fight of our lives.

The Friedrichs case currently before U.S. courts attacks our ability to speak up for working people, he said. On the other hand, our members and our unions will still be around long after the current politicians are gone.

“We hung in, we fought back, we organized and we won our rights back,” said Saunders, adding that we must collectively speak out for fairness, equity, wages, retirement security and vital public services.

Brother Saunders also paid tribute to Paul Moist, thanking CUPE’s National President for his outspoken leadership in fighting for economic justice and fairness for all working families.

Strategic Directions: Strengthening our union

The first round of Strategic Directions discussions focused on CUPE’s plan to strengthen and expand our membership.

Delegates spoke about the importance of organizing precarious workers, including young workers, and building a more diverse union. Bargaining strong and inclusive contracts is key to this strategy.

Delegates called for increased efforts to protect public services as another way to fight for good, full-time, secure jobs.

Time for a global labour agenda: Pavanelli

With union rights constantly under attack the time has come for a united global labour front to resist neoliberalism, said Rosa Pavanelli, general secretary of Public Services International (PSI).

Workers are under more pressure than ever to coordinate their efforts, she said.

“We are the only barrier to complete profit for the corporate sector and the limits they want to put on us,” said Pavanelli, noting that PSI is fighting hard at the International Labour Organization for the right to organize and the right to strike.

Highlighting strategies to deal with mental injuries

Attendees at the Health and Safety Forum shared stories and strategies on how to understand and prevent mental injuries in the workplace. Speakers urged delegates to recognize increasing workloads are leading to rising stress levels. They shared tactics on coping with mental injuries such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), caused by critical incidents.

Over the last two years a new Health and Safety Learning Series was developed and launched at last night’s forum.

CUPE’s Health and Safety representatives also introduced a new violence prevention kit containing tools and tips for members in the workplace.

Katie McGovern wins Grace Hartman Award

Katie McGovern, a union and community activist from CUPE 4400, is the winner of this year’s Grace Hartman Award for her ground breaking labour and community campaigns.

McGovern was unable to attend convention but urged delegates through a written statement to “take joy in the struggle” and advance “an agenda for all of us.” Yolanda McLean, CUPE 4400, accepted the award on her behalf.

Elizabeth Paris receives Ed Blackman Award

Recipient of the inaugural Ed Blackman Award, Elizabeth Paris of CUPE 2330, is a true example of how CUPE activists affect positive change in the community. Her efforts to fight for racial and social justice are an inspiration to all members.

“The CUPE rainbow is an unbreakable force,” said Paris.

TONIGHT

  • 8 p.m.   Global Justice Forum, West Ballroom C & D

THURSDAY

  • 12 p.m.   Rally: Canada is Ready for The Leap, Jack Poole Plaza outside the Convention Centre.

Source: Saunders: Our unions will never give up – Convention Bulletin