Category Archives: cupe

Strategic Directions day 2: Strengthening our plan | 2015 CUPE National Convention

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November 4, 2015

Connecting with members, building a more inclusive union, creating safe and healthy workplaces, and fighting privatization were front and centre in discussions about Strategic Directions on Wednesday morning.

Delegates resumed debate on CUPE’s blueprint for the next two years with discussions about the importance of health and safety activism.

CUPE 1623 vice-president Sharon Richer described the urgent need for action for health care workers, who face on-the-job assaults.

“Violence is not a part of our job. We all have a right to a safe, violence-free workplace,” said Richer.

Strategic Directions proposes that 2016 be a year focused on health and safety. CUPE 2669 member and national health and safety committee co-chair Dolores Douglas said the plan will re-energize CUPE and is a great way to connect with members, especially precarious workers.

Fighting privatization was another focus, with delegates calling for solidarity across sectors and targeted resources for locals under attack.

Barb Biley, CUPE 6179 and Hospital Employees’ Union member, told delegates how important it was to be able to quickly mobilize workers across sectors to fight contracting out at a seniors’ home. Building members’ capacity to fight back, and involving all workers in a region, is essential to keep winning these battles, she said.

Kirk Mercer of CUPE 951 and Randy Fennell of CUPE 728 both pointed to apprenticeships in the skilled trades as another way to defend public services against contracting out. They called for support to maintain and expand apprenticeship programs across the country.

Delegates discussed the need to keep building CUPE’s member-to-member organizing through the Fairness program, as well as the need to engage and connect with young and precarious members – building a truly inclusive and diverse union.

Source: Strategic Directions day two: Strengthening our plan | Canadian Union of Public Employees

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