Sunday Bulletin: 2019 Convention

Opening of the 56th Annual Division Convention

The 56th annual convention of CUPE Nova Scotia opened Sunday, May 26, 2019, at the Membertou Trade and Convention Centre with 252 delegates, staff and guests in attendance. The convention was officially called to order by CUPE NS President Nan McFadgen and members of the executive gave their reports; all were adopted and official business ended.

Delegates from locals across the province went up to the mic to give the names, in memorial, of members lost over the past year. Delegates then rose to observe a moment of silence.

CUPE 1028 won the Early Bird Registration prize draw for $200 worth of gift certificates. Unfortunately, the members of the local were unable to attend convention as their time off requests were denied by the employer. The prize will be delivered to the local.

In lieu of gifts for guest speakers, CUPE Nova Scotia will make a donation to Loaves & Fishes, a food bank and soup kitchen that serves over 44,000 meals annually in the Sydney area.

1st Credentials Report 

9 – CUPE NS Executive Board members (voting delegates) *
1 – CUPE National officer
2 – CUPE National Executive Board members
3 – CUPE Staff
16 – CUPE staff representatives
5 – Guest
0 – Observers
1 – Exhibitors
201 – Delegates (voting delegates) *
14 – Alternate delegates

*For a total of 210 voting delegates

New delegates orientation

Forty-three delegates attended the introduction to the purpose of convention, its procedures, traditions and possibilities to explain specific aspects of parliamentary procedure, including the voting process, tiling the doors, pro and con mics, points of privilege and points of order.

Get up and say your piece at the mic! First timers at the mic during convention get a free t-shirt. Be brave – this is all about solidarity and having a voice.

Have you heard of period poverty?

Every day in Nova Scotia, there are women and girls who are struggling to afford the basic needs of period products. The CUPE Nova Scotia Women’s Committee is collecting feminine hygiene products during convention, to distribute to organizations that will offer them to women in need. Please support our efforts by bringing these items to convention.

Land acknowledgement

We acknowledge the unceded Mi’kmaq territory on which we currently stand and wish to thank the Mi’kmaq people for allowing us to convene to discuss our business.

To recognize the land is an expression of gratitude and appreciation to those whose territory you reside on, and a way of honouring the Indigenous people who have been living and working on the land from time immemorial. It is important to understand the long-standing history that has brought you to reside on the land, and to seek to understand your place within that history. Land acknowledgements do not exist in a past tense, or historical context: colonialism is a current ongoing process, and we need to build our mindfulness of our present participation. It is also worth noting that acknowledging the land is Indigenous protocol.