Convention Day 2 opened with a toast to public water led by Local 1431 and 227 members Jess Haley and Dwayne Bell.
CUPE NS President Nan McFadgen then delivered her report, highlighting local, national, and international work undertaken over the course of the past year. McFadgen also spoke to the importance of organizing against the rising tide of the far right and defending workers rights and public services against the attacks being mounted by politicians like Pierre Poilievre, whose preferred policies would spell the beginning of the end of worker power.
While we fight back at the bargaining table, McFadgen said we can also fight back in public, through municipal, provincial, and federal political processes, and encouraged members to get involved and consider running for public office at all levels. McFadgen also delivered a special thank you to retiring National Rep Carl Crouse, who is joining us for his final CUPE NS Convention.
Following the President’s report, delegates considered a number of Constitutional Amendments and Resolutions, including resolutions calling for advocating for the rights of temporary foreign workers, survivors of intimate partner violence, and workers living in poverty.
The morning was rounded out with a presentation from CUPE National International Solidarity Officer Kelti Cameron on CUPE’s new solidarity and action guide on supporting temporary foreign workers in our union.
Cameron outlined how the current TFW program prioritizes the needs of employers, leaving people who come to Canada for work under the program extremely vulnerable. Even when migrant workers are members of our bargaining units, employers often take advantage of their vulnerable immigration status and attempt to impose inferior working conditions, creating a two-tiered workforce.
After the lunch break, delegates celebrated Local 964 member Lisa deMolitor, the recipient of the Betty Jean Sutherland Sister of the Year award. deMolitor was recognized as a tireless champion for members over the course of her many years of service in various elected roles.
CUPE National President Mark Hancock spoke to the assembled delegates about how we have both power and responsibility at this moment: to fight against anti-worker attacks, organize non-union workers, strengthen public services and defend human rights and dignity in the face of white supremacy, hatred, fear, and division.
After Hancock’s remarks, delegates worked their way through another round of Constitutional Amendments and Resolutions, before hearing from Canadian Labour Congress Atlantic Regional Director Danielle Sampson, who spoke about upcoming opportunities to participate in political action training in advance of the next federal election.
Day 2’s convention floor activities closed with an Election Forum where members interested in running for open positions introduced themselves to delegates. Nominations will be open for 1st VP, Secretary-Treasurer, Communications Editor, 3-year Trustee, Recording Secretary (by-election, 1-year term), as well as for members to join the division’s Health and Safety, Education, Contracting out and Privatization, and Global Justice committees. There will also be elections for Northern and CB Area VPs, and a by-election for a 1-year term for the Central Area VP. Caucus elections will be conducted in caucus meetings. If you are interested in running for any of the open positions, it’s not too late — you don’t need to have spoken at the Election Forum to be nominated.
A reminder that Tuesday morning breakfast begins at 7:30, and there will be door prizes! We look forward to seeing delegates tomorrow morning.
