The second day of CUPE Nova Scotia’s 62nd annual convention opened with a smudging ceremony led by Ty Loppie, Local 1082 member and member of the CUPE Atlantic Maritimes Indigenous Council.
On the convention floor, proceedings started with a toast to public water, led by Local 227 workers.
The morning brought remarks from CUPE Nova Scotia Division President Alan Linkletter, who took delegates on a whirlwind tour through his first year in the role, celebrating our successful charter challenge which found former Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil’s draconian anti-labour legislation Bill 148 to be unconstitutional.
Delegates also heard from CUPE National President Mark Hancock, who encouraged delegates to take heart in how our provincial struggles fit into the national picture.
Midday, delegates took to the streets to demonstrate outside of Premier Tim Houston’s speech to the Halifax Chamber of Commerce at the Nova Centre. Hundreds of delegates and CUPE Long-Term Care workers flooded Argyle Street, where we were joined by LTC and DCS Coordinating Committee Chair Christa Sweeney, CUPE’s National Officers, NS NDP leader Claudia Chender, Melissa Marsman, President of the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour, NSGEU President Sandra Mullen, PSAC Regional Executive VP Chris Di Liberatore, and other allies.
The afternoon brought a meeting of the CUPE NS Diversity caucus, remarks from CUPE National Secretary-Treasurer Candace Rennick, and the presentation of the Betty Jean Sutherland Sister of the Year Award to Local 4745 longtime President Margot Nickerson, and an opportunity for those members standing for elected office to announce their candidacy to the delegates.
Finally, at this evening’s banquet, the Steward of the Year award was given to 5047 Lead Steward Sherri Leblanc.
