Today’s Convention proceedings started out with a presentation from the Political Action Committee. Members discussed building momentum to bring NS Power back under public ownership, building CUPE district councils across the province, and getting involved in the political process.
Following the discussion, delegates discussed some constitutional resolutions.
We were then joined by David Etherington, Communications Coordinator at the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour, who spoke about the importance of electing working people to the halls of power, and made a fundraising pitch for CUPE member Trevor Poirier, president of Local 2031 Foyer Père Fiset and NSNDP candidate in Chéticamp-Margarees-Pleasant Bay. Click here to make a donation to Trevor’s campaign — you’ll receive a tax credit worth 75% of any amount you donate under $1000.
After lunch, delegates welcomed NSNDP leader Claudia Chender to Convention Floor. She said that Tim Houston’s PC government seems to have lost sight of who really makes this province run: workers like us. NSNDP MLAs have been standing with LTC members currently on strike and will continue to insist that government negotiate a fair agreement that lifts workers up rather than driving them away.
The day continued with more fulsome discussion and debate over several resolutions, including one to support CUPE NS continuing to fight against environmental racism in Nova Scotia.
CUPE Atlantic Regional Director Tracey Pinder took the stage to share greetings with delegates, before passing the floor over to the Human Rights Committee, who hosted an informative panel discussion featuring Stacey Gomez (co-founder and Executive Director of the Centre for Migrant Worker Rights Nova Scotia), Russel Brooks (Anti-Black Racism program Coordinator with Halifax Regional Municipality in the African Nova Scotian Affairs Integration Office).
The day concluded with the Young Workers Caucus. More on that tomorrow!