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 … Read more…

This letter was originally published on the Long Term and Community Care website. As Chair of CUPE’s Long Term and Community Care Committee, I am accountable to 5,500 long term care workers across Nova Scotia. I am acutely aware that the decisions we make at the bargaining table impact not only the 3,600 workers on strike across Nova Scotia, but also the thousands of union members and non-unionized workers who will inevitably benefit from anything we achieve at the table. There exists an understanding in collective bargaining that parties do not bargain in the press. That said, I believe engaging in public debate and discussion about the issues impacted by negotiations is important. We are public workers. We serve the public. Our wages are paid from public funds. Being open and honest with the communities we serve is something we’re in favour of. However, spreading misinformation, confusing the public, and … Read more…