Friday, October 9, 2009
NDP leader Jack Layton spoke to convention on its closing day. "This is not the time to retreat from public services, this is the time for public services," he told delegates..
Au Revoir, a la prochaine: Vancouver 2011
Started this morning with song to draw the delegates onto the convention floor.
Jack Layton, Leader of the NDP delivered the keynote speech of the day. Jack preaches to the choir about a National Child Care program and protection for pensions when CEOs bankrupt companies. Jack, "people don't want an election, they want help for the unemployed. So that's what we're doing."
A thanks to CUPE National staff for their hard work and preparation for their planning, logistics and work during Convention.
Strategic directions revised documents were discussed. See CUPE Convention blog for all resolutions and constitutional amendments.
Quorum as usual on the last day of convention is in question. As of 11:00 a.m. there was quorum with about 200 delegates to spare. After lunch should put the proof in the pudding.
A few resolutions were debated and voted on - one (#269) shows some similarities to Resolution C24 in which CUPE National will "Coordinate and work with Provincial, service divisions and regional offices of the National Union to provide full coordination and access to list and contact info of local union executives". It was debated as a way to connect and contact locals - vs. violation of privacy. but the motion did pass.
Just before the lunch break it was announced that we no longer have quorum. One member told the convention that there is still business to be done and for members to return at 2 p.m. - but the president bid all farewell - and told members that this is the end of the convention. A big thanks to vounteers and committees and members was passed along as it was also announced that we passed the most Amendments and Resolutions of any recent convention. He also praised members for open debate and true democracy - principles on which unions were built.
"See you in Vancouver 2011" we heard Paul Moist say - as the out-of-tune version of "Solidarity Forever" in French, sung by a member who only speaks English faded into the background, at the halls of the Palais des Congres de Montreal.
Lorna, Jo, Deanne, and Daniel signing out - see you back in Vancouver - much sooner than 2011.
Donations of all CUPE members' extra shampoo, soap and other toiletries from their hotel rooms were collected at the conference and donated to a local Montreal women's shelter.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Vice-President, Daniel Rohloff with his new union made shopping bag acquired at the National Conference. Ironically his Grandmother-in-law was a riveter in Lulu Island during the 2nd world war.
Un autre jour en la belle ville de Montreal
et aussi la resolution pour resolution no 24.
Regarding Resolution C24 - it's debate & decision today.
We've created a separate page to address it specifically:
Resolution No. C24 >> The Debate
Ken Georgetti, Canadian Labour Congress Speech
Ken Georgetti gave a rousing speech on solidarity and the need to grow strength in the unions, the economy being run by corporate greed and criminals - the likes of Conrad Black. It was not the bus drivers, the steel workers or the health care workers that drove Canada into this recession. The country and business is run by incompetent CEOs demanding huge salaries and stock concessions that have driven companies into bankruptcy and precipitated this economic crisis. The governments in the provinces and whole country support these business practices and avail themselves of the same high salaries and perks.
CUPE needs to work on targeting ridings and changing the face of Canadian politics. Our members are being hammered at bargaining tables throughout the country. They are being forced to take 0 percent wage increases, give back benefits, and make huge concessions that have taken years of fighting through negotiations for fair wages and benefits, so that corporate CEOs and government legislators can continue to drive their Porsches and vacations on the Mediterranean and Caribbean.
The media are not blaming the corporate leaders for their greed and incompetence. Instead they blame workers and unions' unreasonable demands for the woes of the economy.
CUPE National believes that it is time to propose doubling the CPP. It is time to change government's attitude that your retirement is up to you the individual to manage. This is not their economy it is ours and shouldn't be based on greed but on need. Let's take them on and make a difference.
Continuation & discussion on Strategic Directions Program for CUPE: 2009-2011 Taking Action.
Discussion on how CUPE National should: conduct Provincial campaigns to keep services in the public sector and on anti-privatization; equality lens to CUPE activities and employment equity; address Aboriginal issues i.e. workforce partnership agreements, access to potable water supplies, and health care in Aboriginal communities; HIV/AIDS.
Speakers also spoke on International climate change and the opportunity to take part in the discussion in Copenhagen December 2009. Grannies and young workers should speak out on Oct 24th for the International day on climate change.
Doug Sprenger spoke against the section on International Solidarity stating that it did not go far enough. The 2007 Strategic paper had 3 pages on international solidarity. The committee needs to continue their work that was begun since 2007 and talk about the issues so that progress is not lost.
Speaker on lobbying against Public Private Partnerships (P3s) projects on water services in BC. Asked that members stand up to say poo poo poo on pe pe pe (P3s en francais).
Health and Safety gains need National language and cannot be ignored or taken for granted. CUPE needs to encourage bargaining of language to ensure that health and safety programs are available for ALL workers.
Throughout the morning the lines at the microphone got longer and longer with delegates asking for support of their favourite agenda items within the strategic plan.
Initially 1 hour was to be dedicated to allow members to voice their views a few hours later we moved on to the next agenda item leaving line-ups at the microphone 8 feet deep.
Elections
11:00 doors tiled for vote.
14 Regional Vice-Presidents acclaimed. Danny Cavanagh (NS), Wayne Lucas (NL), Michael Hurley, Candace Rennick (ON), Charles Fleury, Natalie Stringer (QC), Milo Murray (PEI), Sandy Harding (NB), Mark Hancock, Ken Robinson (BC), Dennis Mol (AB), Judy Henley (SK), Mike Davidson (MB), Henri Giroux (ON).
Another delegate asked for financial support for a union on strike, National assured that support was there for the local. Brother Moist encouraged other locals to be on the picket line to show their support.
Diversity Vice-Presidents acclaimed. Yolanda McLean, Workers of Colour, Brian Barron, Aboriginal Workers.
Trustee acclaimed. Colin Pawson for 6-year term.
New CUPE National Executive Committee sworn in by brother Bob White. Bob spoke on his enjoyment of attending rank and file meetings and his message was to keep up the fight of solidarity.
Constitution Committee
See the CUPE Convention blog for updates on all Resolutions and Constitutional amendments
and a special page on CUPE 4627 web site on Resolution C24.
Our president's and vice-president's individual approaches to dealing with some of the many speakers on the convention floor.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Chief Shop Steward, Jo Hansen and President Lorna Brown take in Wednesday at the conference.
Feelin' Blue.
Continuation & discussion on Strategic Directions Program for CUPE: 2009-2011 Taking Action. Discussion on the specific strategic direction of collective bargaining.
It was a very negative outlook across the country. A lot of reports from delegates -- specifically in NB and AB who have come across huge roadblocks and resistance from Provincial governments. Many governments using the global recession as an excuse to cut back any gains and to take away bargaining rights, pensions and wages. Many spoke of 0% wage gains on top of rollbacks from their employer.
One delegate spoke of how the private sector is much different and far more under attack than CUPE members in the public sector. Her local waited and bargained until they got a satisfactory contract. Specifically one item that stood out was successfully negotiating no increases in executive compensation as part of their CA.
Delegate report: 2084 delegates from 764 locals.
Elections
Nancy Riche schooled us all in running an election. The doors were tiled. "tile da dooors!"
President. Paul Moist was acclaimed as CUPE National President for a two-year term. Introduced his family and thanked them for the support in allowing him to do what he does and the implications that has on his families. Recognized and thanked the staff that assist him at CUPE National. Paul, "My worst day on the job is better than the best day on the job of a lot of CUPE members. No president should ever forget that."
Paul Moist and Claude Genereux were re-elected by acclamation today as CUPE's two national officers.
Secretary-Treasurer. Claude Genereux was acclaimed as CUPE National Secretary-Treasurer for a two-year term. Claude also recognized and thanked his family for their support.
General Vice-President. Tom Graham, Danny Legere, Barry O'Neill, Sid Ryan, Lucy Lavasseur were voted in - the conference voted on 5 of 6 nominated members.
Tidbits
| Do you twitter? You can follow all the activities live as they happen. We're too cheap
to pay for the Internet access as it is freakin' expensive at
$15.00/hour, follow cupeconvention on twitter. |
Lunch time strike action. At lunch Daniel joined in a 4 hours strike to support the Montreal blue collar workers. The stream of blue ponchos marched to Montreal City Hall.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
One of many delegates wearing a shirt in support of BC Ambulance workers.
United we sit, divided we stand. Discussion of Strategic Directions Program for CUPE: 2009-2011 Taking Action. After an hour and a half of discussion from the convention floor this document was sent back to committee for resolution.
Ken Lewenza, President CAW rallied the troops with his relatively short speech (a relief from a previous 3 hour speech) on corporate welfare and the fear propaganda campaign of CEOs and Government, and moving forward the labour movement in these "tough" economic times. Spoke about the capitalization of "fear" and how every unionized member needs to espouse public service pride. At the time of asking of Union workers for major concessions and restraints CEOs are still in line for a hefty bonus in these "tough" economic times. The payment of this economic recession is expected to come not from the greedy corporate executives, but from workers. Pleas for donations and picket line support, and an update on CUPE locals who have been on strike for more than 3 months, Locals 301, 719, 873, 1000. Specifically spoke about the BC provincial paramedics who have been on strike since April 1, 2009 (no foolin'). We have previously mentioned this on our web site, but for the most up to date information: www.saveourparamedics.com
Delegate report: 2032 delegates registered, 142 alternates from 750 locals.
Committee reports presented. National Literacy Working Group: developed clear language tools to make the Union and workplaces more accessible, and work with other allies to put literacy on the national political agenda. National Young Workers Working Group: talked to young members about issues that are of concern to them, pushed for mentorship programs and support CUPE locals in succession planning. National Pink Triangle Committee: went to Mexico, Vienna, and Copenhagen on conferences and supported HIV/AIDS research. National Aboriginal Council:designed an Aboriginal policy paper, participated in various events and conferences, staff representative training, and Aboriginal awareness course.Global Justice Committee, Child Care Persons with Disabilities and National Childcare Working Group reported on their activities. Resolutions
No. 44 - Clear language for the CUPE Constitution. Carried. No. 77 - Encouraging young workers, and investigate the possibility of a national young workers' conference. Carried. No. 262 - Condemn the federal government to amend policies that prohibit gay men from donating blood and make it difficult for them to be bone marrow and organ donors. Carried. No. 18 - Lobby the Government of Canada to properly and adequately fund the foster child system for Aboriginal children in Canada. Carried. No. 129 (covers 124) - Develop and implement a campaign to stop the process of casualization of work in all our sectors. Carried. No. 324 - Lobby all levels of government to encourage them to work to keep good jobs in our provinces and communities by "Buy Canadian" policies. Carried. Constitution
C26 (covers C27) - Move to a more straightforward practice to simply vote on a motion without voting on a committee's recommendation of concurrence or non-concurrence. Carried. C5 - Airline Division components, 1 delegate per airline, and this change must be effective for the CUPE convention of 2011. Carried.
Tidbits "Green" demands are making their way to the bargaining table (e.g., water fountains, eco-friendly paints, carbon neutral travel, etc.) There are so many BC delegates at convention we are sitting with the Alberta delegates, tomorrow we may move to Newfoundland. Jo had bacon creme-brulee for lunch today; Jo & Dee may be related (which may explain a lot). 
| Dan's your uncle, or more exactly Max's uncle!!!! Congrats to Uncle Dan and thanks for being here instead of being in Vancouver to spoil your new nephew. |
More tomorrow...
Birds-eye view of conference floor on Tuesday at the CUPE National Convention.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Delegates vote on motions on Day one of the CUPE National Convention.
Let the Games Begin!
The
morning started early with CUPE National President Paul Moist leading
the room of over 1,200 delegates. Many formalities and processes were
discussed. The Secretary-Treasurer's report and the Trustee's report
were read/discussed and passed. While going through the proposals from the Constitution Committee, a resolution of concern for our membership, C24, which is an amendment to article 16.2 of the constitution: "Where, in any province, the Canadian Union of Public Employees has chartered a Provincial Division, chartered Local Unions in the province shall affiliate with same and maintain membership therein". The resolution was not on the list to be on the convention floor today, we expect vigorous debate and discussion as this resolution carries with it a huge financially cost to OUR membership and means an increase in dues not voted on by our membership, but rather imposed by a National resolution. Our intention is to speak against this motion that reached concurrence at the committee level. When we were part of VMREU in 1994, and deciding between BCGEU, Teamsters and CUPE, one of CUPE's major selling points was "local autonomy".
Voting card for delegates with our CUPE 4627 button.
Sunday October 4, 2009
Reflection of our hotel in the coloured windows of the Palais des congres de Montreal.
Solidarity For Hour
Sectoral meetings were set for Sunday for CUPE sectors with common interests/concerns to meet, communicate and share.
Post-Secondary Sectoral Meeting
Panel addressed Public Private Partnerships (PPP), mostly in Quebec and how they were a model of what not to do. Commercialization of education in reference to P3s was also discussed. Speaker from West Coast talked about how UBC is the biggest real estate seller by creating corporations to sell off university land to fall outside FOIPP legislation. Member from the floor spoke about how the sectoral was focused strictly on Universities, and CUPE should be aware that there are also Colleges and Institutes in the Education sector. Contract ending dates to be same so that bargaining can be better coordinated.
Spoke about resolution #64, which is narrow in its scope and only refers to Universities. Main criticisms were that National coordination of education money from CUPE, how provinces need to work together to have a cohesive education strategy and to draw attention to educational issues on a National level.
Delegates were split off into groups to strategize the issues to be dealt with. At that time a group spoke that their issues needed to be looked at only by "academics/teachers" and discussion among the general populace was not effective for them. They were permitted to form their own group and in disgust at the total lack of solidarity and co-operation we left the meeting and refused to participate further with the sectoral session. lb/jh/dr
Library Sectoral Meeting
Reports from Provinces, highlight St. John's Newfoundland library workers were able to negotiate a 22% wage increase over 4 years. The Western Canadian Library Conference (WCLC) held in October was a success. Based on the success of the WCLC, there is a motion on the convention floor for a CUPE National Library Conference to occur in 2011. The main theme from all libraries is the implementation of the "San Jose Way", most immediate threat to libraries besides under-funding. San Jose Way is trying to break down the traditional look and workings of libraries. More details at www.sanjoseway.org. (site was experiencing issues when I accessed). Connected with the CUPE local that covers Calgary Public Library, we will be exchanging information on the impact of the 1988 Olympics on libraries and library staff. db
More than 1250 delegates fill the largest conference room.
Saturday, October 2, 2009
Your delegates will be reporting to the membership in a blog at least once per day.
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