More than 200 activists gathered in Kelowna February 20-21 to discuss strategies to fight privatization and contracting out.
Organized by CUPE B.C., the conference offered workshops on Contract Language, P3’s, Community Action, K-12 Financing and Budgets, Municipal Finance and Budgets, changes to the B.C. Municipal Act and Bringing the Work Home.
Division president Barry O’Neill says the conference provided an important opportunity for grassroots CUPE activists to compare notes and share strategies. “Time and again we’re seeing private contractors drop the ball when it comes to delivering the services people depend on,” says O’Neill.
“When public services get contracted out or privatized, we see the quality of work suffer, we see costs escalate, and we see multinationals pocketing record profits at the expense of workers.”