WINNIPEG – Hundreds of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) members attending their national convention this week rallied today – Communities Day – to defend public services and fight poverty.
“CUPE members demonstrated their commitment to rebuilding strong communities by rallying and marching for public services and against privatization,” said Paul Moist, national president of Canada’s largest union.
“This is a commitment that CUPE members live up to every day by providing the public services that we all depend on,” Moist added as hundreds gathered during a break from CUPE’s 22nd biennial national convention.
Communities Day is a CUPE-led effort to highlight the central role that public services play in keeping our communities strong, healthy and equitable places to live.
At convention, CUPE reaffirmed its political priority to defend public services and fight privatization. Members demanded that governments invest more in our communities. Delegates also voted to support the National Anti-Poverty Organization campaign for a living wage.
CUPE members elsewhere also mobilized to celebrate Oct. 5 as Communities Day. Municipalities across Canada have proclaimed the day, including Saskatoon, Thompson, Man., Ajax, Milton and Port Hope, Ont., Edson and Bon Accord, Alta., and Yellowknife, N.W.T.
CUPE represents more than 540,000 women and men who work in health care, education, municipalities, social services, electrical utilities, airlines and more.
The full convention schedule is available at cupe.ca.
Contact:
David Robbins
CUPE communications
(613) 878-1431 (cell)
Catherine Louli (bilingual)
(613) 851-0547 (cell)