What do Toronto, Britain, Romania, Wisconsin have in common?
They are all centres where public sector workers – and the services they deliver – are under attack, said CUPE National President Paul Moist during his address to the CUPE Saskatchewan convention in Regina this week.
Speaking to nearly 200 delegates, Moist noted:
- In Toronto, the new mayor is committed to privatizing municipal services, starting with garbage.
- In Britain, 500,000 public sector jobs are on the line because of budget cuts imposed by the new Conservative coalition government.
- In Romania, public sector workers are facing a 25 per cent wage cut.
- And just south of the 49th parallel, teachers and other public sector workers are facing legislation that strips their bargaining rights.
“Why are we under attack?” he asked the 200 delegates on the opening day of convention. “Because we exist,” he said, adding the vast majority of unionized workers belong to public sector unions.
Moist promised delegates that CUPE, the largest union in the country, would be vocal in defending the rights of public sector workers and the services they deliver.
He also acknowledged the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day, stating “The national union would continue to work for equality, pay equity and dignity for all women.”
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