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Building Sustainable Communities” was the theme at the 45th annual CUPE-BC convention, held in Vancouver, April 16-19, 2008.  The convention gave overwhelming support to an action plan that continues CUPE’s leading role in promoting community and environmental sustainability.

CUPE-BC Environment Committee members were active on the floor microphones as four of the Committee’s seven resolutions came up for debate.

The delegation of over 500 members passed resolutions that would see:
· CUPE-BC develop a Climate Change policy and Action Plan for all Locals.
· CUPE-BC members try to buy locally from producers and/or manufacturers who use sustainable farming, production and manufacturing practices.
· CUPE-BC calling on the Provincial Government to re-affirm commitment to public power and BC Hydro by stopping the development of run-of-river projects until improvements to the water license application process can ensure that the public has greater input; including extensive consultation with First Nations, environmental groups and local communities.
· CUPE-BC oppose the development of coal-fired generators anywhere in BC and urge the provincial government to create the necessary jobs to become a world leader in producing clean electricity.


The CUPE-BC Environment Committee reported on its activities on coal-bed methane, the development of a ‘Go-Green’ CUPE educational workshop, BC’s pine beetle devastation, the good work that is accomplished through its alliance with the Labour Environmental Alliance Society (LEAS) and much more.

In a progressive move, the C02 emissions were calculated from CUPE-BC president Barry O’Neill’s provincial tour and then carbon offsets were purchased locally in Vancouver.  The offsets will be used for solar energy in local co-operative housing initiatives.

With the growing weight of evidence on the toxicity of plastic water bottles, the CUPE-BC executive board passed a motion ensuring that CUPE-BC will not purchase plastic water bottles.

For more info: http://www.cupe.bc.ca/408