The leaders’ debates: how was it for you?
What’s your take on the leaders’ debates? Write a 30-50 word review and submit it at www.cupe.ca/election. We’ll publish the best ones and pick one entry to win a CUPE memory stick.
Also be sure to check out CUPE’s election website for issue sheets on the economy, health care, privatization, municipal infrastructure, Aboriginal rights and the environment.
In Halifax? Go the Rally4Change
Please come out and join Jack Layton, Leader of Canada’s New Democrats and your Nova Scotia candidates, October 4 at noon.
Featuring live music by In-Flight Safety and special guests including Alexa McDonough.
• When: October 4, 2008 (12:00 PM - 3:00 PM)
• Location: Saint Mary’s University, McNally Theatre Auditorium
Architect society checks CUPE building’s green credentials
The Ottawa Regional Society of Architects toured CUPE’s National office October 1 as part of its environment-themed Architecture Week.
Denise Martel, of Bryden Martel Architects, the architects of CUPE’s award winning building took about a dozen interested architects on a tour, explaining its features and the economics of green construction.
The building uses 40 per cent less energy than a conventionally designed and outfitted building of a similar size.
“We are proud of our new national home,” says National Secretary-Treasurer,
Claude Généreux. “And even more so that it is capturing the designation as one of the greenest buildings in Ottawa at this time. Who would have thought that CUPE would inspire architects?”
Project manager for CUPE’s National Office running for NDP
Philip Brown, who managed construction of CUPE National’s headquarters, is running for the NDP in Nepean-Carleton.
Under Brown’s leadership, CUPE’s National Office project earned a gold Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, in recognition of it being one of the greenest building projects in Ottawa.
CUPE members and staff who want to volunteer or contribute to Phil’s campaign can contact him by e-mail at phil@jacksonbrown.on.ca or call his campaign manager at
(613)601-0639.
Ontario law on privatized developmental services heads for third reading
A controversial Ontario bill that would allow parents of developmentally disabled adults and children to hire their own providers will go to third reading this fall.
Bill 77 sets up a system for direct funding to individuals which would undermine the community agency structure and allow private brokers in to “help” parents who don’t also want to be an employer.
“Our worst fear is that we will see in developmental services, a re- creation of all the problems currently plaguing home care in Ontario,” CUPE Ontario President Sid Ryan told committee hearings on the bill in August.
Nova Scotia CUPE members running in municipal elections
CUPE members in Nova Scotia are stepping up to the plate in record numbers for next month’s municipal and school board elections.
Twenty members have thrown their hats into the ring for the first time, or are contesting as incumbents.
For a full list see: http://cupe.ca/news/Nova-Scotia-CUPE-mem
CoDev Canada AGM hears Moist report on Colombia
An overflow crowd of about 100 global justice activists attended CoDevelopment Canada’s annual general meeting in Vancouver on September 17 to hear CUPE National President Paul Moist discuss the Canada-Colombia free trade deal.
Moist and BC Government Employees’ Union Past President George Heyman gave a moving presentation on the July 2008 public sector labour leaders tour to Colombia.
Moist has committed CUPE to conduct corporate research to expose Canadian mining interests that will profit from the suffering of the Colombian people. And CUPE will seek to work with First Nations in Canada to build support for indigenous peoples’ struggles in Colombia.
Delegates also applauded CUPE’s recent $100,000 donation.
Sign up for the Women’s Bargaining Conference
CUPE members from across the country will gather in Montréal, Québec February 10-13, 2009 for the National Bargaining Women’s Equality Conference.
This is our opportunity to develop a Canada-wide bargaining agenda to move forward on raising women’s wages, obtaining and improving pensions for women, improving work-home life balance, bargaining secure jobs and protection from workplace violence.
Register online before January 11, 2009 at www.cupe.ca/forms/wbc.php.
:te/cope 491