Local 500 activist Karen Byzuk, a CUPE member for 40 years, is this year’s recipient of the CUPE Literacy Award.
At her local, Byzuk has advocated tirelessly to support access to learning at work for the City of Winnipeg workers. She has played a leadership role in negotiating and administering a wide variety of CUPE-member directed education and training programs.
“Workplace learning programs are life changing,” said Byzuk. She encouraged locals to make workplace learning bargaining a priority.
“Every CUPE member in every workplace can gain the skills they need to fully participate in all aspects of their lives – at home, at work, in their community, and in our union.”
Sister Byzuk has inspired many CUPE members to pursue lifelong learning. She has provided mentorship to an emerging generation of CUPE activists who will carry on this work.