Montreal, Friday, January 18, 2002 – The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) has just chosen a new President for Qub0065c. During an extraordinary convention held in Montreal today, Mario Gervais, 49 years of age, was appointed President of CUPE-Qub0065c. Some 500 delegates attended the convention, making it one of the largest assemblies held by CUPE-Qub0065c in 25 years. The appointment of Claude Gnreux as National Secretary-Treasurer at the CUPE national convention in November necessitated the election of a new leader for CUPE’s Qub0065c Division.
The new President, Mario Gervais, has been an active member of the union movement for many years. Employed by Hydro-Qub0065c since 1975, he began his union activities very early. Originally from the Mauricie, he worked in the Qub0065c City region from 1986 to 1991 before moving to Montra006c to assume his duties as President of CUPE local 957, which represents some 2,500 Hydro-Qub0065c technologists.
Following Carole Denis’ withdrawal of her candidacy in November, Mario Gervais was elected by acclamation. The new President emphasized that, as part of his mandate, he intended to “promote the services we render to the public” and would do so, among others, by “mobilizing the members”.
During the convention, the Conseil provincial du secteur des affaires sociales (CPAS, provincial council of social affairs) also elected a new officer. Three candidates ran for the Presidency of the CPAS which represents over 20,000 health and social service workers. The delegates’ choice was Marcel Girard who, until now, has served as President of CUPE local 2960 (Institut Pinel).
With close to 100,000 members in Qub0065c, CUPE is the largest QFL affiliate. The Union is active in several sectors: hydroelectricity, health and social services, communications, education, universities, municipalities, urban and air transport, government corporations, and public agencies in Qub0065c. CUPE has over 500,000 members throughout Canada.