Prince Rupert city workers score with Strong Communities theme
Jun 17, 2004 11:51 AM
PRINCE RUPERT – Prince Rupert city workers have won this year’s top award for their float in the Seafest Parade this past Saturday. The community celebration takes place every year and is filled with family-based activities that celebrate the north coast lifestyle. This year’s theme was “Canoes – Canada’s first highways”.
CUPE 105’s winning float depicted an octopus swimming side-by-side two canoes. “The octopus in the float symbolizes the different arms of the local and the members reaching out to the community,” says Lila Pettersen, CUPE 105 Recording Secretary, who coordinated the local’s participation.
The front of the float had CUPE BC’s Strong Communities banner across it and the back of the float listed the dozens of community groups and organizations to which CUPE 105 donates financial resources.
Children wore “Strong Communities” t-shirts and proudly participated in the parade with CUPE flags held high.
When CUPE 105’s float approached the panel of judges, Pettersen read out the purpose and mission of their entry. “This float has been built by members of CUPE 105. Much like our octopus, CUPE 105 has many arms reaching out into the community to provide and maintain a host of services that we all take for granted, services that are so vital to our city.”
CUPE 105’s float also placed 3rd in the “best theme category.”
The local handed out leaflets and candy for the kids and made little canoe hats out of construction paper.
“Seafest is a great opportunity for us to let the community know just how important city services are to making a community work. It’s also a chance to showcase the extra-mile we go to build strong communities,” says Russell Wiens, CUPE 105 President. “We’re very proud of this year’s win.”
CUPE 105 represents 110 city workers in Prince Rupert.
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Contact:
Russell Wiens, CUPE 105 President, o: (250) 627-7429, h: (250) 627-8417;
Diane Kalen, CUPE Communications, (778) 229-0258.