Welcome to Ottawa, and our June National Executive Board meeting: We had hoped to hold this meeting in the new Judy Darcy boardroom at the National Office, but the engineering and electronic communications equipment and translation equipment is still being installed, and not yet operational.
Before getting into my report, I want to thank members who were able to attend our official inauguration celebration for the new National Office on April 30, where members, staff, and invited guests, including federal MPs from the Bloc Quebecois and New Democratic Party were in attendance. Federal NDP Leader Jack Layton spoke at the event and congratulated CUPE on achieving such a beautiful, award winning and environmentally friendly space.
I also want to thank the National Executive Board for your support at our last meeting in March, to create the new Fight-Back Fund, to support political strikes not related to bargaining and fightbacks against general and extraordinary attacks on our members’ rights by governments and employers, with initial seed funding of $2.5 ‘million dollars from available surplus.
This, together with our $5 million Anti-Privatization. Initiative over two years, means CUPE is well prepared to fight any attack against our members, whenever and wherever they occur.
Thanks again to Board members for attending our special April 29 meeting to strategize and flesh out the Anti-Privatization Initiative. Divisions have started to put together their plans for regional campaigns, and we have filled the position of National Campaign Coordinator Sister Mary Catherine McCarthy, a National Representative in the Ottawa area, began her new assignment June 3rd.
