Candace Rennick, a long-term care worker from Peterborough, Ontario, was elected today as Secretary-Treasurer of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Ontario, becoming the first woman and the youngest person ever elected to the post.
Thirty-one-year-old Rennick grew up in Peterborough and has been a CUPE union member her entire adult life. Candace has held many leadership positions in CUPE, including the presidency of her home local, CUPE 2280 in Peterborough, Vice-President of CUPE Ontario and, since December 2009, she has held the Secretary-Treasurer position of CUPE Ontario on an interim basis. Candace Rennick is also a Vice-President of her national union and also serves as a Vice-President of the Ontario Federation of Labour.
Rennick ran in a contested election on a platform of transparency and responsible fiscal management for Ontario’s largest trade union.
Rennick told delegates that CUPE members are being tested at the bargaining table and that their union will be called on to deliver more. “When we work together and we unite,” said Rennick, “Absolutely anything is possible. I am honoured and it is a great privilege. Thank you.”
CUPE has 230,000 members in Ontario.
For more information, please contact:
Chris Watson
CUPE Communications
Tel: (416) 553-9410
Email: cwatson@cupe.ca