Clean, plentiful and affordable water. A source of life and health. And for greedy corporations, a source of profit and wealth. Theres no doubt our water systems are under attack and CUPE is on the front line in defence of this precious public resource.
To bolster that defence, delegates to national convention unanimously adopted a policy paper on water. The paper details the threat to public control of our water services and water resources, and sets out an agenda to stop privatization of water.
Building on a national network of Water Watch committees and working with key allies, the policy calls for renewed education, research and lobby efforts, mobilizing CUPE members and the broader public.
Speakers from the convention floor and in sectoral meetings and regional caucuses spoke of the need to take strong action to ensure that huge global water corporations didnt get control of our water supplies. And they related examples from their own communities of looming threats and successful fightback campaigns.
Convention delegates also signed postcards to finance minister Paul Martin, calling on the federal government to commit funds for municipal infrastructure in this years budget. And the momentum since convention has continued to build as CUPE members have spread the word across the country.
In lobby meetings with local MPs, in presentations to municipal councils and at conventions of the federations of labour in Saskatchewan, Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, CUPE members have been delivering the message loud and clear: Waters not for profit.