Building on our sound financial footing continues to be a priority, National Secretary-Treasurer Claude Généreux told delegates in his financial report.
“My speech is not about a crisis,” he said in outlining his vision for CUPE’s future. “There is no per capita increase before you this week. This convention is not about CUPE’s finances. It’s the first time in 25 years that we have been able to say that.”
As evidence of CUPE’s financial stability, Généreux pointed to a strike fund of close to $30 million, general fund surpluses in the last two years, and a balanced budget for 2005. That stability, he said, has allowed CUPE National to “match the fighting spirit of CUPE members.”
Since the 2003 convention, he added, 70,000 members have gone on strike and $9 million has been spent on strike pay and benefits, campaigns and arbitrations.
With the new “Strategic Directions” document setting CUPE’s course for 2005-07, and prudent financial management, he concluded, “we can build our union from the inside and continue CUPE’s work for progressive social change.”