The writs have been dropped in Ontario and New Brunswick and CUPE members are mobilizing.
CUPE Ontario is mounting a major information campaign to ensure members have the facts and arguments they need to talk to co-workers, family and neighbours about the devastating impact of the Conservative policies on every aspect of public services.
Through meetings with local activists, fact sheets and flyers, they’re encouraging members to participate actively in support of candidates committed to strengthening public delivery of public services.
Six CUPE members are working particularly hard, knocking on doors and speaking out for public services as NDP candidates. They are: Ontario Division President Sid Ryan in Scarborough Centre, Terry Maley in Scarborough East, Gail McCabe in Mississauga Centre, Allan McPhail in Hastings, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington, Jim Morrison in Durham and Michael Swayze in Willowdale.
For more information on the Ontario campaign, check out their great new Web site at www.cupe.on.ca/vote99.
In New Brunswick, members plan to take advantage of the provincial election to hammer the government on the private toll highway and its discriminatory legislation restricting the right of casual workers to unionize.
Kevin Wilcox from Local 813 will be seeking nomination as an NDP candidate in the coming days. Many nominations are still taking place across the province and CUPE members will be active electing labour candidates.
Meanwhile, an election call appears imminent in Manitoba and rumours persist that voters in Saskatchewan and possibly Nova Scotia will go to the polls before the end of June.
The outcome of these elections will have a major impact on our jobs, the services we offer and the health of our communities. Don’t delay. Get active today.