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CUPE has sent a strong message to employers and governments that it is ready to fight to protect jobs and public services.

Delegates approved an increase in the per capita formula from .7 to .85 per cent. With 1,857 delegates voting, 67.6 per cent supported the increase, meeting the two-thirds majority required by CUPE’s constitution.

In a second day of passionate debate, delegates voiced their hopes and fears for CUPE. All expressed support for a strong, fighting union but some, including the Quebec delegation, cautioned the proposed increase was more than their members or their locals could afford. Supporters of the increase argued that it was essential to CUPE to pay down its debt and to fund the fightbacks necessary to protect our members’ jobs and wages.

Claude Gnreux, General Vice-President from Quebec, thanked delegates for the respectful and democratic nature of the debate. Quebec delegates held a special caucus after the vote to consider their response.