Marking its 50th anniversary, the Canadian Union of Public Employees is holding its national convention next week in Québec City. More than 2,500 delegates, representing CUPE’s over 627,000 members across the county, will gather October 21 – October 25 at the Québec City Convention Centre.
Delegates to the biennial convention will celebrate CUPE’s last 50 years and the progress it’s made as Canada’s largest union in improving wages, benefits, pensions and working conditions for all workers. Reflecting on CUPE’s achievements, delegates will debate and discuss the union’s policy priorities for the next two years, and how CUPE members across the country can unite for fairness in workplaces and communities.
Kicking off the five-day convention will be keynote addresses from Paul Moist, national president of CUPE, and Charles Fleury, national secretary-treasurer. Other labour movement speakers will include Public Service International Secretary-General Rosa Pavanelli and Canadian Labour Congress President Ken Georgetti.
Thomas Mulcair, leader of the official opposition and the NDP, will address the convention on October 21 at 3:30 p.m.
Journalist Anne Lagacé Dowson is moderating a panel discussion on reinventing the labour movement. Panelists include celebrated playwright Tomson Highway, champion for income equality Trish Hennessy from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, and Martine Desjardins, an activist and key figure in the 2012 Quebec student strike.
Convention program and agenda are available online at cupe50.ca. Media are invited to attend, and are asked to register on-site at room 201ABC.
October 21 – 25, 2013 Québec City Convention Centre – CUPE 50th Anniversary Convention speakers schedule
Monday, Oct. 21
9:30 a.m. Paul Moist, CUPE National President
2:00 p.m. Charles Fleury, CUPE National Secretary-Treasurer
3:30 p.m. Thomas Mulcair, Leader of the official opposition and NDP
Tuesday, Oct. 22
11:00 a.m. Ken Georgetti, CLC President
2:00 p.m. Labour Matters: Re-inventing our movement: Panel discussion
Wednesday, Oct. 23
11:00 a.m Rosa Pavanelli, PSI Secretary-General
All times approximate
For more information:
Greg Taylor
CUPE Media Relations – English
613 818-0067
gtaylor@cupe.ca
Philippe Gagnon
CUPE Media Relations – French
613 894-0146
pgagnon@scfp.ca