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Grand Falls/Windsor CUPE delegates gathered in Grand Falls/Windsor for their provincial convention have heard from their National Secretary-Treasurer, Claude Généreux, that the unions strike fund is at an all-time high.

Généreux says, With $25 million in our national strike fund, our union is in a better position than ever to defend our members and the public services they provide from right-wing governments intent on privatizing or contracting out these valuable community resources.

CUPE NL President Wayne Lucas welcomed the news, saying, If Danny Williams thinks that his back to work legislation has somehow weakened our members resolve or our national unions capacity to stand up for the rights of working people, todays announcement might cause him and his cabinet to rethink that.

In an emergency resolution, delegates unanimously supported a move to lobby the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Municipalities and, if necessary, the Superintendent of Pensions to extend group insurance and pension benefits to all municipal workers in the province. It also called for proportional representation of CUPE members on the Newfoundland and Labrador Municipal Employees Benefits Board.

A resolution supporting Jack Layton and the federal NDPs securing of $4.6 billion for social programs from the Martin Liberals was also passed.

Delegates also demonstrated their generosity by donating from their pockets for the Corner Brook Committee on Family Violences annual walkathon. The collection was then matched by CUPE NL and CUPE National for a total of $1,446.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees is Canadas largest union, representing over half a million workers across the country. CUPE 31st annual provincial convention continues through Wednesday, May 4 at the Mount Peyton Hotel.

For information:

Wayne Lucas - CUPE NL President - 727-2509 or 489-2251

John McCracken - CUPE Communications Rep. - (902) 455-4180 (o) - (902) 222-8457 (Cell)