COURTENAY—CUPE National secretary-treasurer Claude Généreux was joined by CUPE members and staff, local politicians, and employers to celebrate the launch of its new Comox Valley area office on September 17.
“CUPE is in good financial shape and we are proud to be able to take this step in an area where many CUPE members live and where residents appreciate the services we provide. This is another way that we build relationships between CUPE, employers, citizens and communities,” said Généreux.
CUPE National representative Trish Mack hosted the grand opening and Donn Stanley, CUPE’s B.C. regional director, also attended and offered remarks.
Stanley talked about how positive it is that CUPE is able to invest in communities. “This sends a strong signal that CUPE members are here for the long term.”
The new office will display a special gift from the members of CUPE 439 (Comox Valley School District). Local president Janice Wright presented a beautiful copper plate engraved with the moon spirit, which is a First Nations “protector and guardian of the people.”
Elected officials in attendance included Mayor of Gold River Craig Anderson and Comox Councillor Marcia Turner. They were joined by Vancouver Island North Member of Parliament Catherine Bell.
Also joining the celebration were Campbell River School District secretary-treasurer Lyle Boyce, Debra Oakman (CAO) and Gaya Cutler (Human Resources Manager) of the Comox Valley Regional District, and Anja Nurvo, CAO of the Village of Cumberland.
CUPE’s new office, located at #6 - 204 North Island Highway in Courtenay, is environmentally designed to be healthy and easy to clean, with plenty of natural light. The space is shared with CUPE’s health services division, the Hospital Employees’ Union. It features a large, multi-use, multi-media training/meeting room which will allow for a variety of educational activities for CUPE, HEU and others.
CUPE’s Comox Valley area office services Powell River on the Mainland and the Comox Valley, Campbell River, Port Alice, Port Hardy and Gold River on the Island.