July 2005
TO ALL CUPE LOCAL UNIONS
Dear Sisters and Brothers:
Each year we receive enquiries concerning the determination of local unions’ delegate representation to the CUPE National Convention.
The number of credentials to which a local union is entitled is governed by Article 6.4 of the CUPE Constitution. The number of credentials is based on the average number of individual members, full-time and part-time, for the twelve-month period July 2004 to June 2005 as specified by Article 6.5.
At the time of issuing credentials in July, most local unions will have paid per capita tax up to May only. The number of credentials issued is therefore based on the average monthly membership reported between July 2004 and the last month for which we have received a per capita tax payment from your local. Local unions whose payments are two or more months in arrears are not entitled to receive credentials.
As soon as a local’s per capita tax payment for July 2005 is received at the National Office, the number of credentials assigned to the local will be reviewed to determine whether an adjustment is necessary. Because of monthly membership fluctuations, some locals may experience a reduction in average membership for the period, which would entitle them to fewer credentials than they initially received. In such a case, it is necessary for this office to cancel a credential and ask that the local union return it. Similarly, some locals may experience an increase in average membership for the period, which would entitle them to more credentials than they initially received. Such additional credentials will be forwarded to the local union immediately upon receipt of the July per capita tax payment.
At the time of the National Convention in October, per capita tax payments must be in order up to at least July 2005 for local unions wishing to seat delegates. Possession of a credential does not guarantee seating at the Convention if a local union’s per capita tax is two or more months in arrears. It is therefore the responsibility of the local and the delegate(s) to ensure that all payments to CUPE National are in order before they travel to Winnipeg to attend the Convention.
I trust these explanations will assist you. Please do not hesitate to contact my office should you have any other questions concerning per capita tax and/or delegate representation at the forthcoming CUPE National Convention.
I look forward to meeting your local’s delegates in October.
In solidarity,
CLAUDE GÉNÉREUX
National Secretary-Treasurer
