CUPE National Secretary-Treasurer Claude Généreux inaugurated the CUPE Hamilton area office at an open house attended by local members and staff on February 15.
“This is a workers’ town with a strong labour movement,” said Généreux. “So it is with great pride that I open this office for our members and staff.”
The event started with Joanne Webb, CUPE Ontario Diversity Vice-President for Aboriginal workers, dedicating the new office “with love, respect and good spirit to all that passed through the halls – past, present and future.”
Occupying 7,500 square feet, on the entire 17th floor of a downtown Hamilton office complex at 21 King Street West, the office will now serve as a central hub for local CUPE staff to work and meet with locals and members. Overlooking the picturesque Hamilton Bay from the penthouse level, the CUPE Hamilton office services 25,000 members in 60 different locals.
“This new office embodies our values of healthy work spaces that enhance the quality of life for staff and members,” said Généreux.
Linda Thurston-Neeley, the director in charge of the CUPE Hamilton area and a leader in the process to create a new working environment in Hamilton, thanked staff for working closely with her to make the new office a reality, sharing her pride to carry out CUPE’s vision of comfortable and functional offices for staff and members.
The Hamilton CUPE office incorporates LEED equivalent features, including direct sunshine for each office and workstation, energy efficient lighting fixtures, low VOC (volatile organic compound) content paint finishes and millwork, new carpet flooring containing recycled, low allergen fibers, and other energy efficient and environmentally friendly features.