As the holiday season approaches, and as 2017 comes to a close, we want to send our warmest holiday greetings and our most sincere thanks to all CUPE members, activists and staff.
The past year has been full of challenges, as our members stood strong in the fight for fairness, respect and better working conditions, at the bargaining table and on the picket line. On the national scene, CUPE has led the charge against precarious work, and for more stable employment and retirement security for all Canadians.
We have also celebrated a renewed focus on bargaining forward for our members and all workers - telling employers across Canada that CUPE members will not be intimidated or coerced into taking concessions and two-tier proposals at the bargaining table. And in October, we started issuing strike pay from the first day of a strike or lockout to give our members the leverage they need to tackle tough bargaining situations. CUPE members have never been in a better position to bargain forward on the things that matter most. As a union, with over 650,000 members nationally, our solidarity has never been stronger.
In 2018, CUPE will take on the issues that matter most to our members and the people we serve, like defending public services, improving wages and working conditions, and fighting racism and discrimination wherever it exists. Together, we’ll strengthen our resolve to fight for fairness and equality in our workplaces and our communities, all across our great country.
In Solidarity,
Mark Hancock
National President
Charles Fleury
National Secretary-Treasurer