Sisters and Brothers,
Happy New Year!
We hope you had a peaceful and restful holiday season, and are recharged for a new year. 2013 promises to be a challenging year for the labour movement but one filled with many opportunities for growth and mobilization as well. The Harper Conservative government is ramping up attacks on workers, and the unions that speak up for them. This year will be a critical time to push back on his agenda that so far has included cuts to Employment Insurance, attacks on retirement security and signing secretive trade deals. This year CUPE will continue to fight for expansion of the Canada Pension Plan, for health care and against trade deals like CETA.
2013 also brings opportunities for change on the electoral front. Provincial elections are on the horizon in British Columbia and Nova Scotia, with a potential election in Ontario. This offers an opportunity to elect progressive candidates, and organize around our issues.
While we are experiencing unprecedented attacks on our right to collective bargaining and the erosion of public services, Canadians are increasingly skeptical of the direction of governments who are doing nothing to address growing income inequality. It has never been a more important time for us all to work for fairer wages and working conditions for all Canadian workers.
The work each and every one of you does in your community and in your workplace is vital. A strong, united labour movement can help bring back family sustaining jobs, healthy communities and pride in Canada. Together we can build a better Canada for all Canadians.
Best wishes to each of you in 2013, and thank you for your incredible dedication to the important work of our union.
Paul Moist
National President
Charles Fleury
Secretary-Treasurer