“Today, I am thinking of all the strong women, particularly at CUPE, who lead the way to make our communities better. On this International Women’s Day, let’s celebrate all that we have achieved. And let’s commit to using all our strength to making the change we need and want!” - Candace Rennick, CUPE’s National Secretary-Treasurer.This International Women’s Day, CUPE is celebrating women’s leadership on the front lines. CUPE women have demonstrated incredible leadership throughout this pandemic, providing crucial public services that hold our communities together. But CUPE women continue to fight. At the bargaining table, through political action, and on the picket lines, women are showing leadership and building solidarity to fight for stronger public services, pay equity and fair wages, and better working conditions. CUPE continues to argue that care work has been traditionally undervalued and underpaid and that the pandemic shows the urgent need to address this form of systemic discrimination.
At our recent National Convention, a comprehensive Anti-Racism Strategy was adopted to stamp out racism in every corner of our union’s work. Delegates also voted overwhelmingly to “support calls for trans inclusive feminism and speak out against transmisogyny, transphobia and hate in all its forms.”
In March 2021, the National Executive Board created the Safe Union Spaces Working Group to ensure CUPE has policies, practices and processes to prevent and address all forms of violence and harassment.
These historic moves make our union stronger – sending the message to all women members that they are valued and celebrated in CUPE.
This International Women’s Day, CUPE invites members to take action.