Charles Fleury | National Secretary-Treasurer
In September, I presented my last report to the National Executive Board as your National Secretary-Treasurer. After careful and considerable reflection, I have decided to retire after the national convention in November. After 10 years in office, it is time for me to go back home to Québec.
Since my first election in 2011, I have had the honour and privilege to serve CUPE in this role, working with you to support thousands of workplace struggles, campaigns, legal battles, coalitions, and community events. These ten years have been some of the most rewarding and challenging of my life, and I am proud to leave CUPE on solid financial ground.
In the last two years, CUPE has faced unprecedented challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Fortunately, CUPE was in good financial shape when the crisis hit.
But with thousands of members laid off, we were losing millions of dollars in revenues. To maintain the servicing and supports to our locals and members and balance the books, every budget line was reviewed.
Thanks to the dedication of our leaders, members, and staff, we found creative and innovative solutions to deal with our new reality. As a result, we identified significant savings in our operations for 2021. And because our collective resilience is unparalleled, CUPE still has the resources needed to back the important fights our 700,000 members take on.
As we prepare to rebuild in the post-pandemic world, I am extremely proud of the work we have done together. I know that CUPE will continue its mission of working toward a brighter and more prosperous future for all CUPE members and their communities across Canada.
In solidarity,
Charles Fleury