Over the past two years, CUPE has put its finances on stronger footing, but that doesn’t mean we’ve been scrimping and saving.
In 2004, our national defence fund budget was $5.6 million and virtually all of that money went out the door. Things will be much the same by the end of this year.
As I write this, expenditures from the defence fund are equal to revenues. We have taken on privateers across the country. Jean Charest in Quebec, Gordon Campbell in British Columbia and Dalton McGuinty in Ontario have felt the heat applied by CUPE members working to make sure our services remain public and our communities strong.
Since convention 2003, we have spent over $8 million supporting CUPE members With our operating funds, we have built new databases, improved our technology and added staff resources.
We have negotiated hundreds of collective collective agreements. We have built pride and equity by purchasing rather than leasing office space. And we are planning for the future.
As we look forward to the upcoming national convention, we turn our attention to the next two years. We know there many fights ahead. Corporations and governments across Canada are renewing attacks on our jobs and services.
Using the same prudent management, financial planning and transparent processes for spending decisions, we will be ready with the financial clout CUPE members deserve.
Claude Généreux
National Secretary-Treasurer
