The National Executive Board is reaffirming CUPE’s commitment to fighting concessions and two-tier contract provisions, and defending the free collective bargaining rights of its members. At it’s most recent meeting, the NEB approved a revised policy on collective bargaining that sets out a plan to ensure CUPE locals and members are fully prepared to fight back against attacks during bargaining.
“Workers did not join CUPE in order to move backwards, to lose wages or benefits, or lower their working conditions. They joined our union so they could move forward, with a better work life, more secure employment, and safe working conditions,” said Mark Hancock, national president of CUPE. “We have an obligation to our members to resist concessions, two-tier contract provisions, and precarious work. If a contract provision is not good enough for our current members, it is not good enough for the next generation of workers either.”
The revised policy outlines roles and responsibilities of all elected leaders and staff in fighting concessions, resisting two-tier contract proposals from employers, and defending the free collective bargaining rights of CUPE members. It emphasises the need to strengthen locals by mobilizing and engaging members to resist concessions in bargaining, and build solidarity among locals, and outlines the importance of coordinating bargaining between locals, within sectors, and at the provincial level.
“CUPE is at its strongest when we all work together. CUPE leaders and staff at all levels must work closely to strengthen our support for locals and members facing attacks at the bargaining table,” said Charles Fleury, national secretary-treasurer. “We must be united in sending a strong and forceful message to all levels of government in opposing concessionary bargaining and defending our free collective bargaining rights.”