Our National Executive Board met June 18 – 20, 2019 in Ottawa. These are the highlights of their deliberations and decisions.
In Memory
The National Executive Board (NEB) observed a minute of silence to reflect upon the loss of members in our CUPE family. Remembered were:
- Ellen Frances Gillis, Local 5050;
- Sylvio St-Pierre, Local 1087;
- Cole Timlin, Local 1000;
- Brenda O’Reilly, Local 1750;
- Curtis Smith, Local 416;
- Derick Lwugi, Local 38;
- Tara Graf, Local 4060;
- Shelley Gerlywich, Local 4575;
- Honey Barclay, Local 1858;
- Tony “Slim” Paver, retiree, Local 5167;
- Del Zelisney, retiree, Local 1622;
- Mario Fruttarol, retiree, Local 403;
- Lorne Trevors, staff;
- Kelly Murray, retired staff;
- Edward Haggan, retired staff;
- Clive Derham, retired staff;
- Renée Courville, retired staff;
- Lynda Neville, retired staff;
- Larry Hanley, International President, Amalgamated Transit Union.
General Vice-President
Brother Paul Faoro was sworn in as our new General Vice-President. As is our practice for GVP vacancies between national conventions, following the resignation of Sister Marle Roberts, Brother Faoro was elected by the NEB from the nominations received from the Provincial Divisions in BC and Alberta. Chartered bodies in British Columbia have been invited to nominate a Regional Vice-President to serve the remainder of the term.
National Convention
Preparations are well under way for the 29th CUPE National Convention, being held October 7 to 11 at the Palais des congrès de Montréal. Sector Council meetings will be held on October 6. The National Executive Board adopted some key constitutional amendments and policy resolutions to place in front of the convention. They also considered an outline of Strategic Directions for 2019 – 2021. The Board struck a sub-committee to work over the summer to further develop this document for convention.
Humanitarian Support
The NEB made a special contribution of $20,000 to non-profit organizations in Quebec who are providing on-the-ground support in communities impacted by the devastating floods in southern Quebec earlier this spring.
Financial Support
The National Executive Board approved 23 cost-share campaign requests totaling $1,331,900.15, and 13 requests for legal and arbitration support were approved, totaling $440,683.85.
2018 Audited Financial Statements
Deloitte, our external auditing firm, presented the 2018 audited financial statements for our General Fund, our National Strike Fund and our National Defence Fund. All three funds were found to be in strong, stable shape. CUPE’s accounting and administrative systems were found to exceed the standard requirements.
Trustees’ Report
CUPE’s National Trustees presented the 2018 Trustees’ Report of CUPE National’s finances. Following an extensive review, they found CUPE’s finances to be in excellent condition. While preparing their 2018 report, the Trustees found a minor error in their previous report, so the 2017 Trustees’ Report was resubmitted to the Board at this meeting.
Sister Karen Ranalletta (Local 2950, BC) stepped down from the position of National Trustee in January 2019, and she was recognized for her contributions and dedicated service in the role since her election at the 2015 CUPE National Convention. Sister Shireen Clark (Local 374, BC), who had been selected to fill the vacancy created by Sister Ranalletta, was welcomed to the role.