Our National Executive Board met in Ottawa June 18 – 20, 2024. 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 of our CUPE family. Remembered were: Cory Bender, CUPE 456; Robert Stevens, CUPE 1960; David Nitschmann, CUPE 4480; Michael Adams, CUPE 4705; Jill Harburn, CUPE 4222; Lawrence Stefanowich, CUPE 5123; Laura Connor, CUPE 4222; Don MacLeod, CUPE 167 retiree and former NEB Member; Marie Taylor, retired staff; Jacqueline Gilbert, retired staff; Kenneth Hopper, retired staff; Jim Swaok, retired staff; Beulah (Barbara) Wilson, retired staff; Linda Hanton, retired staff; Anna Sweet, retired staff; Rose Nas de Tourris, active staff; and Alan Willaert, Canadian Federation of Musicians, American Federation of Musicians.
National Indigenous Peoples Day
In recognition of National Indigenous Peoples Day, the Board participated in a ceremonial Cedar Bow Cleanse lead by Diversity Vice President Debra Merrier. The Board then received a presentation from members of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.
2024 National Sector Council Conference
The Board approved the sector co-chairs and discussed the upcoming National Sector Council Conference, being held October 7-10, 2024 in Winnipeg.
The deadline for registration is September 20, 2024 and the link to the registration form can be found here.
New General Vice-President
Following the resignation from the Board in May of Judy Henley, and in keeping with the National Constitution, Gina McKay was duly elected and sworn in as the new General Vice-President representing the Prairies (Saskatchewan and Manitoba). The Board welcomed Gina in this new capacity and wished Judy well in her next endeavours.
Trial Panelists
The NEB approved the appointment of 69 members from across the country to serve on regional trial panels, in accordance with Appendix F of the National Constitution.
Global Justice Fund
The Annual General Meeting of CUPE’s Global Justice Fund was held on June 18, 2024. The meeting adopted the 2023 financial statements, approved
one new project, and the renewal of 12 projects at a total cost of $183,000.
These projects are sponsored by the Fund and individual CUPE locals and divisions and are undertaken in partnership with workers’ and women’s organizations in countries around the world, including Burma, Columbia, Cuba, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, and the Philippines.
Transfer of $3 Million to the National Defence Fund
The increased militancy we are witnessing in CUPE locals is reflected in many creative cost-shared initiatives that are taking shape across the country. To ensure that the National Defence Fund can keep up with demand, the NEB approved a transfer of $3 million from the 2023 General Fund surplus to the National Defence Fund.
2023 Audited Financial Statements
Deloitte, our external auditing firm, presented the 2023 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.
CUPE’s 2023 audited financial statements can be found here.
Trustees’ Report
CUPE’s National Trustees (Donna Van Kroonenburg, David Tremblay, Christian Trudeau, Bob Guenther and Talitha Dekker) completed their 2023 Report of CUPE’s finances, which was presented to the Board. They found the union’s finances to be in good order and congratulated the National Officers on their efforts over the past year.
Financial Support
The National Executive Board approved 38 cost-shared campaign requests totaling $3,039,862.73, 11 requests for legal and arbitration support totaling $359,511.21, and one request for legal support through the strike fund to pay further legal costs of the Bill 17 Charter Challenge in New Brunswick in the amount of $200,000.
