Our National Executive Board met September 21-23, 2021 in Ottawa, with some members joining virtually. These are the highlights of their deliberations and decisions.

In Memory

The National Executive Board (NEB) observed a minute of silence to reflect on the members of our CUPE family lost in the last four months. Remembered were: Lisa Higginbotham, Local 3730; John Ivers, Local 1000; Mark Dennis, Local 1334; Emmanuel Fongwa, Local 4655; Jacquie Clark, Local 1936; Sam Basi, Local 37; John Michael Mingle, Local 4400; Rob Sagrati, Local 2544; Jeff Stewart, Local 8911; Karen Underhill, Local 882; Michael Direnzo, Local 2544; Cameron (Troy) McDougall, Local 917; Thomas Chesterman, retired staff; Germain Boudreau, retired staff.

New members of the National Executive Board

There were several departures from the Board over the summer. In keeping with the National Constitution, the following members were duly elected and sworn in:

  • Patrick Gloutney, General Vice-President representing Québec
  • Lee-Ann Kalen, General Vice-President representing the West
  • Karen Ranalletta, Regional Vice-President representing BC
  • Frédéric Brisson, Regional Vice-President representing Québec

National Convention

The National Executive Board discussed the upcoming National Convention and the worsening COVID-19 pandemic. While the convention call issued in August was for a convention to be held in-person in Vancouver, plans were being made to shift to a virtual convention should it become necessary.

The Board adopted a motion to hold a virtual National Convention using a secure online platform. The revised convention call, which has been sent to all chartered organizations, can be found online here.

National Secretary-Treasurer

Charles Fleury gave his 40th, and final, report to the National Executive Board, having earlier announced that he will not seek re-election at convention in November. He spoke of the dedication and perseverance of CUPE’s leaders, members and staff, and expressed the incredible honour it has been to serve the members of this union in his ten years as National Secretary-Treasurer. The Board thanked Charles for his decades of dedication to CUPE and the labour movement and wished him well in his retirement.

Humanitarian Support

In the wake of a devastating sequence of natural and environmental disasters that have rocked Haiti, the NEB approved a special contribution of $25,000 to the Haitian Confederation of Workers in the Public and Private Sectors (CTSP). The funds will help address the urgent and short-term needs of workers and their families, including shelter, food, water and medical supplies.

CUPE’s Environment Policy

The National Executive Board adopted an updated environmental policy in response to the deepening climate crisis. Building on our policy adopted by the Board in 2012, the new policy places even greater urgency on a bold response to the climate crisis.

The policy calls for new ways of working and living based on public, renewable sources of energy, and an end to fossil fuels. It also highlights the need for strong Just Transition programs enshrined in federal legislation to support and uplift workers and recognizes that climate change impacts racialized communities even more aggressively.

Read CUPE’s new environmental policy here.

Financial Support 

The National Executive Board approved 10 cost-share campaign requests totaling $1,007,938.81, and 7 requests for legal and arbitration support were approved, totaling $167,861.00.