(Quebec City Convention) Canadas largest union has re-elected Claude Gnreux as its National Secretary-Treasurer. Gnreux, a health care worker from Quebec, has called for strong and militant action by CUPE to protect jobs and public services.
We want to send a strong message to governments and employers across the country that we will resist efforts to contract out our work or undermine our rights as workers, said Gnreux.
Confronting demands for contract concessions and privatization, CUPE members are being forced into more, longer and larger strikes and lockouts. To bolster CUPEs clout at the bargaining table and ensure that every CUPE member can count on strike pay in the event they are forced to walk the picket line, Gnreux has worked to strengthen CUPEs strike fund.
Yesterday the 1,800 convention delegates approved a special levy to build the strike fund, affirming their determination to defend their rights as workers and improve their wages and working conditions. Over the past two years, CUPE has paid more than $34 million in strike pay and benefits to members.
Gnreux has served one term as national secretary-treasurer, working alongside Judy Darcy who is leaving CUPEs top post at the end of this week. He was elected to a second term without opposition, joining CUPEs newly elected National President, Paul Moist.
The CUPE convention continues at the Quebec Convention Centre until Friday. The convention will be addressed tomorrow by federal NDP leader Jack Layton.
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For more information:
Kaj Hasselriis, CUPE Communications, 613-798-6925