At the transportation sector meeting on Sunday, automation and health and safety emerged as the big issues for CUPE members. Delegates received an update on the fight against privatisation in Quebec with the Réseau électrique métropolitain (REM) project. The REM project does not provide solutions to environmental or user concerns in the way a public transportation project would. The REM was described as a white elephant conceived on a false pretense of financial performance.
In addition to automation, the forum addressed health and safety concerns including warnings about the upheavals that cannabis legalisation is likely to bring. Members can expect a full range of laws, regulations and policies to be passed on these issues. As unionists, we need to be ready to adapt and to prevent potential abusive procedures from employers.