Edmonton The Canadian Union of Public Employees, (CUPE) Albertas new President, Yvonne Fast said that CUPE doesnt want to get into a battle with any other union that is approaching CUPE members, but will not stand idly by and let it continue. Echoing the words of Judy Darcy, CUPEs National President at the CUPE convention in Medicine Hat, Fast stated, We dont want to go to war, but we are prepared to fight for our members. The entire organized labour movement under the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) condemns these actions and so do we. If this continues, we will be forced to become the aggressor.”
CUPE collective agreements are among the best in this province, and anything said to the contrary is absolutely false, Fast said. It serves no union well to concentrate their efforts on other unions members. The time and effort expended would be better served in dealing with current members and organizing the unorganized, not going after other unions. It is counterproductive and doesnt foster union solidarity, she said.
CUPE is Canadas largest union with over 485,000 members in public services including healthcare, education, and municipalities including the 29,000 members in Alberta.
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For more information please call Yvonne Fast at (780) 477-5523 (office).