CUPE National Secretary-Treasurer Candace Rennick praised the strength of CUPE members in her address to the 2025 Convention and urged them to rise up together to meet the challenges ahead..
“Friends, there is no question we are meeting at a frightening and dangerous time,” Rennick said. “But CUPE members everywhere are refusing to accept the way things are. They are demanding better, and not just for themselves.”
“Across the country, members are demanding social justice—laws, policies and government budgets that put people ahead of profit,” Rennick said. “And to win, CUPE and the entire labour movement must act with strength, unity and unwavering solidarity.” She pointed to inspiring initiatives from locals and divisions across the country, including the recent strike at Air Canada and many other large and small actions and political victories.
Supporting members’ bold action is CUPE’s solid financial position and the political will to spend on the things that make winning possible. “We do not support and defend our members by stockpiling surpluses,” Rennick said. “We do it by spending wisely and effectively where it’s most needed.” With $243 million in combined assets across the General, Defence and Strike Funds, Rennick assured members that CUPE is prepared to back them where it counts: “We are well positioned to take on the tough challenges we will face at the bargaining table and beyond.”
The union’s financial strength has allowed many improvements for members, including the addition of 96 new permanent staff positions to work with locals, an increase in campaign resources available to locals, new resources invested in organizing, and an improvement to strike pay indemnities for the members who have to take that bold step.
Rennick finished with a promise, “We will keep winning. Because we are united. We are courageous. We are on strong financial footing. We are ready. And we are just getting started.”