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October is Library Month in Canada, and we’re celebrating CUPE library workers and the invaluable services they provide. Libraries are not just buildings that hold books. There is so much that goes on within their walls thanks to the passion, skill, and creativity of library workers! Read some of their stories.

CUPE came into existence at its founding convention in Winnipeg on September 24, 1963. CUPE was created out of a merger of two large public sector unions following negotiations that took close to six years. The new union represented approximately 78,000 workers.

It has been a long, hot summer, both from a climate perspective and at bargaining tables across the country. In June, I reported on locals who were facing hard bargaining and difficult employers, who responded with strike votes and job action, and winning good contracts as a result. That persisted throughout the summer, and we continue to resist concessions and two-tier proposals and secure good deals with gains for our members, including real wage increases.

On CUPE’s 60th anniversary, we’re looking back at the importance and impact of our international solidarity work. From day one, building alliances with labour and social movements in other countries has been a priority for our union.

Take a look at this short video entitled Judy Darcy: Forever on the front line, produced in 2003.

Join us on a journey back in time, as we go back to 1964. Have a look at CUPE’s very first publication, The Journal. It was published in both official languages, in October 1964, one year after CUPE’s founding convention in September 1963.