CUPE social services workers from across the country will converge on our nation’s capital this fall to discuss and develop strategies to the many challenges facing the sector. The meeting will be held November 21-23, 2007 at the Ottawa Marriott in the heart of downtown Ottawa. This exciting initiative builds upon CUPE’s major strategic policy paper from our 2005 National Convention.
Please note: To register for the conference download the registration form (PDF) and return it by October 22, 2007. There is no registration fee, but locals are responsible for their delegates’ other costs: hotels, lost wages, travel, etc.
Against a backdrop of workplace restructuring and chronic underfunding, social services workers strive to support and improve the lives of many marginalized people. Daily they confront hard issues, work with vulnerable people, and deal with limited resources. Add to this more than a decade of government funding cuts and restructuring, and a further funding cutback of $1 billion announced by the federal government. This has a devastating impact on the people who rely on social services and the jobs and working conditions of those who provide vital services.
The meeting will provide a platform to share experiences, choose priorities, and develop strategies for working together and advancing our issues in our workplaces, locals and regions – making ourselves heard! It will be a significant step forward in sharing strategies and experiences, and developing a stronger knowledge base as we work to strengthen wages, working conditions and public services in our regions.
When social services workers come together to discuss their working conditions, the living conditions of those who depend upon social services, and the challenges of a changing political and economic climate, there will be a positive impact in our union, workplaces and communities.
