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WHEREAS the working conditions, wages and pensions of thousands of workers are at stake as a result of Stelco Inc. filing for protection under the Companies Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA);
WHEREAS gutting collective agreements and reduced living standards will not solve the crisis at Stelco Inc.;
WHEREAS the United Steelworkers is leading a historic struggle to protect the rights of workers and their pensions while Stelco Inc. restructures under bankruptcy protection;
WHEREAS the struggle of the United Steelworkers is similar to the struggle CUPE members are facing at Air Canada;
BE IT RESOLVED that CUPE’s National Executive Board, on behalf of all CUPE members, extend CUPE’s solidarity and support to the United Steelworkers in their militant defence of workers’ rights at Stelco Inc.; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that CUPE help mobilize full CUPE participation in the upcoming USWA fightback demonstration to be held in Copps Coliseum in Hamilton on May 1, 2004; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that CUPE communicate to CUPE members across the country about the situation at Stelco Inc. and call for messages of support for the members of USWA;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that CUPE work with the USWA, the CLC, and all other CLC affiliate unions to win legislated and other protections for workers when employers file for bankruptcy protection;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that CUPE actively support the Private Member’s Bill C-474 introduced in Parliament by NDP MP Pat Martin (seconded by Liberal Hamilton East MP Sheila Copps) that seeks to rank the unpaid wages (including severance and pension payments) first priority in any bankruptcy proceedings. Adopted at the National Executive Board on March 17th, 2004