Ottawa – The National Executive Board (NEB) of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) is meeting in Ottawa this week, and passed a resolution calling on CUPE members and all Canadians to support the Assembly of First Nations National Day of Action, planned for June 29, 2007.
Speaking on behalf of the NEB, National President Paul Moist reinforced CUPE’s nation wide support for this planned day of action in response to the crisis First Nations communities face throughout the country.
“I am proud to be the leader of Canada’s largest union and even more proud that our leadership voted unanimously to support our brothers and sisters in First Nations communities across this country in a day dedicated to promoting issues that First Nations people face.”
“CUPE’s national executive and our members in every part of Canada share the concerns expressed by First Nations Peoples and we will take our place in support of you.
Moist reinforced the importance of CUPE’s mandate to ensure that all communities have publicly funded and operated services.
“Ensuring public services are available to make communities vibrant fits right in with CUPE’s strong communities mandate,” said Moist.
“It is CUPE’s role to advocate on behalf of all communities for the very basic rights of public water, public education and child care, public health and health and safety standards and more,” added Leo Cheverie, diversity vice-president.
“On June 29th, says Moist, “we’ll support the day of action and every other day of the year we will continue to advocate on behalf of all communities who need basic public services.”
CUPE members are asked to support and attend any events and activities in their area, sign the online petition at the AFN website, wear a wristband to show support for Make Poverty History campaign, call or write MPs, the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs and the Office of the Prime Minister.
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For more information: Paul Moist, CUPE national president, 613-237-1590 ext. 224 or 613-558-2873 (cell); Leo Cheverie, CUPE diversity vice-president, 902-940-2151 (cell); Catherine Louli, CUPE communications 613 237-1590 ext. 268 or 613 851-0547 (cell)
