CUPE Saskatchewan convention to be held March 8-10 in Saskatoon
[Sep 22, 2006 02:39 PM]
For Immediate Release:
March 2, 2006
REGINA: Over 150 members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees will be gathering next week in Saskatoon for their union's provincial convention. The 41st annual convention of CUPE Saskatchewan will be held March 8 - 10 at the Delta Bessborough Hotel.
Delegates will debate 36 resolutions that address a variety of issues such as occupational health and safety, pay equity, business tax cuts and privatization. Delegates will also consider a resolution calling for the establishment of a "Woodrow Lloyd Award for Collective Action" to recognize the former Saskatchewan premier's vital role in implementing Medicare.
CUPE National President Paul Moist will address the convention delegates on March 8. On the same day, Polaris Institute director Tony Clarke will deliver a presentation on the privatization of water services in Canada and around the world.
Delegates will participate in an International Women's Day rally at 12:15 p.m. on March 8 outside Saskatoon City Hall. Participants in the rally, co-sponsored by the Early Learning Child Care Coalition, will protest the Harper government's cancellation of the bilateral child care agreements and renew the demand for federal and provincial pay equity legislation.
David Forbes, the new Minister of Labour, will make his first presentation to a CUPE Saskatchewan convention on March 9. His speech will be followed by a question and answer session with delegates.
Other guest speakers will include Claude Généreux, CUPE National Secretary-Treasurer, and Larry Hubich, president of the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour.
Elections will be held for the positions of president, secretary treasurer and several other executive and committee positions.
The following is a brief outline of some convention highlights:
Wednesday, March 8
9:00 a.m. Greetings - Larry Hubich, SFL President
9:30 a.m. CUPE Saskatchewan President's Address - Tom Graham
11:00 a.m. Privatization of Water presentation - Tony Clarke, Polaris Institute
12:15 p.m. Rally for Child Care and Pay Equity - Saskatoon City Hall
1:45 p.m. CUPE National President's Address - Paul Moist
3:00 p.m. The Pains of Health Care Privatization presentation - Barb Burke, HEU
Thursday, March 9
11:00 a.m. Crystal Meth presentation - Joseph Dojack, United Way
2:00 p.m. Presentation and Questions - David Forbes, Minister of Labour
Friday, March 10
9:00 a.m. National Secretary-Treasurer's Address - Claude Généreux
CUPE is the largest union in the province, representing over 26,000 public sector employees who work at health care facilities, school boards, municipalities, universities, libraries and community-based organizations.
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For more information contact Tom Graham, CUPE Saskatchewan President, at 229-8171 or Guy Marsden, Executive Assistant, at 757-1009 or, starting March 7, at the Delta Bessborough's Carlton Room at 244-5521, extension 6958.
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