From Ed Sheeran to Wilson Phillips: Convention Day 3

The 51st annual convention wrapped with a fun morning of debate, discussion and music trivia! Brother Mark Hancock ran elections and several rounds of trivia as delegates waited for ballots to be counted.

Delegates elected:

  • Sherry Hillier, President
  • Erin Woodfine, Vice President
  • Teresa Gillam, Recording Secretary
  • Greg Rockwood, Executive Officer
  • Kim Mosher, Trusteee

The resolutions committee took the floor to present the following resolutions for consideration by delegates:

  • #11 OH&S – CARRIED
  • #12 Day of Mourning – CARRIED
  • #28 Food Banks – CARRIED
  • #29 Regularization of Migrants – CARRIED
  • #30 Human Trafficking – CARRIED
  • #27 Removal of HST – CARRIED
  • #14 Affordable Housing – CARRIED
  • #15 Health Care Recruitment – CARRIED
  • #16 US Tariffs – CARRIED
  • #17 We are Canadian – CARRIED
  • #25  Political Action Workshops – CARRIED
  • #31 Temporart Foreign Workers/Migrant Workers – CARRIED

The CUPE Newfoundland & Labrador executive thanks all delegates for their contribution to this year’s convention. Let us continue building solidarity for the future!

From Birthdays to Resolutions: Convention Day 2

The second day of our annual convention started with remarks from National President Mark Hancock, who joined CUPE Newfoundland & Labrador on his 60th birthday. He spoke to delegates about the recent federal election, which he called “a moment of fear, division, and uncertainty,” but that “workers just like us have fought for a better life and a better workplace,” encouraging delegates and attendees to remember what we can achieve together as trade unionists.

Secretary-Treasurer Candace Rennick spoke to delegates about this year’s historic budget, which will allow for increased staff support, campaign funding and strike pay.

Both National Officers thanked the CUPE Newfoundland & Labrador division executive, members of the national executive board, staff and members for another strong year of fighting for workers’ rights and high-quality public services. Brother Hancock and Sister Rennick joined delegates for a sponsored lunch and discussion.

Guest speakers today included Jim Dinn, MHA and NDP leader, and Danielle Sampson, Atlantic Regional Director for the Canadian Labour Congress.

“Liberals in this province have a history of not helping workers, and instead tipping the balance in favour of employers, not workers—that’s balance to them.” – Jim Dinn, Newfoundland & Labrador NDP leader

Delegates also heard presentations from Political Action Coordinator Govind Rao and Atlantic Regional Director Tracey Pinder, as well as updates on municipal sector bargaining and provincial bargaining from national representatives Tom O’Leary and Nicole Dunphy, respectively.

Reports were presented by the Human Rights Committee, Pensions Committee, Health and Safety Committee, and Global Justice Committee.

Discussion and debate came to the floor as the Constitution and Resolutions Committees brought forth the following:

Constitutional Amendments:

  • #1 Establish a Young Workers Committee – REFERRED
  • #2 Amending Article 4m – CARRIED
  • #3 Regarding book-off time for the president – CARRIED
  • #4 Amending Articles 9d 8 and 9 – CARRIED
  • #5 Amending Article 10 – CARRIED

Resolutions:

  • #2 Pension Awareness – CARRIED
  • #3 Pension Status – CARRIED
  • #4 CPP Investment – CARRIED
  • #18 Menstrual Equity – CARRIED

The following resolutions were withdrawn:

  • #1 Regarding digital forms
  • # 22 Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA)
  • #23 Workplace Violence
  • #26 Naloxone Kits

From Sun to Snow: Convention Day 1

The first day of CUPE Newfoundland & Labrador’s 51st annual convention had a packed agenda, with a number of presentations from committees, members and CUPE staff.

The day began with a smudging ceremony led by Debra Merrier, Diversity Vice President for Indigenous Workers, and a blessing and remarks from Marie Eastman, Knowledge Keeper from the Qalipu Nation, about the meaning and importance of Red Dress Day, the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People (annually on May 5th).

Delegates came forward to share the names of members who have passed away in the last year, and all convention attendees observed a moment of silence to honour the memory of union siblings we have lost.

Those named are:

Richard Kelly, Local 2099
Cedric Kanes, Local 4938
Jerry Weymouth, Local 2033
Bert Bennett, Local 2033
Walter “Harold” Thompson, Local 4386
Tammy Boland, Local 1615
Howard Sharpe, Local 1349
Tobias White, Local 488
Sherry Juneja, Local 879

. 

CUPE NL president Sherry Hillier made remarks to delegates, sharing her thanks to former Vice President Mike Tobin, sharing photos and highlights from the past year, and speaking to the issues facing working people across Newfoundland & Labrador, including the housing crisis, contracting out and privatization of public services, and the recent federal election.

Guest speakers included provincial Federation of Labour President Jessica McCormick, politician and activist Mary Shortall, and Canadian Labour Congress President Bea Bruske.

Delegates also heard reports from the Treasurer, Trustees and the Contracting Out & Privatization Committee, who announced the 2025 Contracting Out & Privatization Conference, taking place from September 6-7 in Corner Brook.

Presentations were also made by Adrienne Silnicki, CUPE’s Managing Director of National Services on the recent Colour of Privatization Report, the CUPE Atlantic and Maritimes Indigenous Council (CAMIC), CUPE Senior Communications Officer Matthew Stella on digital tool Action Network, as well as Diversity Vice Presidents Debra Merrier and Aubrey Gonsalves (Black and Racialized Workers), who spoke about CUPE’s anti-racism strategy.

The Resolutions Committee brought several resolutions to the convention floor, and delegates enjoyed discussion and debate on the following resolutions:

  • #5 Public Private Partnerships – CARRIED
  • #6 Education on P3s – CARRIED
  • #7 Anti Scab Legislation – CARRIED
  • #8 Transparency Legislation – CARRIED
  • #21 Truth and Reconciliation Day – CARRIED
  • #24 Equality Statement – CARRIED
  • #13 Privatization – CARRIED

PROGRAM CHANGE: 2025 Atlantic Weeklong School at The Wilds!

After consultation with our members in both provinces and further consideration of requests from locals for more education opportunities on stewarding and grievance handling, STREAM 1 has been changed. 

See the new program information below:

UPDATED: STREAM 1 –ADVANCED STEWARDING & GRIEVANCE HANDLING BOOTCAMP
Here we discuss the best ways to engage with and help our fellow members, from guiding them through adjusting to a new workplace to supporting them through the grievance process.

STREAM 2 – WORKING IN A HEALTHY AND SAFE ENVIRONMENT
Ensuring we work in a safe and healthy environment, with courses from the Health & Safety Series such as: Law & Orders, Violence Prevention, Workload and Overwork.

STREAM 3 – STRENGTHENING THE LABOUR MOVEMENT: INSIDE AND OUT
How we strengthen our internal solidarity, with courses from the Steward Learning Series, for instance: Ally Skills, Mobilizing and Duty of Fair Representation.

Download a printable registration form here.

SCENT-FREE: Everyone in attendance is asked to refrain from using scented products while attending our workshops and meetings.

TRAVEL & ACCOMMODATION: If you wish to do so, WE Travel is available to manage your flight bookings. Please contact them directly at flights.vancouver@weuniontravel.ca or via phone at 1-833-778-9669. Accommodations will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. There are double and single occupancy hotel rooms as well as a limited number of 1-bedroom Villas available. NOTE: ACCOMMODATIONS MUST BE BOOKED THROUGH W.E. TRAVEL USING THIS LINK: wetravel.eventsair.com/cupe/atlantic-weeklong-school-jun-2025

MEALS: Please note on the registration form any dietary restrictions you require. All meals will be provided at The Wilds and are covered by your registration fee.

GENERAL INFORMATION: All participants are expected to attend the Sunday welcoming and the Thursday banquet. We suggest that participants arrive on Sunday, June 22, between 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm. On-site registration will take place on Sunday from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm, and the welcome reception dinner will be from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm.

CUPE Atlantic Political Action Webinar

This federal election is one of the most important in quite some time.  Protecting our social programs, increasing affordability and even our future as an independent country is at stake.   The result will greatly shape the next four years.  

Join a special CUPE Atlantic Political Action Webinar that will look at the results of the election and what it means for workers.  What does it tell us about where Canadian politics is at this moment in time, and what lessons can workers take from the results to apply to future elections and campaigns?  What do you think of the result and what our next steps as a labour movement should be?

We will be joined by Chris Roberts from the Canadian Labour Congress (National Director, Social and Economic Policy) who will provide analysis of the election and answer your questions.  Govind Rao, Political Action Coordinator (CUPE Atlantic) will moderate and provide a summary of the results for Atlantic Canada.

Registration now open: 2025 Atlantic Weeklong School at The Wilds!

Registration for the 2025 Atlantic Weeklong School at The Wilds is now open! The Atlantic Weeklong School is an excellent opportunity for CUPE members in Nova Scotia or Newfoundland & Labrador to connect and receive training. We don’t want to risk anything we’re fighting for!

Given the political climate, and for that reason and many others, this semester the CUPE Weeklong School is poised to tackle:

STREAM 1 – USING OUR POWER AT ELECTION TIME (AND BEYOND): POLITICAL ENGAGEMENT TRAINING *NEW*
Here we will discuss our deep concerns about our democracy and how we can resist passivity by shoring up our base. You will learn some basic economic concepts about how the economy works, and how to challenge everyday assumptions about economics to support demands for a government and an economy that is inclusive, works for workers, and leaves no one behind.

STREAM 2 – WORKING IN A HEALTHY AND SAFE ENVIRONMENT
Ensuring we work in a safe and healthy environment, with courses from the Health & Safety Series such as: Law & Orders, Violence Prevention, Workload and Overwork.

STREAM 3 – STRENGTHENING THE LABOUR MOVEMENT: INSIDE AND OUT
How we strengthen our internal solidarity, with courses from the Steward Learning Series, for instance: Ally Skills, Mobilizing and Duty of Fair Representation.

Download the brochure to share with your local here. Download a printable registration form here.

SCENT-FREE: Everyone in attendance is asked to refrain from using scented products while attending our workshops and meetings.

TRAVEL & ACCOMMODATION: If you wish to do so, WE Travel is available to manage your flight bookings. Please contact them directly at flights.vancouver@weuniontravel.ca or via phone at 1-833-778-9669. Accommodations will be assigned on a first-come-first-served basis. There are double and single occupancy hotel rooms as well as a limited number of 1-bedroom Villas
available. NOTE: ACCOMMODATIONS MUST BE BOOKED THROUGH W.E. TRAVEL USING THIS LINK: wetravel.eventsair.com/cupe/atlantic-weeklong-school-jun-2025

MEALS: Please note on the registration form any dietary restrictions you require. All meals will be provided at The Wilds and are covered by your registration fee.

GENERAL INFORMATION: All participants are expected to attend the Sunday welcoming and Thursday banquet. We suggest that participants arrive on Sunday, June 22, between 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm. On-site registration will take place on Sunday from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm, and the welcome reception dinner will be from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm.

CUPE Atlantic Political Education Webinar on the American Tariff War with Canada

Join us on March 19th at 7pm (in NL) and 6:30pm (in Nova Scotia) for a CUPE Atlantic Political Education Webinar on the American Tariff War with Canada.

We’ll be discussing recent events and what Labour’s response should be to this threat to Canada’s Economy and Sovereignty. Sister Jessica McCormick, the President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour will join CUPE’s

Political Action Coordinator Govind Rao.  Some of the questions we’ll address:

  • Why is this happening?
  • What will it mean for wages, jobs, and Canada’s future?
  • What is the Labour Movement’s strategy for defeating this threat?

Use this link to join the webinar on March 19th via Zoom: https://bit.ly/41JLWAE

Brought to you by CUPE NL, CUPE NS and CUPE Votes

CUPE NL in Montréal!

CUPE Newfoundland & Labrador delegates had a great week in Montréal at the CUPE National Young Workers and Building Strong Locals conferences! Delagates attended skills building sessions, panels and affirmed the Montréal Declaration.

Sign up for email updates (➡️ on a desktop computer or ⬇️ on mobile) to learn more about CUPE National and CUPE Newfoundland & Labrador events!