CUPE Newfoundland Labrador

Today was the last day of the 50^th annual CUPE Newfoundland & Labrador convention! After a wonderful banquet dinner marking the 50^th anniversary of CUPE NL delegates gathered for an election forum and heard from delegates coming forward for executive positions.

     
Delegates also heard from the Resolutions Committee and Constitution Committee, and our Canadian Labour Congress Representative for Newfoundland & Labrador, Kelly Codner.  Speaking to Why Politics Matter, the convention theme, Sister Codner talked about the work the CLC has done in holding all parties accountable to workers in our province—and across Canada—and the plans to fight for working people in the political sphere.

Finally, three executive positions were up for election, and the following delegates were acclaimed:

• Natalie Webber, Executive Officer
• Erin Woodfine, Executive Officer
• Stacey Lucas, Secretary-Treasurer
• Mike Tobin, Vice-President

Danielle Payne (below, right) and Crystal Kierney (below, left) and were nominated for the position of Three-Year Trustee, and while ballots were collected, CUPE PEI President Ashley Clark led the room in a jovial round of Solidarity Forever.

   
Your CUPE NL Executive are:

• Sherry Hillier (Local 879), President
• Mike Tobin (Local 879), Vice-President
• Theresa Gillam (Local 4935), Recording Secretary
• Eileen Morgan (Local 488), Trustee
• Suzanne Hiron (Local 3148), Trustee
• Stacey Lucas (Local 2329), Secretary Treasurer
• Natalie Webber (Local 1615), Executive Officer
• Erin Woodfine (Local 1289), Executive Officer
• Brandice Blanchard (Local 4935), Diversity Vice-President
• Stephanie LeGrow (Local 3762), Diversity Vice-President
• Trevor Carson (Local 4935), Young Worker
• Danielle Payne (Local 879), Three-Year Trustee

Our thanks to delegates for a wonderful 2024 convention. We are so proud to be celebrating 50 years of fighting for working people in Newfoundland & Labrador.

(Back row, left to right: Name, Trevor Carson, Eileen Morgan, Brandice Blanchard, Stephanie LeGrow, Danielle Payne. Front row, left to right: Natalie Webber, Mike Tobin, Sherry Hillier, Stacey Lucas, Theresa Morgan.)

The second day of our 50^th annual convention started bright and early with a breakfast meeting sponsored by National President Mark Hancock and National Secretary-Treasurer Candace Rennick who also participated in a Q&A with delegates.

   
Today’s full agenda continued with rousing presentations by guest speakers including provincial NDP leader Jim Dinn, President of the federal NDP Mary Shortall, and Yolanda McClean, the Secretary-Treasurer of CUPE Ontario, who spoke about the Women in Leadership Development (WILD) program.

       
Brandice Blanchard, member of the CUPE Atlantic Maritimes Indigenous Council (CAMIC), addressed the plenary speaking to the work vital CAMIC does to support our Indigenous – First Nations, Métis, and Inuit members.

   
Delegates also enjoyed a screening of Bargaining Forward, the newly released documentary exploring the strategic mobilization and organizing work which culminated in a powerful province-wide strike involving 22,000 public sector workers in New Brunswick in 2021, followed by comments from CUPE New Brunswick President Stephen Drost.

      National International Solidarity Representative Kelti Cameron presented the newly launched Temporary foreign workers in our union: A solidarity and action guide to the plenary. The guide includes eight specific actions that members, locals, and divisions can implement to support fellow workers and members with precarious immigration status and spoke to the absolutely critical nature of this work in strengthening the labour movement.

Three resolutions and eight constitutional amendments were debated on the convention floor, with the following results:

• Resolution #5: On cost-of-living adjustments – PASSED
• Resolution #16: Safe Drinking Water – PASSED
• Constitutional Amendment #1: On the Equality Statement – PASSED
• Constitutional Amendment #3: To Article 7 – Duties of Officers and Trustees – PASSED
• Constitutional Amendment #4: To Article 7 – Duties of Officers and Trustees – PASSED
• Constitutional Amendment #5: To Article 7 – Duties of Officers and Trustees – PASSED
• Constitutional Amendment #6: To Article 9 – Finance – PASSED
• Constitutional Amendment #7: To Article 9 – Finance – PASSED
• Constitutional Amendment #8: Adding the Code of Conduct – PASSED

Resolution #1: Hybrid was withdrawn, and Constitutional Amendment #2: To Article 4 – Conventions was defeated.

The day’s agenda wrapped with a report from Atlantic Regional Director Tracey Pinder, who spoke to the theme of this year’s convention: Why Politics Matter, reminding delegates about the importance of being politically engaged, and how that connects to our union activism. She also introduced Resource Staff and Servicing Representatives from the Atlantic Regional Office.

   
Several delegates were also presented prizes won at the breakfast meeting and through a raffle sponsored by Higgins Insurance. The generously donated prizes included an $800 travel voucher, laptop, and cafe gift cards.

Also today, elections were held for three new positions on the CUPE NL executive, as decided by members at last year’s convention.

The Black, Racialized and Indigenous Workers Caucus elected Brandice Blanchard (furthest left) of Local 4935 as Diversity Vice-President.

The People with Disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ and Women Workers Caucus elected Stephanie LeGrow (immediate left) as a second Diversity Vice-President.

Trevor Carson of Local 4935 was elected as Young Worker by the Young Workers Caucus (third from right, below).

The 50^th annual CUPE Newfoundland & Labrador convention kicked off today with much fanfare; delegates enjoyed music from the St. John’s Mi’kmaq Women’s Circle, sang Happy Birthday to National President Mark Hancock, and got the first glimpse of our brand new CUPE NL trailer which will be touring the province this summer.

    Along with first-day fun, there were also several engaging discussions as delegates took to the convention floor to discuss the following resolutions:

• Resolution #2: Truth and Reconciliation Day – PASSED
• Resolution #3: On educating members on the dangers of privatization – PASSED
• Resolution #4: On funding public for public libraries – PASSED

• Resolution #6: On contracting out of public services – PASSED
• Resolution #7: On public housing – PASSED
• Resolution #8: On by-stander training for members – PASSED
• Resolution #9: On CUPE NL services for persons with disabilities – PASSED

• Resolution #10: On CUPE NL’s participation in a Just Transition – PASSED
• Resolution #11: On climate literacy – PASSED
• Resolution #12: CUPE Truth and Reconciliation Strategy – PASSED
• Resolution #13: Drag Story Time – PASSED

• Resolution #14: Free Menstrual Hygiene Products – PASSED
• Resolution #15: Health Care Privatization – PASSED
• Resolution #17: On recruitment in acute care and long-term care facilities – PASSED

National President Mark Hancock and National Secretary-Treasurer Candace Rennick also addressed the convention today, speaking to hard-won victories in labour in the face of austerity, privatization, and the growing influence of the far-right.

   
Delegates also heard reports from division President Sherry Hillier, the Credentials Committees, Treasurer and Trustee. Guest speakers included CLC Secretary-Treasurer Lily Chang, Federation of Labour President Jessica McCormick.

       
Finally, all present took time today to acknowledge those whom we have lost in the last year. Delegates were invited to name members in their locals who have passed on, and a moment of silence was observed.

May 5^th is Red Dress Day also known as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People. The day serves to raise awareness and honour the memory of Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit people who have gone missing or have been murdered in Canada. The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People crisis in Canada refers to the disproportionately high rates of violence, disappearance, and murder among Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people. The crisis has been ongoing for decades and is a direct result of systemic racism, colonialism, and gender-based violence.

The CUPE Atlantic Maritime Indigenous Council (CAMIC) encourages all CUPE members to use this day as an opportunity to either attend an awareness community event or to read the final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls: Home Page  Final Report | MMIWG (mmiwgffada.ca). Taking time to educate ourselves can lead to a better understanding of the challenges faced by Indigenous people in Canada and across the globe, and help non-Indigenous individuals become more effective allies.   

People are also encouraged to wear a red dress, display red dresses in public spaces and workplaces, support local Indigenous artists that make Red Dress items such as earrings and pins, or simply wearing any red item that can bring awareness to the issue.

Join us in remembering and supporting Indigenous communities today and everyday.

For inquiries or questions, please email: cupe.atl.mar.indigenous.council@gmail.com.

In Solidarity,
CAMIC members,
Brandice Blanchard, Vice-Chair for the CUPE Atlantic Maritime Indigenous Council

Download a copy of this letter: ENGLISH or FRANÇAIS

Ashley Clark, CUPE Prince Edward Island President
Stephen Drost, CUPE New Brunswick President
Nan McFadgen, CUPE Nova Scotia President
Sherry Hillier, CUPE Newfoundland Labrador President
Marc Surette, Local 1078
Jody MacDonald, Local 1122 Sonia Gibbs, Local 2745
Janice Melanson, Local 2079
Jason St-Onge, NBCNHUJill Greene, Local 2162
Tammy Devault, Local 1303
Cindy Lavoie, Local 889
Nicole LeBlanc, Local 833
Lorn Martin, Local 4882
Vicky Nadeau, Local 2872
Jinny Boulet, Local 2872
Sylvie Godbout, Local 3013
Sylvie Levesque, Local 3013
Annick LeBel, Local 889
Stéphane LeBlanc, Local 1159
Jennifer Barton, Local 3013
Mélanie M. Albert, Local 2872
Carole Martin, Local 2872
Chantal Lavoie, Local 4630
France Ruest, Local 4630
Natalie Poirier, Local 1159
Shirley Basque, Local 1078
Noreen Allain, Local 1078
Cassandra Ackerson, Local 1418
Jenny G. Thériault, Local 1418
Jackie Parish, Local 908.1
Tanya Murray, Local 908.1
Nicole Chiasson, Local 908.1
Réal Allain, Local 1078
Nicole Allain, Local 1078
Barbara MacNaughton, Local 1418
Guylaine Caron, Local 2745
Lisa Bell, Local 908.6
Sonny Levasseur, Local 2745
Terry Rodger, Local 1062
Manon Francoeur, Local 5108
Yvonne Morneault, Local 5108
Jacqueline Nieuwets-Lagendijk, Local 2745
Ginette Gauvin, Local 2745
Lisa Cameron, Local 2745
Hope Cyr, Local 5446
Marie-Line Côté Duguay, Local 2745
Christianne Robichaud, Local 2745
Shelley Veysey, Local 2745
Marilyn MacCormack, Local 2745
Jan Underhill, Local 2745
Rachel Chiasson, Local 833
Mélissa G. Drapeau, Local 2745
Sharon Teare, Local 2116
Tiffany Doucet, Local 506
Jamie Agnew, Local 963
Lisa Vincent, Local 963
Joanne Desrosiers, Local 1418
Annie Mallet, Local 1418
Jannick Laforest, Local 1418
Tasha Palmer, Local 1506
Stephen Boyd, Local 550
Andrew Mercuri, Local 1418
Laura Stewart, Local 4919
Tammy Gorton, Local 4940
Eileen Shea, Local 2094
Jess Haley, Local 1431
Janet MacDonald, Local 1082
Dawn Vardy, Local 1259
Tammy Jakeman, Local 5047
Edwina Donovan, Local 1082
Cecia Huang, Local 1870
Kathy Johnson, Local 5446
Crystal Pascon, Local 2464
Shawna Morton, Local 1418
Kim Davidson, Local 861

Have you been thinking about getting more involved with CUPE but haven’t been sure where to start?

Have you been involved for years but want to sharpen your skills or get a quick refresh?

We have classes for you! CUPE is running six classes for CUPE NL members in April. They’re open to all CUPE NL members so register today!

April 9 – St. John’s Area Office – Leading as a Team – 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
https://cupe.ca/mrm-union-education/event/7421

April 10 – Online – Introduction to Stewarding (Part 1) – 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
https://cupe.ca/mrm-union-education/event/7557

April 11 – St. John’s Area Office – Conflict Ready Executives – 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
https://cupe.ca/mrm-union-education/event/7422

April 13 – St. John’s Area Office – Financial Essentials – 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
https://cupe.ca/mrm-union-education/event/7548

April 14 – St. John’s Area Office – Financial Officers – 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
https://cupe.ca/mrm-union-education/event/7549

April 17 – Online – Introduction to Stewarding (Part 2) – 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
https://cupe.ca/mrm-union-education/event/7560

CUPE Newfoundland and Labrador was happy to see such an amazing turnout for VOCM Cares’ Pack the Pub event over the weekend that raised money for the Community Food Sharing Association. As a sponsor of the event, we are thrilled that so many families will now have access to more support in their time of need. For anyone who was unable to attend or would like to offer a new donation, VOCM Cares is accepting donations through the end of the week at https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/98254.