CUPE NL shows support for Air Canada flight attendants

To CUPE members in Newfoundland & Labrador:

Your fellow union members working for Air Canada have been issued lock out notice as of yesterday morning. The employer served lock out notice after receiving workers’ strike notice.

As we all know, job action is one of our greatest tools as trade unionists—this is how we leverage our power as workers. This lock out is a direct attack on our right to collective action.

This is a direct attack on members of your union, and therefore it is a direct attack against you. We strongly encourage CUPE members to send a letter to your elected representative in support of workers’ right to strike.

I encourage every CUPE member in our province to show their support for Air Canada workers. Here are some ways you can take action:

SEND A LETTER OF SUPPORT TO YOUR FELLOW MEMBERS

Send a message of solidarity to your fellow union members facing a possible lockout. Please send to Wesley Lesosky, president of CUPE’s Air Canada Division, at w.lesosky@accomponent.com.

DEMAND AIR CANADA RESPECT WORKERS’ RIGHTS

Visit unfaircanada.com and send a letter to Air Canada demanding they negotiate fairly and end unpaid work!

SEND A LETTER TO YOUR MP

Write your MP and ask government not to intervene, to let the parties negotiate a fair and equitable agreement. Below we have provided a template letter for CUPE members to sign and send to your elected representative.

You can find a list of MPs (and their contact information) here: https://www.ourcommons.ca/members/en/search.

In Solidarity,

Sherry Hillier
President, CUPE Newfoundland & Labrador

PDF for printable version

Need help writing your email? Use the sample text below.

Dear [insert name of MP],

I am a resident of [insert name of electoral district or riding]. I am one of your constituents, and I am also a CUPE member.

I am writing to indicate my support of employees of Air Canada and their rights as workers and as union members. Workers must be able maintain their right to exercise their freedom of association, and I support my fellow union members in carrying out their collective bargaining and collective job action rights.

CUPE members should have the right to negotiate without government interference.

As my elected representative, I ask that you stand in solidarity with Air Canada employees and support their rights as workers, to freedom of association, collective negotiations, and strike action.

In Solidarity,

[Firstname Lastname]
[CUPE Local #]
[Postal Code]

For Immediate Release: CUPE NL Stands in Solidarity with Air Canada Flight Attendants

St. John’s, NL – CUPE Newfoundland and Labrador stands in solidarity with flight attendants employed by Air Canada and demands the government respect their right to strike.

“It’s absolutely disgraceful that so much necessary and vital work flight attendants do before and after each and every flight is unpaid,” said CUPE Newfoundland and Labrador President Sherry Hillier. “No one should be working for free. Full stop.”

Flight attendants are only paid when the plane is moving, and work as many as 35 unpaid hours a week performing vital duties that ensure the safe and smooth operation of each flight. Now, instead of paying flight attendants for the work they do, Air Canada is threatening to lock out their employees and disrupt the travel plans of thousands of Canadians.

Our elected representatives must support workers’ rights to free and fair negotiations and collective job action. These rights are protected under both federal and provincial legislation and have been affirmed by the Supreme Court of Canada. If our lawmakers at the highest level have determined the right to strike to be “indispensable,” Air Canada must respect that.

“Air Canada is manufacturing a crisis instead of coming to the table and bargaining in good faith,” continued Hillier. “It’s clear they hope the federal government will step in just like they did with Canada Post and force flight attendants back to work. We can’t let that happen. We need to stand with flight attendants, as we do with all workers, and protect our Charter guaranteed right to strike.”

For more information, please contact:

Sherry Hillier President,
CUPE Newfoundland & Labrador
709-765-2996

Taylor Johnston
CUPE Atlantic Communications Representative
tjohnston@cupe.ca

Haseena Manek
CUPE Atlantic Communications Representative
hmanek@cupe.ca

:so/cope491

CUPE NL stands in solidarity with communities facing wildfire threats

We are deeply concerned about the ongoing wildfires affecting parts of Newfoundland and the impact this crisis is having on individuals, families, and communities throughout the province.

Our thoughts are with all those who have been displaced or affected by the fires, as well as with the first responders and emergency personnel who are working tirelessly under dangerous conditions to protect lives and property.

We want to reassure our members that we are monitoring the situation closely. For those who have been impacted or are in areas at risk, please prioritize your safety and follow all directives from local authorities.

If you or your family have been directly affected and are in need of support, please don’t hesitate to reach out to CUPE NL, we are here to help connect you with available resources and services.

During this time of uncertainty and hardship, we are reminded of the strength and resilience of Newfoundland communities. We stand in solidarity with all those affected and will continue to support recovery efforts however we can.

Please stay safe and take care of one another.

Sherry Hillier

President, CUPE NL

Do you want to be a member facilitator?

The CUPE National Union Education Branch is recruiting for our member facilitator program. Member facilitators are a vital part of CUPE’s education program and regularly deliver a variety of workshops to fellow members all over the country.

We need your help to find candidates in Newfoundland & Labrador! We’re looking for member facilitators from every sector and from all over the province.

Interested applicants should:

  • Have experience being active in their local (either as a steward, on a committee, as an activist, or as a member of the local executive)
  • Have been a participant in a CUPE workshop
  • Be comfortable speaking in front of groups
  • Represent CUPE’s diversity – Indigenous, Black, racialized, differently abled, 2SLGBTQIA+, women, and young workers
  • Be available to facilitate a few times a year, including weekdays and weekends

While this is not a paid position, CUPE covers expenses and lost wages when members are facilitating.

Please share the application form with members who you think would make a good member facilitator. Thanks for your help with this important work!

Training for member facilitators will take place in December 2025 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. In order to be considered for this training, members should submit their completed application form via email to: education@cupe.ca by August 14, 2025.

For any questions, please contact Natchaya Peetathawatchai. Find more information about Union Education at: cupe.ca/union-education

Happy Nursing Week to our Hard Working Health Care Team!

CUPE Newfoundland and Labrador would like to take a moment to salute our Licensed Practical Nurses and Personal Care Attendants who work tirelessly to keep our province running.

Say thank you to your Licensed Practical Nurse or Personal Care Attendant this week and know that CUPE Newfoundland and Labrador will continue to fight for you to improve working conditions and a better work-life balance.

Happy Nursing Week to all the LPNs and PCAs.

National Nursing Week is from May 12th to 18th this year. The celebrations take place during the same week as Florence Nightingale’s birthday, on May 12th, each year.

A radio ad will run on stations province-wide all week. Listen to the radio ad below.

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.