LETHBRIDGE – CUPE National President Paul Moist dedicated the first half of his convention address to call Ed Stelmach on his bad behaviour and his government’s lack of empathy for working families.
Moist referred to last week’s media reports regarding the fact that over half of all worksites in the province using temporary foreign workers were found, during random inspections, to be violating employment standards rules.
‘No worker in Alberta should have their rights violated. The government should be ashamed.’
Moist was critical of Stelmach’s reaction to news his government was cutting funding to foster parents. After learning of the news from NDP MLA Rachel Notley, the Premier said Notley should have privately told the minister about the funding cut, instead of alerting the media.
“Mr. Stelmach, it’s impossible to imagine how many hours of the week you spend with your feet in your mouth. But don’t you dare lecture a member of the opposition for doing her job and standing up for foster parents and foster kids.”
Like other speakers, Moist called upon delegates to take up the fight for good pension plans for all workers. Moist pointed to the extended strike at Inco Mines in Sudbury, where employees are struggling against an employer who wants to take their defined benefit pension plan away.
“This is a CUPE strike as much as it is a Steelworker strike. If they can knock down a big company, why would they ease up on us?”
Finally, Moist saluted shop stewards across the country. CUPE has declared 2010 ‘The Year of the Steward.’
“Stewards are the bedrock of the union,” said Moist. “You get more complaints than you get thank yous. You are the front line link to our members.”
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