LETHBRIDGE – CUPE members benefit when we work together for common goals. That was the message from CUPE Alberta President Dennis Mol as he opened the 2010 CUPE Alberta convention.
Invoking the convention theme “Strength and Solidarity,” Mol called on delegates to push CUPE to become more active on the political scene.
“We have to stop being shy about political action, and start being loud and proud about the fact we want a new deal with our governments.”
Mol said that a government concerned about working people wouldn’t continue to fight negotiated wage increases with school support workers. He also took on the government over school closures.
“In Edmonton alone, there have been 12 school shut downs, with five more coming,” said Mol. “At the same time, the government calls for more schools, more P3s.
The President used his address to highlight the successes and the struggles CUPE members have been involved with over the previous year.
Mol recognized health care support workers and paramedics who are fighting to remain in CUPE after the government amalgamated health regions.
“These sisters and brothers have gone through hell, said Mol. “But they are still here, they are still with CUPE.”
Mol repeated a frequent theme regarding the need to build more long term care spaces in the province. “Ed Stelmach promised to build 600 new long term care beds. Anyone know of any new spaces they’ve created? Zero.”
-30-