Standing Committees
Communication
CUPE National Convention - Vancouver, BC - October 31 to November 4, 2011
CUPE’s National convention is the union’s supreme decision-making body. Convention is held every two years. 5 members representing CUPE 998 participated fully in setting the union’s priorities, deciding policies and electing leaders. The 998 delegates were Mark Hadder, Arlene Macklem, Michelle Balina, Kelli Howell and Darryl Forbes.
998 delegates attended the Manitoba/Saskatchewan Caucus, Equality Caucus, Women’s Forum, Communicators Breakfast, Health & Safety Forum, Smart Meter Presentation. 998 delegates sat at the equality table in the main Gallery, sat on the National Women’s committee, and Constitution Committee, and presented at the Electrical Utility Workers Sectoral Meeting.
998 delegates took part in the National President Report as “the Face of CUPE” representing Electrical Utility Workers on stage with the National President, Paul Moist.
Delegates took part in the Occupy Vancouver Rally, lead by Olivia Chow, Jack Layton’s wife. The march took place from the Vancouver Convention Center to the Vancouver Art Gallery where hundreds of protestors set up camp with a clear message to Occupy All Streets across the world!
A touching, emotional ceremony on the convention floor celebrated the life and activism of Richard Sherring, winner of the 2011 CUPE National Disability Rights Activism Award. Sadly, Richard passed away on June 29, 2011. His parents, Cheryl and Bob Sherring, accepted the award on his behalf. Richard is remembered as an active member of CUPE 998 in Manitoba and at the national level, Richard improved disability rights awareness and promoted other social justice causes through award-winning videos and innovative educational tools.
Paul Moist was acclaimed to another two-year term as National President and Charles Fleury became CUPE’s new national Secretary-Treasurer. Fleury is a Hydro-Quebec employee, he has been an activist since 1982. He joined CUPE’s National Executive Board in 2003 as General Vice-President. Tom Graham was elected for the position of General Vice President for Sask/Man.
Our National Constitution was re-written using “clear language” and was accepted by delegates. An Emergency Resolution was passed asking for the Canadian Labour Congress to unite the Canadian labour Movement against the Harper Government attack on Canadian Workers.
Approximately 2500 delegates were present. Sectoral Meetings included Child care workers, Library workers, Paramedic/Emergency Workers, school board workers, water & waste water workers, healthcare workers, electrical utility workers, municipal workers, post-secondary education workers, social services workers, LPN and RPN Practical Nurses. Meetings included Pension, Health Care Issues, Contracting out & Privatization, Communication, Women’s issues, Global Justice. Caucuses included Provinces, National Rainbow Committee, Equality, Youth, Aboriginal, Persons with disabilities, Workers of Colour.
Information from the conference including Reports, National Constitution in clear language, Resolutions, and daily bulletins are available in the CUPE 998 office.
Ideas & Committee Members Needed!
The Communication Committee is looking for member ideas as to what you would like to see on this website! If you have any suggestions/comments/feedback, or would like to join the communication committee, please contact Michelle Balina.
HELP US TO COMMUNICATE WITH YOU BETTER!
We’d like member HOME EMAIL ADDRESSES so we have a way of directly communicating with our members without using the Manitoba Hydro Outlook mail system. It would a great way of providing info to the membership about updates on the website, during negotiations, or for any time we need to contact members privately.
E-mail us at cupe998@shawbiz.ca and please include your employee number so we can confirm you as a CUPE 998 member.
Communication with Members
There are approximately 18 stewards situated throughout the Hydro organization who acts as advisors to our members.
We keep the membership informed of our activities with the assistance of more than 50 communicators.
These "communication Volunteers" extend to most areas of the Hydro organization and are responsible for passing on information to individual members - this includes our newsletter (Livewire), news releases (The Current), and other pertinent communiqués.
CUPE local 998 holds twelve executive meetings and three general membership meetings per year (Jan, May & Sept), calling additional meetings as required.