who takes care of our National Executive Board; and Line Deschamps. Thanks also to all who work on the fifth floor and who continue working like Julie Veit who is presently at national office, because as we say, the “shop” is still open. We have to continue to carry out our duties. Life continues and we must take care of our members. This will be my thanks for now. I’m really happy to see Paul with his family. I wish you all this.
Following Sister Michèle Rouleau’s address, Brother Claude Généreux thanked her and presented her with a gift.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2009 AFTERNOON SESSION □
Today, as we discussed our strategic directions document, it was said that we wanted to improve our negotiation power, improve our working conditions, and fight back against concessions. So, before we leave for the demonstration, we will listen to someone speak; but, please also listen to the cry of the demonstration. We will support this action with our feet, with our soles, not just with words. We will practice what we preach. We will support one of our local unions who has the right like the other 3,000 CUPE locals, like all the Canadian workers, and throughout the world, to have a collective agreement with decent conditions, with dignity and respect in our workplaces. And this is what you will show with your solidarity at noon.
TRIBUTE TO CUPE RETIREES AND STAFF CHAIRPERSON PAUL MOIST: Since we last met in Toronto and up to some date in September, 72 CUPE staff have retired. Not all were able to be with us today, but these 72 CUPE employees that have retired over the last two years had a total of 1,697 years of service – an average of 23 years of dedicated service to you – the members of CUPE. Let’s pay tribute to these retirees. Let us also pay tribute to the staff currently working for us. In 1963, our union had somewhere between two or three dozen staff to serve our 70,000 members. Today, from coast to coast and from 67 offices, we have 800 sisters and brothers whom we ask a lot of – day in and day out. These workers, many of whom were members of our great union prior to becoming staffers, know that there is no such thing as “being not available”, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year.
Thank you. These are the principles that I will practice at noon.
INTRODUCTION GUEST SPEAKER CLAUDE GÉNÉREUX (National Secretary-Treasurer): I would like to introduce Michèle in one of the many languages she speaks. There is French; however, I am sure that being a member of the Abenakis Great Nation, she speaks many languages.
In 2004, on Christmas Eve, we settled a strike in the great province of Saskatchewan. Last Christmas, staff worked at York University with our members who were on strike there. There is not a day of the year that there are no CUPE negotiations going on.
Michèle Rouleau has been a human rights activist for the Aboriginal people for more 25 years. She is a producer and hosts Nations – an information show on Aboriginal people – broadcasted on Télé-Québec which is the equivalent of TFO in Ontario. She appears on conferences and workshops all over the world in order to introduce the different Aboriginal facts and realities. These past few years, she was actively involved in human rights complaints and youth rights in Québec.
There are few days in the year when there is no arbitration or a Labour Board hearing. There are very few days in the year – probably none – when we are not organizing or speaking to a member about considering joining CUPE. There are no days in the year, in the world of email and in today’s world, when our staff is not servicing the 60,000 members of our union. On your behalf, I sincerely say to these sisters and brothers that we appreciate each and every effort. We believe as CUPE members that we are privileged and we enjoy and have enjoyed throughout our history the best staff in the labour movement in Canada.
In 1992, the Québec Government recognized her work and presented her with the Justice Award. The Québec Human Rights Commission also presented her with the Rights and Liberties Award. This spring, the University of Québec in Abitibi-Témiscamingue presented her with a honoris causa doctorate.
I thank these brothers and sisters for a job well done and wish them all the best for a long, healthy and happy retirement. Join me in thanking our wonderful staff of the Canadian Union of Public employees.
She is involved with the Association of Aboriginal Women of Québec, so much so, that she was its president from 1987 to 1992. We are dealing with one sister and a great activist.
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