We can be proud of all our union has achieved. We’ve made gains at the bargaining table and in the political arena. CUPE has grown especially in the last decade; we are more diverse than at any time in our history. This gives us potential to be stronger and more powerful than we have ever been. But we cannot be complacent, especially now.

The pandemic has destabilized the economy. Governments ramped up spending after the COVID-19 outbreak while experiencing dramatic drops in revenue. As we come out of the global pandemic health crisis, corporate and other forces who have pushed austerity in the past will mobilize once again. They will demand that governments cut expenditures sharply rather than raise the taxes of those who can afford to pay more. We must get ready to fight back against major cuts to social programs and federal transfers to lower levels of government, and privatization. We must be ready for an attack on our negotiated wages and benefits, and on our social and legislated rights. We must be ready to fight for real equality especially for our members who have always suffered greatest inequity—women, Indigenous members, racialized members, members with disabilities, LGBTQ2+ members, and young workers. Now is the time for us to organize for meaningful truth and reconciliation, to uproot racism, to end discrimination in all its forms, and advance equity and human rights.  Now is the time to gear up, get better organized and build the capacity of every part of CUPE so that together we not only defend our members, but make real progress.

Solidarity with Education Workers

CUPE is in a solid financial position thanks to outgoing National Secretary Treasurer Charles Fleury’s excellent leadership. I have the experience and expertise to manage our union’s financial and staff resources, and make sure locals, provincial and service divisions, bargaining councils, and CUPE National staff have what they need to defend members and break new ground.

I have proven my financial skills and leadership serving 11 years as the full-time Secretary-Treasurer of CUPE’s largest provincial division. I got CUPE Ontario’s finances in shape to support a strong and effective fight back against Liberal austerity and then against Premier Doug Ford’s Conservative attacks. I am also an experienced national leader having served all CUPE members across the country as a member of CUPE’s National Executive Board since 2003, and as a member of the Canadian Council of the Canadian Labour Congress.

I am proud of my record in the struggle to raise the wages and working conditions of CUPE’s lowest paid members, the majority of whom are women and racialized workers. I understand that a union’s priority must be to improve the working conditions of members, to win real wage increases and economic security for now and in retirement.  I also I know we will never make gains alone—we must act in solidarity with all workers—especially with those who have no union.  It’s one of the reasons I have always been a staunch supporter of community-based coalitions and campaigns for social, economic and racial justice.

CUPE Ontario Convention