President’s Blog March 2023

This year, as we have over the last several years, CUPW observed International Women’s Day by honouring some of the trailblazing women who have shaped and reshaped our Union.

https://www.cupw.ca/en/about-us/committees/national-womens-committee/trailblazing-women-cupw-2023

In the past five decades, CUPW has gone from a predominantly male membership – and leadership – to near gender parity in the membership, and the highest ever number of women serving on our National Executive Board. Women shape the Union at all other levels too, from workfloor activism to local and regional executives. Empowering women workers has made our Union what it is today, and we’re far from done!

Last week, two labour events took place in Toronto featuring Chris Smalls, organizer, founder, and president of the Amazon Labour Union representing Amazon workers in Staten Island. I encourage everyone to watch the Ontario Federation of Labour event here: https://www.facebook.com/OFLabour/videos/125831273773309

I attended the event on Saturday hosted by Ontario Public Service Employees Union, and the discussion reinforced for me the urgency of organizing the unorganized in logistics and delivery, including our work with Gig Workers United. If you’re an app-based delivery worker, or your family and friends are, help spread the word and get couriers to fill out GWU’s survey: https://t.co/E51kFw2i3R

We are seven weeks away from our National Convention, and preparations are in full swing. Delegates from your local are surely getting ready to represent you on the Convention floor, the highest decision-making body in CUPW, from May 1 to 5. The Canadian Labour Congress will hold their convention the week following ours – https://canadianlabour.ca/convention2023/ –  ask your local how to get involved with the delegation!

And as spring approaches, many of CUPW’s education events are getting underway. Regions have begun holding educational sessions, and there is one week left in our Union Education Program. Our educationals are something that all CUPW members can be proud of. In these events, we empower our activists and develop the future leadership in of CUPW.

And as we head into spring and Convention season, we’re all focused on the future!