NS Convention 2025 Report – Delegate

Report: Reflections on Campaign for CUPE Nova Scotia President and CUPE 3912 Delegation  to Convention 

Christine Saulnier 

Overview 

This report summarizes the outcomes, lessons, and benefits of undertaking a campaign for the  presidency of CUPE Nova Scotia and sending a delegation to the 2025 CUPE NS Convention.  While I did not win the presidency, the campaign succeeded in building visibility, relationships,  and organizational strength that will continue to serve our local, CUPE NS, and CUPE more  broadly. 

Key Positives 

1. Raised Our Local’s Profile 

• The delegation introduced our local, our work and issues to many CUPE NS members  across the province. 
• We built relationships with leaders in locals we had not connected with before. • Our presence on the convention floor was noticeable and respected. Our members participated actively and brought forward thoughtful questions and ideas supporting our resolutions and those of other locals. 

2. Engaged and Mobilized Members 

• The process energized members within our local to become more engaged in CUPE’s  broader structures. 
• We identified emerging leaders and built confidence among members who supported  and participated in my campaign and at Convention. 
• Several members of the delegation took on new roles or responsibilities in support of  the campaign and convention. 

3. Built Skills and Experience 

• Members gained hands-on experience in political campaigning, public speaking,  outreach, and organizing. 
• The campaign team developed communications, strategy, and learned lessons that can  be drawn on in future organizing efforts.

4. Expanded Relationships Across CUPE 

• We had meaningful one-on-one conversations with dozens of local leaders and  delegates from across the province. 
• Many delegates expressed appreciation for the tone and content of my campaign and  for the issues raised by our delegation, and they expressed interest in working with us  going forward. 

5. Contributed to the Political Discourse 

• We helped shape the conversations at convention around equity, organizing, public  services, and internal democracy. 
• The campaign articulated a clear, bold vision for CUPE Nova Scotia that resonated with  many. 

Lessons  

In the lead up to Convention and at Convention, I spoke to many CUPE members who are facing  similar huge challenges from rising costs of living, to underfunded public services, to increasing  workloads, violence, and burnout. Many are feeling undervalued despite the incredible services  

they provide in every critical sector. We must unite and support each other’s fights to raise  standards across sectors, fight for fair wages and safe workplaces, and push back against  austerity and privatization.  

CUPE NS is not exceptional. Too few members are engaged internally, and even fewer are  involved in broader movements to build solidarity across issues, sectors, and communities. Many members feel unheard and are frustrated by the lack of transparency and the  gatekeeping by some in leadership positions. CUPE NS needs to provide more support for locals  to engage members, build leadership, and be strike-ready when necessary. 

CUPE 3912 should continue to build its internal organizing capacity, take leadership roles including in this broader solidarity work. I know it is more difficult for our members than for  others, given precarity, multiple jobs and inability to be booked off from teaching. At the same  time, we are a large local that can be part of the change and building the movement for a fair,  prosperous Nova Scotia. 

Conclusion 

Though I did not win the presidency, the campaign was a success in many meaningful ways. It  strengthened our local, deepened our connections within CUPE, and laid the groundwork for  future leadership and organizing efforts. Participating fully in this election and sending a  delegation to Convention was a valuable investment that positions us well for what’s ahead.

Thank you CUPE 3912 for endorsing me as candidate for CUPE NS president and for supporting  this 12-member delegation! 

I remain deeply committed to our movement, to justice for all workers, and to working  alongside you to keep building power from the ground up. 

In Solidarity, 

Christine Saulnier 

A message to the 3912 delegates to Convention: I want to take a moment to thank each and  every one of you for the incredible work, commitment, and solidarity you brought to this  campaign. While we didn’t win the vote, what we built together was absolutely a win. We  brought energy, ideas, and hope into this race. We showed what leadership rooted in listening,  organizing, and acTon can look like. We sparked important conversaTons across CUPE Nova  ScoTa about where we’re headed and how we can grow stronger together. That maUers deeply. 

You helped build something powerful. We connected with locals across the province. I was in a  position to engage members who hadn’t been involved before and who joined our ground  team. We ran a campaign rooted in values, vision, and respect.  

I’ve heard from so many members who feel seen, heard, and hopeful. That’s no small thing.  That’s the start of real movement-building. 

You carried this campaign in conversations, messages, meetings, early mornings and late nights.  You did the hard work with integrity and care. I’m so proud of what we accomplished together. Thank you all! Thanks especially to 3912 President, Lauren McKenzie for her leadership. What an impressive delegation!