CUPE National Convention 2025
Report by Lauren McKenzie
Submitted Oct. 17, 2025
Sunday, Oct. 5 – Sector Meeting
This was a gathering of post secondary folks from across the country and in all job classifications. We discussed the PSE sector resolutions that have been identified for our sector. Resolution 11 is an anti privatization resolution at services that have been contracted including food service, custodial, etc…
Monday, Oct. 6
The opening day of convention features speakers and formalities about voting. Business of convention included resolutions and constitutional amendments. The NS Caucus took place today. Alan Linkletter was previously elected as the regional VP, so no elections were held. There were discussions about who would run from our region for general VP, and that is Sherri Hillier from Newfoundland and Labrador.
Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025 morning session
Heard Bea Bruske, the president of CLC speak to the delegation about the state of the labour movement in Canada. She said that PM Mark Carney has taken a strong right position and is planning cuts to essential public services. Every policy the government puts on the table has to support workers. Workers are not a cost to be managed, we are the engine of the economy. She encouraged the delegates to get involved in politics – at every level to fight for an economy that centres workers.
Anti Racism Strategy Presented
- Governance
- Representation
- Education
- Lived experience
- Organizating
- Bargaining with anti racist focus, etc…
Women’s Caucus
Heard from a guest speaker – a Palestinian woman about the state of women’s work and health in Gaza. Women used to work in the public sector and that has been destroyed. The suffering of women is ten fold in Gaza:
- without hygiene products
- Giving birth with no anesthesia
- C-sections without pain killers
- No post natal especially care such as incubators
- Higher rates of miscarriage
- Mother’s can’t reach children at day care, etc…when Israeli army is present
- Women and children are most at risk and vulnerable
Relevant resolutions to the women’s caucus were discussed, including Reso 235; Reso 95; Reso 60; Reso 105; Reso 193; Reso 804 freedom flotilla with CUPE members who are likely to be arrested and abused by IDF; C8
Constitutional amendment re. The complaint process within CUPE needs to be improved to better protect members there must be a streamlined process; based on trauma-informed practices and increase the availability of resolution based intervention and non punitive based processes.
- Resolution language comes from consultation with members and survey 4500 members completed and the legal branch and safe spaces committee
- The amendment was adopted by the delegation which required a ⅔ majority. Lee Saunders – AFSCME
Labour leader from Washington DC spoke about the attack on workers by the Trump administration.
- The BBB is a hit job on working people
- Food assistance cast vulnerable families into despair
- Government shut down is a disaster
- Only when it is dark enough can you see the stars (MLK Jr) – our star is getting organized.
Strategic directions
NEB read through the draft Strategic directions
Report from National Post Secondary Task Force and Resolution 204 passed! This was the resolution that we put forward and it advocates for a national post secondary act and that CUPE resources be dedicated. This includes advocacy to protect jobs and post secondary education.
Wednesday, Oct 8, 2025
Voting Day!
There was an election for National President this year – and it was exciting to see democracy at work in our union. The electronic voting devices malfunctioned and the vote went to paper ballot for the 2000 plus delegation. Mark Hancock was reelected with 1700 + votes.
Alan Linkletter was elected as Regional VP and Sherri Hillier as General VP Atlantic/Maritimes.
The afternoon included resolutions and constitutional amendments. There was a lot of debate about Reso 113 BDS. There was even debate about how to vote – be it secret ballot or not. The doors were ‘tiled’ and there was a lot of discussion about parliamentary procedures and a
motion was made to have a secret ballot. We then took a standing vote where each member stands in favor or opposed to the motion of secret ballot. Delegates on the floor voted to hear the results when we reconvene in the morning.
Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025
First order of business was the results of CUPE 3912s second resolution submission and I was disappointed it was defeated by a vote of 823 to 641.
Constitutional amendment C12 was debated. The amendment has been brought to convention floor for many years and aims to add 5 diversity vice presidents. Currently, CUPE has 2 DVPs – Indigenous Workers and Black and Racialized Workers. If passed, the National Executive Board (NEB) would welcome a 2SLGBTQI+; Francophone Workers; Workers with Disabilities; Women; and, Young Workers. A supermajority is required (⅔) and the amendment was voted down. This tells me that CUPE has a lot of work to do to include more diverse groups at convention so that the delegation represents our members and their diversity. This was considered a blow to our solidarity by equity deserving members and our supporters.
President of Unifor, Lana Payne
Spoke about Carney’s trip to Washington because of the actions of our government. ⅓ of workers in Canada are trade dependent. Trump is coming for our industrial sector jobs.
National Trustees were elected and sworn in.
Member facilitator luncheon was a great opportunity to connect with facilitators from across the country. CUPE National Education Director, Tammy Kelly, thanked us for the work we do and described future plans for union education including advanced training and a new series: ARC – Anti Racist CUPE. Several workshops currently on offer include Challenging racism; Indigenous cultural safety; and, Solidarity with workers in Gaza. There are a number of sessions being developed and will be announced in the coming months. CUPE educational offerings can be found here.
Resolutions re. Strike protocols in extreme weather, 911 services and safe drug supply.
We heard from Magali Picard, FTQ president. Who talked about solidarity across union borders in the climate of rising facism.
Friday, Oct. 10
Throughout the week, the delegation worked on the strategic directions policy document for the next two years and we finalized and voted on that.
I had any conversations with delegates and staff about what is happening in 3912 and the possibility of job action across multiple units. Much solidarity was expressed! I heard from a young worker from Ontario who follows us and said they loved our presence on social media.
