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“We will be emerging from this convention with a strong action plan to counter these attacks and moving our agenda of justice, equality and fairness for all Canadians forward.” - James Clancy, NUPGE National President.
Ottawa (14 June 2013)– Over three hundred delegates are gathered in Ottawa from June 14-16 determined to put forward an aggressive agenda to counter the attacks on labour, on public services and on democracy being waged currently across Canada.
Packed agenda
On the first day, delegates will discuss issues related to the National Union's ongoing All Together Now! campaign which has focused on the causes and consequences of, and solutions to reduce, income inequality in Canada. Delegates will be discussing ways to move the campaign forward, to engage a broader audience and to continue building a solid movement of support for public services and labour rights.
National President Clancy addresses delegates on Friday
James Clancy, NUPGE National President, will be addressing delegates on Friday morning, welcoming them to Ottawa and reviewing the work of the National Union since delegates last met in June 2010.
Aside from debating campaign and policy resolutions throughout the three day Convention, delegates will hear from some of the leading thinkers in the world on the issue of rising income inequality and its devastating effects on society.
Chris Hedges and Chrystia Freeland give keynote speeches
On Friday afternoon, Pulitzer prize winning journalist, Chris Hedges will deliver a keynote address talking about the death of the liberal class, arguing that social movements, which have provided "all the true correctives to American democracy" have been undercut by corporate co-opting of the traditional liberal forces of the USA, notably the labour unions, press, churches, universities and the Democratic Party.
On Saturday, Chrystia Freeland, an acclaimed business journalist who has spent nearly two decades on reporting on the new transglobal elite will explore the tight-knit world of the new global super-rich. Paul Champ, leading labour will reinforce the theme of Unions Matter with his speech, The Role of Unions in Advancing Human Rights in the Workplace and Social Rights for All.
Stronger together, moving fairness forward
“We are meeting at a time when labour rights, trade unions and workers are coming under unprecedented attacks,” says James Clancy, NUPGE National President. “We will be emerging from this convention with a strong action plan to counter these attacks and moving our agenda of justice, equality and fairness for all Canadians forward.”
Delegates can follow the debate on Convention floor via Twitter #NUPGE2013.
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE