Clancy calls on NUPGE members to work for common good

We all know that when we work together - we win.' - NUPGE Convention 2007

Fredericton (22 June 2007) – The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE), which represents more than 340,000 public and private sector workers across the country, opened its 2007 convention today with a rousing appeal from National President James Clancy.

The three-day convention began this morning in Fredericton and runs until the close of business on Sunday, June 24.

Clancy’s opening remarks highlighted the main convention theme that Canada as a country, and Canadians as citizens, are better off when they work together in common cause.

“We all know that when we work together - we win. We win for workers and their families, we win for our communities, and we win for our country,” said Clancy.

He highlighted several policy directions that the convention will debate.

“Over the next three days we’ll focus on measures to improve the quality of life of workers, their families and their communities, including labour rights, strengthening health care and community social services, tackling climate change, promoting peace and international solidarity and ensuring trade deals benefit working people and their families,” he said.

Steering a different course

Clancy made a strong case that Canada needs to steer away from the Stephen Harper's conservative view of the future and that trade unionists and other progressives can and should lead the way.

''We have very different ideas from the Harper Conservative government about Canada’s future,” said Clancy.

“We have different ideas about what choices we should make, rooted in fundamentally different values and views of how we should meet our common challenges and opportunities,” he told delegates from across Canada.

“We’re going to use this convention to articulate those common values and views and to chart a common course for our union for the years ahead."

More than 350 delegates will debate key policy papers and resolutions to set the course of the union for the next three years.

'We have different ideas about what choices we should make.'

Several major speakers will address delegates on issues such as climate change and social justice at home and abroad.

On Friday delegates will hear from the Bill Blaikie, a long-serving Member of Parliament from Winnipeg who currently serves and is widely-respected as Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons.

Environmental activist Peter Corbyn, a member of the New Brunswick Union and NUPGE, will address the convention Saturday on the issue of climate change.

Saturday’s convention events also include a speech from Dr. Anne-Marie Zajdlik, founder of the Masai for Africa Campaign which provides support to the Tsepong HIV/AIDS Clinic in Lesotho, Africa. NUPGE