I want to wish all CUPE members and their families in BC a really great summer.
While much hard work is still being done this summer at the bargaining table, I hope that members will be able to enjoy some time away from the workplace.
In addition to spending time relaxing with our families, summer is a great time to put the ideas of our Ten Percent Shift campaign to work. Whether it’s picking up supplies for the barbeque or the camping trip from your local farmers’ market, or planning a “stay-cation” to keep your vacation dollars here at home, there are plenty of options to support our local economies.
Speaking of the Shift, we’ll be in Quesnel in July for a community open house during Billy Barker Days. I’m really looking forward to meeting folks from the community and hope to see many CUPE members out to talk about how we as union members can help make communities stronger.
Over the summer we’ll also be planning a number of other Shift-related events and tours, including re-scheduling for October our tour of the Kootenays that we had to postpone in March. We’re hoping to be able to schedule some Shift events in the Interior and southern Vancouver Island this fall.
Finally, I’m very pleased and proud to report to you that the City of Vancouver has become the first municipality to officially endorse the Ten Percent Shift campaign. Mayor Gregor Robertson introduced the motion last week and I was glad to see that it was supported by all Vision Vancouver councilors. I’m hopeful that the two opposition councilors who did not support the motion will become supporters as they learn more about the Shift and the important benefits it can make to the local economy.
Barry O’Neill is president of CUPE BC