Chemical Energy & and; Paperworkers Union
National Convention - Quebec City
Oct 16-Oct 21-2004
Unions are the people that brought you week ends!... Ken Georgetti
Brothers and Sisters:�����
����������� I would like to thank the Members of local 848 for sending me to this national convention in Quebec City along with the other members of the executive committee (Mark Mathewson, Dan Hennaert and Steve Rumbold). There were more than 1500 delegates representing 439 locals along with hundreds of observers from politicians to other union representatives.
����������� The convention saw literally dozens of resolutions for our national constitution come to the floor to debate. Along with these we also elected our Nation Board.� The following list is the CEP National Executive board for 2004-2006 as elected or acclaimed:
����������� Brian Payne����������������� President��������������������������������� Acclaimed
����������� Andre Foucault������������ Sec. Treasurer������������������������� Acclaimed
����������� Peter Murdoch������������� VP Media�������������������������������� Acclaimed
����������� Clement L'Heurex������� Executive VP, Quebec������������� Acclaimed
����������� Michel OuimentVP,           Quebec����������������������������� Acclaimed
����������� Joe Gargiso������������������ Admin. VP, Quebec����������������� Acclaimed
����������� Max Michaud���������������     VP, Atlantic����������������������������� Acclaimed
����������� Ervan Cronk���������������� Admin. VP, Atlantic����������������� 8172 votes
����������� Cec Makowski������������� VP, Ontario����������������������������� Acclaimed
����������� Bob Huget������������������� Admin. VP, Ontario������������������ Acclaimed
����������� John Edwards�������������� Admin. VP, Ontario������������������ 30750 votes
����������� Dave Coles������������������ VP, Western region������������������ Acclaimed
����������� Don MacNeil��������������� Admin. VP, Western region������ Acclaimed
����������� Wendy Sol������������������� Admin. VP, Western region������ Acclaimed
There were also many Rank & File members elected and I apologize for not being able to get all their names.
����������Resolutions:�� Out of all the resolutions passed the biggest ones pertained to:
���������������������Mentoring people for the positions soon to be vacated by retirements.
��������������������������� Having an alternate for the aboriginal and peoples of colour representative.
����������� The biggest of all and the most likely to get people's attention is the one passed to make the National Union our kind of union. In the words of Brian Payne:
����������������������� "In order to continue our fights at the bargaining tables, make new inroads like Pharmacare and continue CEPs activism the National union needs more resources."
He explainedtodelegates that a loss of membership and increased costs has resulted in a deficit for the union. That is why a resolution was before the delegates for a modest per capita increase to the CEP the necessary resources to continue the good fight. Doing nothing is not an option for our union.
����������� This resolution brought out a very long period of debate. So long it was finally brought to question. After lengthy debate even involving the discussion of "Taxing" O/T the delegates decided to increase dues rather than rely on unreliable income. Especially since the National doesn?t support O/T but instead would rather see more members hired. In the end it passed not unanimously but darn close. So the news here is our dues are going up.
����������� CEP Humanitarian Fund: "'The CEP Humanitarian fund equals solidarity-Not charity."
With these words Quebec administrative VP Joe Gargiso announced that our national union would fund a program to help relieve the suffering of workers in Africa afflicted with HIV/AIDS. We heard that 6,000 people a day are dying in Africa. The hope and solidarity program announced will raise $500,000 over the next 2 years.
����������� On the home front the fund allocates 15% of its money to projects in Canada. This year they supported the Canadian Council for refugees with a re-settlement and education program for woman coming to Canada who have been trafficked as slaves, and the Good Food box project of Food share. There was also a substantial donation to relieve flooding impact in Badger, Newfoundland.
����������� Through out the week there were many guest speakers speaking on many issues effecting the world and all our locals.
����������� On this note I would like to finish with once again thanking the people who made this possible and say that a lot was learned and the experience was extremely valuable.
����������� Thanks
����������� Pete vanWijnen
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