National Convention - Toronto, 2002 - Dan Hennaert

Communication Energy and Paperworkers Union,
National Convention - Toronto, Sept 28, thru Oct 3, 2002

"A CAT IS NOT A CAT UNLESS IT CATCHES MICE..."

Brothers and Sisters,

This quote from the floor of the convention caught my attention.  It was attributed to Nelson Mandela and came up in discussion around nominations and elections.  Think about it, consider what it means and act accordingly the next time you cast your ballot for an election.

The recently completed convention of the CEP National Union celebrated the last 10 years of our merger.  The highlights talked about were:

Fair Play for Women at Bell Campaign: we marched through the streets of Toronto to the Bell Canada head office for a street side rally.

Shorter Work Time plans that some locals have taken up as priorities were presented as a film.  They want to reduce overtime and or change work schedules to sometimes preserve jobs were fellow workers are on layoff and also enhance opportunities for family and community involvement.

Campaign Against Hydro Privatization: These focused on the recent court victory were your national union was instrumental in stopping the sale of Hydro One.  The action made the Ontario Government rethink the whole plan and declare publicly that they would keep control of the asset by selling only 49% of the shares.  The practicality of this is in question as it is thought that the large investors will be unwilling to commit to a company 51% owned by the province for fears of political interference  and political considerations  being a priority over strictly business considerations. 
All of these issues contributed to a general theme around anti globalization.  We as unionists obviously want to preserve jobs, benefits, wages and union contracts in a era of globalization.  World Corporate Government aims to keep workers poor (i.e. competitive)... in fear of loosing what they have, therefore compliant, (move your job to another country)... and also in some cases to make you fear for your very life if you choose to fight back.

The convention affirmed that the CEP is to be an

Activist, Progressive, and Militant Union.

Other Highlights: The convention increased strike pay by $50.00 per week.  Brother Bob Huget,  the former MPP for Sarnia was elected as an Administrative Vice President for Ontario.  Other elected National offices remained unchanged for the most part;  the rank and file board members for Ontario (4) all attracted new people.  I don't have the names.  None were from the Sarnia area.

Thanks for sending me to Convention,

Dan Hennaert