CUPE national convention begins in Vancouver

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Nov. 2, 2015) - Over 3,000 delegates, guests and staff are in Vancouver this week for the Canadian Union of Public Employees' 27^th biennial national convention. Delegates representing 634,000 workers across the country will be debating issues, voting on policies, and electing a new national president - setting the future course for Canada's largest union.

The five-day convention opens today with the last address from Paul Moist as CUPE's national president. Moist will be retiring at the conclusion of the convention, capping off 40 years as a CUPE member, and 12 years as the union's national president.

"It has been my privilege and honour to work with thousands of dedicated members, activists, leaders and staff to build CUPE into a strong and united voice for the interests and rights of all workers," said Moist. "I am proud of the work we have done together, as a union and as part of the labour movement, in making this country a better place to live for all Canadians."

Convention delegates will elect a new national president on Wednesday, Nov. 4 and also pay tribute to Moist, for his contributions to CUPE and to the labour movement.

"We all thank Brother Paul Moist for his life time of service to our union, and for his strong leadership during his time as our national president," said Charles Fleury, national secretary-treasurer of CUPE, who will also be addressing delegates on the convention's opening day. "Under Brother Moist's leadership, CUPE has grown by over 100,000 members, and he has helped build a solid foundation for our union's future."

Other guest speakers at the convention, being held Nov. 2-6, 2015 at the Vancouver Convention Centre, 1055 Canada Place, include: Justice Murray Sinclair, chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission; Hassan Yussuff, president of the Canadian Labour Congress; Lee Saunders, president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees; Naomi Klein, journalist, author and social justice activist; Rosa Pavanelli, general-secretary of Public Service International; and Tom Mulcair, leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada.

All keynote speakers and convention proceedings will be webcast, and a complete convention program is available at cupe.ca.