BURNABY-CUPE BC President Paul Faoro sent the following message to CUPE Local Presidents across B.C. after announcing to the union’s Executive Board this morning that he will not seek re-election to a fourth term as president. He will continue to serve as president until CUPE BC’s online 2021 Convention, May 19-21, when delegates will elect a new executive.
Faoro was first elected president in 2015 after serving as Secretary-Treasurer. He previously served as president of CUPE Local 15 for twelve years. Over Faoro’s tenure as president CUPE BC’s membership grew from 82,000 to more than 100,000, making CUPE BC the largest union in B.C.
Please join us on January 19 at 5:30–7:00 PM (Pacific Time) for an online presentation with counsellor and stand-up comedian David Granirer and his Stand-up for Mental Health comics. Q&A to follow. The presentation is open to CUPE K-12 members. Find detailed information at bcschools.cupe.ca.
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The B.C. provincial election on October 24 provides British Columbians an opportunity to decide between two starkly different visions of the way forward for the province as we continue to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic and economic recovery, CUPE BC President Paul Faoro said today.
“For three-and-a-half years the John Horgan government has made incredible progress in repairing the damage done by more than 16 years of BC Liberals, and they’ve been able to do so with the slimmest of margins in the Legislature,” said Faoro. “The BC NDP government has introduced Childcare BC, the first new social program in generations. They have created Clean BC, the most ambitious plan to fight climate change in North America, and they brought in the largest middle-class tax cut in B.C. history by getting rid of the regressive MSP.
“And the government has shown exemplary leadership in the fight against COVID-19, taking direction from key public health officials like Dr. Bonnie Henry, responding to the financial challenges faced by people and families, and putting additional resources into the important public services that all British Columbians depend upon.”
Faoro said that CUPE BC would focus on ensuring members and the general public are aware of the options available to vote safely. From requesting mail-in ballots from Elections BC to voting in advance polls, there are many alternatives to voting before Election Day, helping reduce line-ups or congestion at polling places.
“This is the first election with a complete ban on corporate and union contributions to political parties and campaigns—one of the very first acts of the Horgan government. For many years, CUPE BC has called for the elimination of big money from our elections, and we’re very happy that this election will be decided on the merits of the parties’ platforms and records, and not by how many millionaires donated to a campaign,” said Faoro.
“The record of Andrew Wilkinson and the BC Liberals is clear. For 16 years they ran roughshod over the rights of working people, governed almost exclusively for the wealthy and their big corporate backers, and slashed the public services that help build strong communities. And from what we’ve heard from them so far shows they haven’t learned from their brief time in Opposition. In contrast, in less than four years—with a minority government—the BC NDP has made enormous steps in rebuilding an economy that works for everyone, not just the elites at the top.
“I encourage all CUPE members to vote for the BC NDP candidate in their community. We really are all in this together, and we should vote for the party with the best plan for working people. The choice is clear.”
BURNABY—CUPE BC and the CUPE K-12 Presidents Council welcome Education Minister Rob Fleming’s announcement today that schools will re-open the week of September 8–11 as scheduled, with orientation days in place for support staff, teachers and other workers in schools to familiarize themselves with procedures before students return to classrooms on September 10.
“The number one goal of the restart plan is to open schools safely for all—students, and everyone who works in our schools. The details announced this morning will help ensure that all K-12 workers will understand how schools will operate in the ‘new normal,’” said CUPE BC President Paul Faoro. “All stakeholders generally support this phased-in approach.”
Faoro noted the importance of following the health and safety guidance of Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry as schools reopen. “Dr. Henry and her public health team will keep a close eye on what’s happening, and plans may change as needed.”
CUPE K-12 Presidents Council President Warren Williams said that it’s important for locals and districts to work together to develop safety plans. “Safety plans are paramount for the K-12 Restart,” said Williams. “Time is short and this step is crucial for a safe opening for students and staff.”
CUPE BC represents 100,000 workers delivering important public services in nearly every community in the province. The K-12 Presidents Council is comprised of presidents from 57 K-12 locals, representing 30,000 support staff in schools throughout B.C.
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