Greetings,
You will have seen a great news story about rainbow crosswalks via CamNews. As well, you will have seen a retraction regarding who in fact performed this work. CUPE supports the Rainbow Walkways – let there be no misunderstanding. The spirit of inclusion, diversity and equal rights visually represented on Campus, throughout our City, and across the Country, is at the very heart of the labour movement. CUPE has been, and continues to be, a leader in Canada, fighting for equal rights and we are pleased that so many organizations and institutions are starting to catch up.
The reason behind the retraction was to clarify that we, CUPE staff, did not perform the painting work. Anti-Contracting Out is a serious topic for your Union and one that is affecting members across Canada. We always support ‘good news’ stories, but we also want to make sure that all the facts are presented. Your Union leadership engages in monthly meetings to advocate to bring ‘work back in-house’. We do not support a good news story that praises the work done by an outside company, paid for with public dollars. We would also like to acknowledge that mistakes happen and that the spirit of the CamNews notice was meant to be inclusive, rather than disappointing. When a video is sent College-wide showing contractors performing work we have been fighting to bring in-house, it is important that we stand up and call it out. This is a good news/bad news story and we wanted you to know.
In Solidarity with all CUPE workers,
Keith Todd – President
Erynne Grant – Vice President