03) CUPE ELECTS NEW PRESIDENT, ADOPTS “STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS”

 

By Kimball Cariou, Vancouver

 

            By a margin of about 300 votes, Mark Hancock was elected the new national president of the Canadian Union of Public Employees at the union’s 27^th biennial convention, held Nov. 2-6 in Vancouver. Over 2100 delegates attended the convention, the first major trade union gathering since the Oct. 19 federal election.

 

            Hancock, who has been president of CUPE’s British Columbia division since 2013, defeated Ontario CUPE leader Fred Hahn for the top post. He replaces Paul Moist, who retired after 12 years as CUPE national president. Charles Fleury was re-elected by acclamation as national secretary-treasurer.

 

            While the outcome reflected a wide range of factors, such as provincial loyalties, some delegates viewed the contest as a referendum on differing strategies. Hancock is widely seen as a stronger supporter of the NDP, while Hahn has been associated with efforts to build common front struggles against right-wing economic and social policies. On the other hand, Hancock also speaks about labour-community coalition building, and Hahn is an NDP member.

 

            Outgoing president Paul Moist spoke at a lunch hour rally held during the convention to promote the “Leap Manifesto,” the joint statement issued by progressive environment, indigenous and cultural activists during the federal election campaign. About half of the CUPE delegates took part in the “Leap” rally, along with hundreds of local community and labour activists. Many of the banners and placards emphasized the need for investment in renewable energy projects, to create jobs while curbing carbon emissions.

 

            The mood of the rally was simultaneously festive and wistful. Participants celebrated the defeat of the Harper Conservatives, but many were still talking about the NDP’s “missed opportunity.” While most were pleased that the new Liberal government has responded positively to some of the demands raised by mass movements, there were also warnings that the Liberals support the Trans-Pacific Partnership deal and other key elements of the corporate agenda.

 

            Besides Moist, other prominent speakers at the Leap rally included Tsleil-Waututh First Nation anti-fossil fuel campaigner Reuben George, Stephen Lewis, and author Naomi Klein. Lewis made a point of welcoming the growing expressions of opposition to capitalism, in terms which could imply criticism of the NDP’s centrist election campaign. All of the speakers called for unity of the labour movement, environmentalists, indigenous peoples and other progressive forces, but none addressed the thorny relationship between such struggles and the NDP.

 

            These contradictions were evident in the “Strategic Directions” document adopted by delegates on the final day of the convention. Titled “Building Workers’ Power,” the paper outlines key issues facing organized labour today, and projects the main priorities for CUPE over the two years before the union’s next national convention.

 

            Despite its revolutionary title, the document does not use the terms capitalism or socialism, instead presenting a broad outline of the neoliberal attack on working people, and the necessary response by trade unions. “Strategic Directions” calls for a range of approaches to strengthen the ability of CUPE to organize and engage in collective bargaining, to help elect NDP governments, and to protect the planet and fight for global justice. It also lays out a series of progressive policies, and advocates a “social unionism” approach to build wider movements around these issues.

 

            Analysing the recent federal election, “Strategic Directions” argues that “the Liberal party successfully positioned itself to the left in the eyes of Canadians,” and goes on to state that “CUPE remains committed to ensuring that the New Democratic Party represents workers’ interests, and supporting the NDP to represent our interests in the political sphere. CUPE will participate in the NDP’s review of this election campaign, offering critical but constructive input and advice. We will continue to build our political party, the NDP. We must encourage more involvement in our party throughout the union....”

 

            Given that many progressive activists were deeply disappointed by the NDP’s acceptance of fundamental neoliberal economics in recent elections (BC, Ontario, and now federal), it remains to be seen how the new CUPE leadership will convince its own members that the NDP really is the political party of the trade union movement.

 

            “Strategic Directions” can be accessed at the CUPE website, www.cupe.ca. 

 

(The above article is from the November 16-30, 2015, issue of People's Voice, Canada's leading socialist newspaper. Articles can be reprinted free if the source is credited. Subscription rates in Canada: $30/year, or $15 low income rate; for U.S. readers - $45 US per year; other overseas readers - $45 US or $50 CDN per year. Send to People's Voice, c/o PV Business Manager, 706 Clark Drive, Vancouver, BC, V5L 3J1.)