Sisters and Brothers, Friends, Partners:
I wanted to take a moment and thank you for the dedication and hard work that you continuously provide for our Local and for the work you do in our community.
Without your support and dedication to this Local we never would have been where we are right now.
We have consistently had quorums. We have new, active, and productive committees to make us better. Thank you to everyone who is working so hard on those great committees, you are so appreciated. I especially want to thank all the members who are newly involved and stepping up for committees. We couldn’t do all of this without you.
We are building stronger relationships with our employers so that they respect the work we do and treat us accordingly. We are strengthening our relationships with our members, and that is growing daily.
We have more Shop Stewards, and Rank and File members on our committees.
We have more grievances and solution-seeking meetings than ever before.
We have members seeking treatment.
We have a wonderful space to work-in and gather.
We are starting to get member information organized and updated.
We have our finances being overseen meticulously and we have complete transparency.
We have had Strategic Planning, training, conferences and have achieved an amazing bargaining results in the NVSD thus far, and will execute the same strategic focus on the upcoming municipal negotiations for our other units.
We have strengthened our relationships within our executive. We have a supported and worked alongside other reps, office staff and officers. We are seeking solutions and doing this together.
We are having members stay for entire meetings.
We have had to upgrade our ZOOM to allow more members the ability to attend.
We have a new website.
We have a new vision.
We have so many members calling, coming into the office, emailing, saying thank you and supporting each other.
We have had many interactions with Mayors, Counsellors, Trustees, visits to so many units from them inviting me to visit, participate and build stronger relations. This has also been valuable to meet and speak with so many members.
I am probably forgetting many things we can all be thankful for, but I wanted to name a few of the things we have accomplished over the last 9 months! We have done so much!
I am grateful and honoured to be your President.
I am also thankful I’m still standing! 😬
I want to wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Warm regards,
Yvette Mercier,
President, CUPE 389
