Western Region Sets Priorities
More than 250 delegates from locals across the West were focused on
planning at the 2005 Western Region Conference held in Victoria,
November 20th to 23rd.
Western Region officers decided that input from local unions was critical as the union faces
uncertain times in a period of fiscal restraint. Delegates spent two days in workshop sessions setting
goals and objectives and developing actions plans for implementation of their priorities.
Regional Vice President Dave Coles told delegates the most important reason
for planning is to ensure we are building a solid future. He said, “We must set
priorities and ensure we get the most out of our resources. There have been
many successes, but we can do so much better if we have a better
understanding of the big picture.”
Coles said that, delegates to the conference have set the agenda for the
Western Region in the days, months and years ahead. He pledged that “the
goals and objectives of delegates will be the same goals and objectives of the
Western Region officers”.
Click to View Western Region Goals & Objectives
President’s Remarks
CEP President Brian Payne told the opening plenary session that employer
cutbacks and plant closures, with their resulting layoffs and the number of
lengthy strikes in the past year have put a strain on the union’s finances.
Payne said the National Executive Board has adopted budget which contain
measures that will ensure the union will be in sound financial shape when
delegates arrive at the CEP convention in Vancouver next fall. However, he
assured members that CEP will not change how it behaves as a union, despite
its financial difficulties.
He noted that national per capita dues were recently increased to replenish the defense fund. But he
said, “we need to be clear that defense fund will be rebuilt, but in the meantime members can be sure
that national union will be there if locals need to take on a fight. The fund’s purpose is first and
foremost to defend our members in their struggle for their rights on the job.”
Keynote Speech
Elaine Bernard, director of Harvard Law School’s Labour and Work Life
Program was the conference keynote speaker.
Bernard called on CEP to set a proposeful direction and develop strategies
that will succeed in these difficult times. She said the most important time for
unions to plan is when things are changing.
She also recommended that CEP move toward building what she calls “fullcapacity
locals”. Bernard said, “Most union members experience with the
union comes through the local, not the national. As result, locals need much
more capacity to mobilize, organize, represent and educate their members.
There is no way there will ever be enough national and local staff and officers
to do everything that needs to be done. By involving more and more local
members the load will be lessened. Its important to start thinking more about
how we are doing the job, rather than what we are doing.
Click for Officers’
Reports and Videos
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Conference Photos
