CUPE National President Mark Hancock spoke to CUPE Alberta Convention delegates saying the pandemic has highlighted the importance of undervalued workers, and presents opportunities as we start to rebuild in the wake of COVID-19.
“As much as we talk about wanting to get back to normal, we also know that normal wasn’t actually good enough. We can’t go back to normal – we need to come back much stronger than that.”
Hancock emphasized the need to fight for a social safety net that meets the needs of our times, as we look at a possible federal election this year.
“Long-term care centres faced tragic and horrifying outbreaks that needlessly took the lives of far too many. It’s unacceptable that in 2021 we’re still forcing people to go to work sick in the middle of a pandemic because they can’t afford to miss a shift. And it’s shameful we have not had the necessary income supports for Canadians when they lose their job through no fault of their own.”
Hancock took aim at “business as usual” from Jason Kenney’s Conservative government.
“While they cut from our schools, our hospitals, our post-secondary institutions, and our municipalities, they’re handing out $4.7 billion to profitable corporations.”
“Jason Kenney’s priorities are completely upside down!”
