Hancock: If we engage workers we can’t be stopped

“Just because you don’t take an interest in politics doesn’t mean that politics won’t take an interest in you.”

CUPE National President Mark Hancock quoted the Greek philosopher Pericles in his address to the CUPE Alberta convention to make the point that CUPE members have to engage in the upcoming Alberta provincial election.

“Danielle Smith is hoping no one is paying attention,” said Hancock. “Her plan to crush public health care and gamble Albertans’ pensions only works if everyday people like us aren’t paying attention.”

“That’s precisely why it’s our job to sound the alarm, to get organized, and to fight back.”

Hancock pointed to union victories in New Brunswick and Ontario where CUPE members fought off conservative government attacks on public services and education. Hancock said he was particularly proud of the 55,000 education workers who fought education cuts and made Premier Doug Ford reverse course.

“It reminded us that even when our backs are against the wall, there is nothing stronger than the collective power of CUPE members and working people.”

Hancock listed the ways Danielle Smith and the UCP have been waging war on Alberta workers and took particular attention to the fact Smith wants to take Alberta out of the Canada Pension Plan.

“I wouldn’t trust Danielle Smith and the UCP to manage a Tim Horton’s drive-thru, never mind the retirement security of over four million Albertans.”

“We have to seize this opportunity to step up our fight, to engage our rank and file, and to lead our members into the fight.”