Notes from Convention – Part 2
As resolutions came to the floor, the energy in the room changed. In a year without major elections, this is the meat of the convention, as delegates direct our executive to fight for those issues most important to the member locals. Thursday included resolutions from Universities Committee, Young Workers’ Task Force, International Solidarity Committee, Transportation Committee, CARD, and more.
Following one long round of debate, the vote was so close that the President asked for a second show of hands and announced the motion carried. Another brother at the mic called for a recount, having read the room differently. A third show of hands was still too close to call and a standing count was requested. The doors were tiled and in the end the numbers showed that the brother on the floor had been right to ask for a recount — the motion failed by fewer than 30 votes.
We also heard from CUPE President Paul Moist, activist Napolean Gomez, and workers from the Portland Hotel Society (members of CUPE 1004).
Friday is “Finance Day” kicking off with an Economic Summit over breakfast that led into a day of reports from the Secretary-Treasurer Paul Faoro, Trustees, the National Secretary-Treasurer Charles Fleury, and speeches from Federal NDP Finance Critic Nathan Cullen, and Kathleen Monk, policy advisor from the Broadbent Institute.