Today, convention delegates welcomed President Judy Henley’s final report as President. In her report, she highlighted the significant and important work accomplished by CUPE members, locals, and leaders in 2023.

“It is an honour to be able to recognize the essential work of CUPE members as they continue to deliver vital public services in communities in every corner of our great province,” said Henley. “Now more than ever, we need to ensure we are bolstering and building up the public services Saskatchewan people rely on.”

In her written report summarizing the year, Henley highlighted the ongoing challenges resulting from years of provincial underfunding in the education sector and important support of CUPE members and dedicated education support workers as they joined Saskatchewan’s teachers, parents, and concerned citizens at the rally “Noise for Public Education” rally. She also reiterated CUPE’s ongoing support for the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation’s job action as the fight for better working conditions and learning environments for Saskatchewan kids.

She pointed to the ongoing challenges in health care, where frontline solutions from CUPE members and leadership have been bypassed for short-sighted, costly privatization schemes. Henley recognized the short-staffing and compensation challenges in health care and reiterated CUPE’s support for our health workers as they fight for a fair deal.

“Whether it’s health and education or our municipalities, CBO sector, universities or libraries, in an election year we need to fight to ensure those elected in all levels of government recognize the importance of Saskatchewan public services and those who deliver them,” said Henley.

Judy Henley, a health care worker and member of CUPE Local 5430 from Melville, Saskatchewan, has been active in CUPE since 1985. In that time, she has served as President from 2020 until the close of this Annual Convention on March 15, 2024, and previously served as the provincial Secretary-Treasurer for 20 years.

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