CUPE BC endorses Laird Cronk and Sussanne Skidmore for BC Federation of Labour leadership

BURNABY, BC, Nov 15, 2018 /CNW/ - CUPE BC's Executive Board has voted to endorse Laird Cronk and Sussanne Skidmore for president and secretary-treasurer of the BC Federation of Labour. Incumbent president Irene Lanzinger and secretary-treasurer Aaron Ekman have announced they are not seeking re-election.

"On behalf of all 92,000 CUPE members in British Columbia, I want to thank both Irene and Aaron for their service to the labour movement and wish them well in the next chapter of their lives," said Faoro. "I am absolutely confident that Laird and Sussanne will be a great leadership team for the Federation, and I'm looking forward to working with them both.

"I've known Laird and Sussanne for many years, and I've worked with them both as an Officer of the Federation. I know their values are solid, and their common-sense, consensus-building approach will help the labour movement position itself to take full advantage of the opportunities for growth in the coming years," said Faoro.

CUPE BC General Vice President Karen Ranalletta has been an Officer of the BC Fed for 4 years, and said that Cronk and Skidmore will be an effective team, bringing experience in both the public and private sectors of the labour movement.

"I've seen Laird and Sussanne in action as members of the Fed's Executive Council, and their values, commitment and passion, as well as their combination of skills, experience and backgrounds, is exactly what we need at the Federation," said Ranalletta. "Making the labour movement even stronger and more effective is going to take a lot of hard work with all affiliates and the broader progressive movement in B.C. Laird and Sussanne are up for the job, and I'm very proud to support their candidacy."

The BC Federation of Labour convention runs from November 26 – November 30 in Vancouver.

CUPE BC is British Columbia's largest union, representing more than 92,000 workers delivering important public services in almost every community in the province.

SOURCE Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE)

Clay Suddaby, CUPE National Communications Representative, 604-313-1138, @CUPEBC, [email protected]