Bulletin
Advance voting opens October 15; A word from our Table Officers
October 14, 2020
To: All MoveUP Members in BC
Advance voting for the provincial election opens on Thursday, October 15. Polling stations are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on each day of advanced polling from October 15 to 21. I encourage everyone to take advantage of these opportunities to vote early and vote safely with less line ups. For a list of polling stations, please visit wheretovote.elections.bc.ca.
If you were one of the thousands of voters who requested a mail-in ballot, I also encourage you to drop it off before the end of this week so that it arrives by the deadline on October 24.
It is no secret that our union – including an overwhelming majority of our members as we have seen through the membership surveys we have conducted in the past – are supporters of the BC NDP and for good reason. While we have watched the BC Liberals and their previous incarnations put in place policies that rewards their big business friends, anti-worker employers, and big money donors, the BC NDP understands that it is workers and working families that drive our economy.
That is not to say things are always perfect. Even with a BC NDP government that we fully support, we have disagreements. But the biggest difference is that the BC Liberals force workers to constantly be on the defensive – fighting for their survival, fighting against cuts to services, fighting against cuts to their rights. Compare that to the BC NDP government who has worked to make B.C. more affordable (such as eliminating bridge tolls and bringing in $10/day childcare) and dealing with the biggest pandemic in our lifetime with thought and compassion for people.
With a BC NDP government, our voice is heard and our opinions matter. They understand the concerns of regular people and work to keep our communities safe and strong.
With a BC NDP government, we can continue to push for a higher standard that can lift all working people and their families. We can press for more paid sick days, more paid days for domestic violence leave, more funding for transit, more funding for education, more funding for health care, more funding for childcare, and raising the minimum wage.
The BC Liberals have failed us. From tearing up collective agreements with teachers and in long-term care facilities that led to massive layoffs, the BC Liberals have proven that they are not our friends and certainly don’t care about the people who keep our communities going. I support the BC NDP because they stand up for workers, our families, and our rights.
I have asked each of our table officers as well to include a statement below.
“Rebuilding our economy does not happen by cutting taxes for the wealthy or privatizing our public services and sending money outside our province like the BC Liberals want. I support the BC NDP because they understand building a strong economy means investing in the people who keep it going and that’s workers and families.” – Lori Mayhew, Secretary-Treasurer
“The BC Liberals looted ICBC and then lied to the public about it. Now they want to take your premiums and line the pockets of wealthy CEOs from big insurance companies outside the province. I support the BC NDP because they’re committed to making our public car insurance stronger with better coverage, reduced rates, and eliminating costly legal battles.” – Annette Toth, Vice-President, ICBC unit
“When the BC Liberals were in government, we watched them contract out the jobs of our members and sign sweetheart deals with private, independent power producers to drive all our costs up. I support the BC NDP returning power back to the public where it belongs.” – Rysa Kronebusch, Vice-President, Utilities unit
“As an early childhood educator, I support the BC NDP for their work in expanding childcare, allowing families to reduce costs and parents to get back to the workplace and contribute to the economy. Hearing the BC Liberals call childcare ‘harmful’ in the past is sad and shows how out of touch they are with families.” – Christy Slusarenko, Vice-President, Combined Units
When you go and vote, ask yourself which party works for you and your family.
For our union, the answer is clear: The BC NDP.
In solidarity,
David Black
President