Presidents Message

November 24th, 2024 

 Dear: CUPE 1267 Members, 

I am deeply honored to serve as your new President of CUPE Local 1267 and extremely grateful for the trust you've placed in me to lead our local. I also want to express deep gratitude to Joan McPherson, who has tirelessly served Local 1267 for many, many years as President! Joan's unwavering dedication and hard work in her role have paved the way for many of the successes we enjoy today. I know I speak for all of us in saying that Joan's contributions have laid the foundation for our successes and we are deeply appreciative for her service. 

For those who do not know me well, yet, I am a proud mother to pre-teens and wife of an entrepreneur pursuing his dream while proudly employed as a federal officer within a unionized environment. I have been with the City of Mission for 10 years now, and from the early days of my employment, I have always had a keen interest in serving the union. As a long-time shop steward and more recently as Chief Shop Steward, I've gained valuable insights into the executive board's functions and developed additional skills to navigate complex matters that have arisen. This experience ignited a passion for collective success and inspired me to put my name forward for this leadership role. 

My vision for Local 1267 is simple yet powerful: to create a united, informed, and empowered membership. I want every voice to be heard, every right upheld, and every member to feel supported in achieving their individual and collective goals. By fostering collaboration, transparency, and advocacy, I believe we can make Local 1267 a beacon of fairness, opportunity, and strength. A key part of this vision is fostering a safe and positive environment where we cultivate healthy relationships with management while remaining firm and professional in advocating for our rights. Being unionized doesn't mean we can't work together respectfully—it means we approach challenges with tact while standing strong in our commitment to protect and uphold our rights. 

My commitment to you all is that I will lead with integrity, compassion, and purpose, fostering an environment where each member is empowered to understand their rights (because they've read and understand the collective agreement), advocate for themselves and others (because they believe in the importance and strength of their voice), and create positive change by asking questions without hesitation and recognizing the appropriate steps to move forward. By building stronger relationships, promoting inclusivity, and championing fairness, WE, the Union, will work to ensure the well-being, growth, and success of every member, and commit to paving the way for a consistently stronger and more resilient future! 

Remember, knowledge is a powerful tool! Be confident in navigating workplace challenges while fostering a positive and supportive environment for yourselves and your union friends. Let's continue to build a membership that thrives on mutual respect, shared purpose and collective strength. 

As we move forward, your input and engagement will be vital in shaping our union's efforts. I encourage each of you to reflect on how you want to get involved within Local 1267. What does that look like for you? Does it mean volunteering for events, stepping up for a position on the executive board, becoming a trustee, or serving as a shop steward? Whatever your path, your contribution matters! Remember, putting your name forward for a position is not about running against others—it's about stepping up to show your passion and commitment to representing our membership. Each nomination is a testament to the strength and dedication of our local 1267, and I encourage everyone to embrace this opportunity to make a difference. So, get involved where you can, stay informed, and let's continue building on the successes we've achieved so far. 

To wrap up this first of many communications, I want to emphasize that I am not navigating this journey alone – our incredible team of dedicated Shop Stewards and Executive Members are here to support you as well. That said, we do wear multiple hats (and not always stylish ones), balancing these roles alongside our regular jobs. So, while we may not be able to get back to you immediately, rest assured that every contact matters, and we will respond as soon as we can. 

 Feel free to reach out via email, text, or call – or find me on 1st Avenue, in the heart of downtown! Let's make this term one of connection, collaboration, and collective success! 

 In Solidarity, 

 Rimmi Purewal | President​CUPE Local 1267