Wednesday, Auguts 9th, 2023
To: All members of CUPE-Air Transat
Regarding the upcoming by-election for temporary Component Vice-President; some members have shared their concerns about the exceptional timelines that were approved by Mark Hancock’s office, Presdient of CUPE National.
I have heard and read your concerns about submitting your candidacy which, in the notice I had sent on July 31, the deadline stated August 14 at 12 noon EST.
Before I was to leave on a pairing, my liaison at Simply Voting told me they needed all necessary documents by August 8! However, after speaking with my liaison Tuesday, I was able to sort out Simply Voting’s concerns, and can confirm that the candidate submission deadline remains as is, August 14 at 12 noon EST.
The election vote starting on August 15 at 12 noon EST, the day after the candidate submission deadline, posed a challenge. First, it left no time to announce to the membership the candidates running on the ballot, and secondly, there was no time allowance for the candidates to do any campaigning.
After I spoke with and emailed Mark Hancock’s office, am pleased to report the following modifications were approved for this exceptional by-election process:
- Revised election dates : August 21 at 12 noon EST – August 31 at 12 noon EST.
- The candidates will have from August 14 – August 20 to campaign.
- After the candidate submission deadline on August 14 at 12 noon EST, the Tabulating committee shall send a notice on the same say (August 14) to all members stating the candidates on the ballot.
N.B. For this by-election, all exceptions to the component by-laws have been approved by brother Mark Hancock’s CUPE National President’s office.
In Solidarity,
Maria Zongos, for your component Tabulating Committee