The following note from CUPE Local 79 President Tim Maguire is addressed to Local 79 members congratulating them for their 25 years of service to the City of Toronto.
Congratulations to each of the Local 79 members who are being honoured by the City of Toronto for 25 years of service at a series of luncheons over the next week. As President of Local 79, I am honoured to be asked to participate in these celebrations and to extend greetings to you on behalf of all Local 79 members.
As workers for the City of Toronto, you provide much needed, and appreciated, high quality services and programmes to Torontonians.
Over your many years of service you have been on the front lines delivering services and programmes that people need. It isn’t always easy work to do, and the fact that you have been doing it for 25 years is a tribute to your commitment and your dedication. You have served Torontonians through the time span of six City Hall administrations.
We are living, and you are working, in an era when appreciation for public sector workers, particularly municipal workers, is seemingly low and on the decline.
However, the work our members do, the services you provide are truly valued by the public.
In fact , a poll conducted by Environics Research Group from March 9 through March 12 of this year, commissioned by the Canadian Union of Public Employees, shows that three-quarters of Torontonians are satisfied with municipal services. 54% believe City workers are “critically important” to the services (91% said they are important, overall) and 77% of respondents believe that cuts to staffing would harm services!
You should be proud of your years of service. Let me say that Local 79 is proud of you – for your work, for your commitment and your service.
Again, congratulations to Local 79 members who are being recognized for 25 years of service.
In Solidarity,
Tim Maguire
President, CUPE Local 79
