PROUD HISTORY: CUPE BC secretary-treasurer Mark Hancock reminded delegates of the union's ability to make a difference with collective action.

RICHMOND—CUPE’s B.C. regional strategic bargaining conference wrapped up on February 3 with delegates determined to work more closely across CUPE sectors and in a united, common front across the public sector as contract negotiations progress in 2012.

RICHMOND—CUPE’s B.C. regional bargaining strategies conference continued on Thursday with delegates separating into provincial and locally-funded sectors—and then into individual sectors—to discuss bargaining priorities for 2012.

Presentations throughout the day focused on helping delegates understand the current bargaining climate in B.C., including provincial and federal political factors.

 RICHMOND—For Day One of CUPE’s regional bargaining strategies conference, delegates attended four of a possible nine workshops on various issues CUPE locals are facing at the bargaining table this year:

LIVELY DISCUSSION—From left, CUPE Research rep and panel host Blair Redlin introduces Ronald Boisrond, Bonnie Pearson, Robin Jones, and Don Vipond.

RICHMOND—CUPE’s B.C.

RICHMOND—Thanks to the growing income gap between the richest and poorest citizens, and relentless labour-bashing by the federal Conservative and BC Liberal governments, CUPE members have more cause than ever to unite across sectors and work with other unions to restore free collective bargaining, CUPE National president Paul Moist told delegates in his keynote address on Tuesday night.  

Moist began his remarks by commenting on BC Liberal Finance Minister Kevin Falcon’s response to a BC Statistics

RICHMOND—CUPE has come a long way in its embrace of strategic, coordinated bargaining across sectors and unions, CUPE BC president Barry O’Neill told delegates, in his welcoming remarks on Tuesday night.

CUPE Health Care Workers began bargaining last week, joined by over 13,000 workers employed in the Community Health sector. Talks commenced between the multi-union Community Bargaining Association (CBA) and the Health Employers’ Association of B.C. (HEABC) on January 23 with the exchange of opening remarks and the initial tabling of proposals.  

RICHMOND—CUPE Regional’s first provincial bargaining strategies conference in three years kicks off this week (January 31-February 3), with about 260 delegates prepared to tackle the key issues facing all sectors at the bargaining table in 2012.

The conference, themed “Bridging our Sectors to Strengthen Free Collective Bargaining in B.C.,” takes place at the Vancouver Airport Sheraton Hotel in Richmond beginning on Tuesday night with an opening plenary.

Multi-union CSSBA, employers agency to commence talks during week of February 27

BURNABY— Community-based social service workers across British Columbia are returning to the bargaining table in 2012.