PRINCE GEORGE—English Language Associates at the University of Northern BC have voted to become CUPE members.

CUPE 3799 president Dale Laluk says that the local is very pleased to have them join. "We have been seeking to organize these members for two years, and after overcoming some hurdles, they have finally become members.

PORT ALBERNI—CUPE 727 representing workers in Alberni schools on Vancouver Island has welcomed StrongStart workers as new members.

The new members work in elementary schools in Port Alberni, Tofino, Ucluelet and Bamfield. They are certified Early Childhood Educators and have considerable experience in the early child development field.

Local president Laura Johnston says that the StrongStart workers are a good fit for CUPE 727, since the local that already represents Education Assistants who work directly with students.

BURNABY— The recent efforts in Wisconsin and some other American states by radical right-wing governments to strip public sector workers of the right to collective bargaining has potentially huge ramifications for Canadian public sector workers as well. CUPE has been an active participant in recent rallies in the US to protest these divisive and punitive policies.

Canadian unions stand in solidarity with our sisters and brothers in the US.

KELOWNA—CUPE 338 welcomed 90 new members from the Association of Local Government Employees Union (ALGEU) in a voluntary transfer of bargaining rights approved by the Labour Board yesterday.

“We are pleased to welcome these workers into CUPE 338,” says CUPE 338 president Brent Soroka. “They will be an excellent fit and will complement our union.”

The ALGEU has been a union for close to 30 years. Members are regional government employees providing municipal services in Kelowna and area.