PORT HARDY— CUPE 2045 members voted overwhelmingly in favour of merging with CUPE 401 last week.
The merger would see more than 250 CUPE 2045 members become three units of CUPE 401. CUPE 401 is a multi-sector local which currently represents almost 1,800 members across Vancouver Island.
“CUPE 2045 believes that this merger is the best move for our membership given the current bargaining climate and the issues our local is facing. Our municipal workers in Port Alice recently gave our bargaining committee a very strong strike mandate in efforts to achieve a fair and reasonable collective agreement,” says CUPE 2045 president Joanne Welch.
“CUPE 401 currently represents 11 units and has a much larger operating budget than we currently have, combining resources will give us access to greater bargaining expertise, more resources and better representation.”
Welch notes the next step is for CUPE 401 to hold a vote to accept the new members into their local, which is scheduled for February 4.
CUPE 2045 currently represents support staff for School District #85 (Vancouver Island North), municipal employees of the Village of Port Alice, and the recreational staff of the District of Port Hardy.
cope491