Status quo budget a reminder of BC Liberal failure: CUPE BC
VICTORIA—The provincial government’s self-styled “status quo” budget announced today is a damning indictment of BC Liberal policy over the past decade, says the Canadian Union of Public Employees. “The status quo means business as usual, and that is unacceptable to all but the richest British Columbians,” said CUPE BC president Barry O’Neill. “If there are […]
SkyTrain workers take strike vote
BURNABY—Members of CUPE 7000, SkyTrain workers, supported their bargaining committee’s recommendations and voted on February 11 to take strike action if needed. “We hope it doesn’t come to that,” says CUPE 7000 president Gerry Cunningham. “We don’t want to inconvenience the thousands of commuters who rely daily on the services we provide.” The current contract […]
‘Have a Heart’ residents tell Mayor
PENTICTON—Dozens of residents sent a Valentine’s message to Penticton’s Mayor and Council yesterday calling on them to have a heart and stop privatization plans for the Community Centre. The group including seniors, moms with kids, CUPE members, other union members and the general public rallied at the Band Shell. They heard from speakers before walking […]
CUPE BC celebrates Black History Month
BURNABY—In an effort to promote an active and inclusive union and to promote equality in our society and our workplaces, CUPE BC and its members celebrate black history every year during the month of February. This is a chance to acknowledge and celebrate the many contributions made to British Columbian society, and to our Union, […]
Barry O’Neill on public services and privatization
BURNABY–CUPE BC president Barry O’Neill recently visited Penticton to meet with members of CUPE 608, Penticton municipal workers. Members have been actively trying to raise public awareness and stop Mayor and Council’s bid to privatize the community centre and other public services like parks. O’Neill spoke to Penticton local radio station Giant-FM about the value […]
CUPE members encouraged to attend mineworkers memorial February 17
BURNABY—CUPE BC is committed to global solidarity and supporting the plight of workers everywhere. We are asking CUPE members to join with our friends in the United Steel Workers at a rally next Thursday, February 17 to support and commemorate the 65 Mexican mine workers killed in a mining explosion in 2006. Mexican workers deserve […]
Unionized work saves millions
BURNABY—Municipalities considering contracting out garbage in a bid to lower costs may want to pay attention to a recent CBC report from the City of Ottawa. The report says that using unionized garbage collectors in the downtown core saved that city almost $5 million over the last four years. The findings were authenticated by accounting […]
CUPE 358 reaches settlement and bids adieu
NORTH COWICHAN—CUPE 358 Duncan and North Cowichan civic workers have seen a few changes in the last week. Not only did they ratify a new collective agreement, they welcomed new president Ron Salvati and said goodbye to retiring president Thomas Turner. Their new agreement provides for wage increases in each of three contract years. As […]
Burnaby education forum shines a light on funding shortfalls
BURNABY-The challenges and solutions facing public education were front and centre at a town hall forum in Burnaby on February 2. Burnaby MLAs Kathy Corrigan and Raj Chouhan were among the crowd of close to 75 people in attendance. Co-hosted by CUPE 379 and the Burnaby Teachers’ Association, the forum included a panel of presenters […]
Second CUPE local rejects Health Science Professionals agreement
BURNABY — CUPE 15 members have also voted strongly against a proposed agreement in the Health Science Professionals sector. The two-year deal features no general wage increase and no new money. Members of CUPE Local 15, representing workers with Vancouver Coastal Health, voted 95% against the proposed agreement. “Members were disappointed with some of the […]
