CUPE college bargainers head back to local tables
BURNABY—CUPE locals in the CUPE Colleges Bargaining Council (CCBC) have returned to local bargaining tables to resume bargaining discussions. The College and Institute Support Staff Bargaining Association (CISSBA) met with the Post-Secondary Employers’ Council (PSEA) last week and after joint discussions the parties agreed to resume provincial talks at a later time. CISSBA includes CUPE […]
Remembering and recommitting to safer workplaces
VANCOUVER—CUPE locals at UBC organized a well-attended ceremony to mark the National Day of Mourning for workers lost or injured on the job. Piper Jenna Potter, whose father is a CUPE member, led a procession from Flag Pole Plaza to the CUPE 116 memorial site. Also in the procession were CUPE 116 president Colleen Garbe […]
Air Transat flight attendants seek conciliation
MONTREAL – The union representing some 1,400 Air Transat flight attendants today asked the Federal Ministry of Labour to appoint a conciliator to assist in ongoing negotiations. The union representatives noted that, after 24 bargaining sessions since September 2010, the employer is seeking major concessions from the flight attendants. Fifteen days after today’s request, a […]
BC CLAG calls for action on Community Living crisis
VANCOUVER – Community Living advocates are calling on the premier to use her “Families First” approach for those supporting adults with developmental disabilities. Respite, day programs and other community living supports have been eroded or cut in recent years, leaving families and adults struggling. Many remain on lengthy waitlists or face significantly reduced choices when […]
Courtenay city workers vote to strike for fairness and respect
COURTENAY—Last night, the city workers of Courtenay, represented by CUPE 556, voted 92 per cent to strike for fairness and respect on the job. Despite huge budget surpluses, exorbitant managerial wages and substantial boosts to private contractor pay, the city workers are frustrated by the employer’s argument that they cannot afford to properly compensate city […]
City Watch launches in Surrey
SURREY—CUPE BC’s successful City Watch program welcomed another B.C. community as a partner today, with the City of Surrey joining the initiative. The Surrey City Watch program was launched today at Surrey City Hall at an event featuring Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts, CUPE BC Secretary-Treasurer Mark Hancock and CUPE 402 President Laurie Larsen. Larsen said […]
CUPE members utilize skills to help community
Habitat for Humanity multi-plex building project a cooperative effort involving Habitat for Humanity, the City of Grand Forks and CUPE 4728 members GRAND FORKS — CUPE 4728 members are volunteering their services for a community project that brings together municipal workers, the City of Grand Forks and Habitat for Humanity. Grand Forks’ City Council donated […]
Community social services workers ‘owed so much more’
VANCOUVER — CUPE National President Paul Moist was just in Vancouver to speak at the CUPE BC annual convention. He has a strong message for community social services workers and for the employers’ association: “Community social service workers provide support and frontline services that maintain our social safety net. They are the people who are […]
CUPE BC Convention sets course for 2011-2012
O’Neill, Hancock and GVPs re-elected by acclamation VANCOUVER—CUPE BC’s 48th annual convention drew to a close today, with more than 500 delegates re-electing President Barry O’Neill for a seventh term and Secretary-Treasurer Mark Hancock for a fourth term. In addition, delegates re-elected General Vice-Presidents Debbie Taylor, Paul Faoro, Cindy McQueen and Trevor Davies. Delegates also […]
New video: Caring for students and B.C. public schools
VANCOUVER—CUPE BC’s K-12 committee presented a new video featuring members at work throughout the province at the CUPE BC 2011 convention. Committee chair Deb Taylor said that convention delegates received the video with enthusiastic applause. “The video shows the range of work that CUPE members do within the public school system. We work directly with […]
