CUPE BC signs on to block ‘dirty oil’ pipeline
BURNABY—The CUPE BC Environment Committee is calling on members across the province to say ‘no’ to dirty oil. The committee is calling for CUPE members to sign on to a petition to US president Barack Obama to stop plans for a cross-border pipeline from the Tar Sands. The goal is 50,000 signatures. Petition sponsor Avaaz […]
HST result a win for tax fairness, says CUPE BC
BURNABY—Today’s referendum result rejecting the harmonized sales tax (HST) by a nearly 10-per-cent margin sends a clear message that British Columbians are becoming fed up with tax changes that favour corporations and the wealthy, says the Canadian Union of Public Employees. “This is a victory for fair taxation,” said CUPE BC president Barry O’Neill, commenting […]
Details of Tentative Settlement in Community Living Services and General Services
BURNABY—The Community Social Services Bargaining Association (CSSBA) today released the Comprehensive Report and the detailed language changes in the tentative settlement. Information briefing and balloting arrangements are being finalized and will be provided as soon as possible. “This agreement is welcome as it offers important improvements for workers who support children, women, adults with developmental […]
CUPE mourns First Air crash victims
BURNABY – CUPE BC president Barry O’Neill offered heartfelt condolences to the families of the 12 crew and passengers lost in the crash of First Air flight 6560 in Resolute, Nunavut. “All of us at CUPE BC are deeply saddened by this tragedy,” said O’Neill, “our thoughts and prayers go out to the families at […]
No Fair Deal at PNE
VANCOUVER—Contract talks have broken down between the PNE and CUPE Local 1004 workers. The close to 4,000 workers say they will not disrupt the Fair, which runs until Sept. 5. This is the first time in decades that a collective agreement has not been reached before the start of the annual Pacific National Exhibition Fair. […]
Statement on the death of Jack Layton
Like all Canadians, CUPE BC and its members were deeply saddened by the news this morning that federal NDP leader Jack Layton had lost his final battle with cancer and has passed away at age 61. For working people everywhere, Jack was truly like a member of the family. Throughout his public life—from his time […]
Stop the blame game when it comes to local government revenues—CUPE BC
BURNABY—The following letter to the editor was submitted by CUPE BC president Barry O’Neill in response to an op-ed by Independent Contractors and Businesses Association president Philip Hochstein in the July 31st edition of the Vancouver Province. The Province chose not to publish O’Neill’s response. August 3, 2011 To the editor Vancouver Province It was […]
Tentative agreement
Strike averted as deal improves job security and fair work practices VANCOUVER—A tentative agreement has been reached for British Columbia’s 15,000 community-based social service workers, thereby averting a strike. Talks went into the weekend to avert looming job action. Key bargaining demands were met, as the tentative agreement improves job security and fair work practices […]
Air Transat deal proves ‘anything is possible’
MONTREAL—Air Transat flight attendants have ratified a new collective agreement crediting a united front during negotiations. CUPE Air Transat Component members voted 65 per cent in favour of a five-year agreement retroactive to November 1, 2010. The flight attendants refused to accept concessions at the table and fought for and won their major bargaining goals, […]
Final bargaining push
VANCOUVER—Last ditch community social services bargaining talks resumed August 9, and lasted through the week. Talks are set to continue on Monday. Your bargaining committee has been clear that any agreement must focus on yourkey demands – namely job security, fair work practices, and dealing with thecontinuing bleeding of jobs and decimation of services in […]
