Wage and benefit claims ‘outrageous’
VANCOUVER—Public employees have been targeted this week in local media. Two guest editorials in The Province newspaper have attacked the “outrageous” wages and benefits government employees make compared to other workers. The claims arise from a rightwing Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) study back in 2008 that claimed government employees earn 25 per cent […]
Cultus Lake workers vote for strike
CULTUS LAKE – Cultus Lake Park Board workers have voted 90 per cent in favour of strike action. The CUPE 458 members have been in contract negotiations since May 10. The 13 workers in the bargaining unit look after public buildings, maintain roads and grounds as well as the water and sewage system in Cultus Lake […]
CUPE in the news on “big box” child care
MAPLE RIDGE—CUPE BC’s child care working group was put on alert last week with the news that a Calgary-based private corporation has purchased five daycare centres in B.C. with plans to purchase at least two more. Working group chair Michael Lanier was quoted in the Maple Ridge News and later in the Vancouver Sun regarding […]
Still at the table—but ready for job action
BURNABY—B.C.’s community social services workers have moved closer to job action this week, with essential service levels now complete and an agreement reached on Tuesday regarding the outstanding issue of regional strike headquarters. A bargaining subcommittee of the Community Social Services Bargaining Association negotiating committee began bargaining this morning at 9:30 a.m. The small committee […]
Sooke Council shortens private sewage deal
SOOKE—The District Council has voted to extend its contract with a private sewage company for five years instead of 21 years. The decision came at a District Council meeting Monday night despite calls for a review of wastewater services that would consider more economical and transparent options. The Council originally tried to give Edmonton-based EPCOR […]
Sooke to discuss wastewater
SOOKE- CUPE Representatives will join community members and groups speaking at tonight’s Sooke District Council meeting on the future of wastewater services. Recently, residents soundly rejected a 21-year sewage deal with Edmonton-based EPCOR proposed by the Sooke Council. EPCOR’s current contract expires at the end of September. CUPE will be joining groups like Sooke Water […]
Support locked-out UFCW workers—shop elsewhere!
VANCOUVER—UFCW 1518 is asking all union members and the general public to respect its picket lines at the downtown Marketplace IGA store (#110-909 Burrard Street) after the employer locked out its members on July 29. The main issues in the dispute are wage increases, benefits for part-time workers, and positions that are filled out of […]
HST WRAP-UP RALLY TODAY
VANCOUVER – Join BC NDP leader Adrian Dix for a scrap the HST rally today Thursday, Aug. 4 – at 5:30pm in downtown Vancouver. The rally will be held in the courtyard at the Woodwards Building at 149 West Hastings. Map: http://bit.ly/rr0Zbs In less than a week, the HST referendum will be over. It’s been a […]
CUPE BC celebrates diversity at Pride ’11
VANCOUVER—CUPE activists once again enjoyed high visibility at this year’s Pride parade, with the union’s members forming a large part of the multi-union contingent in the annual festival. More than 600,000 people lined the parade route to witness a variety of colourful entries in the three-hour event on Sunday (July 31). The annual Pride parade […]
Community Social Services strike action likely in August
Majority of essential service levels now established, remainder by August 5 BURNABY—After numerous delays, community social service workers in B.C. can expect job action to commence in August. The long process of determining what services will be maintained as essential during a strike is finally drawing to a close. Essential services levels have now been […]
