P3 water – Public money used to push ‘private’ option
ABBOTSFORD—Today’s announcement of a federal grant for the city’s P3 water plan comes as no surprise. The announcement this morning of a $65.7-million grant (of taxpayers’ money) is the federal government’s way of pushing communities to privatize public services like water treatment and delivery. The announcement doesn’t change the math. Public Private Partnerships still cost more, […]
CRD municipal workers reach tentative agreement
VICTORIA—CUPE Local 1978 and the Capital Regional District (CRD) have reached a tentative contract settlement. Details will be released once the Canadian Union of Public Employees, the CRD and the Greater Victoria Labour Relations Association have all ratified the new agreement. The parties were in negotiations for nearly six months. Their last collective agreement expired […]
CUPE’s K-12 Presidents’ Council meets to set provincial bargaining priorities
BURNABY—The presidents of CUPE’s K-12 support staff locals met in Richmond Wednesday to discuss the progress of provincial bargaining, set key priorities, and identify the next steps towards securing a provincial settlement. CUPE K-12 Locals from around the province were well represented by over 50 presidents and local leaders. At the meeting, the K-12 Presidents’ […]
Citizen takes on City Hall over P3 plan
ABBOTSFORD—As the City of Abbotsford continues their expensive P3 campaign, more and more citizens are raising concerns and questions about the Stave Lake P3 water project. That’s the word from Laurie Hoekstra, 46, who was born and raised in Abbotsford. She took her concerns to Abbotsford City Council Monday night saying “there are too many […]
Join the phone mob to stop CETA
https://youtube.com/watch?v=iiKGaQhv3uA%3Frel%3D0 Afraid that CETA might come to a community near you? Talks between Canada and the European Union are taking place right now to try and negotiate this deal and, this could be the last round of negotiations. It’s not too late to stop CETA but, we do need to take action now. Join […]
Rick Mowles dismissed as CEO of Community Living BC
BURNABY—CEO of Community Living BC (CLBC), Rick Mowles, has had his last day on the job. CLBC announced October 14, that Mowles had been dismissed from his position at CLBC effective immediately. The agency denies that it is a response to bad publicity and said that Mowles was let go because board members feel that […]
BC communities sound alarm on CETA
BURNABY—B.C. communities are joining the growing opposition to the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement. Several have recently passed resolutions demanding that provincial and territorial governments negotiate a clear, permanent exemption for local governments from the trade deal. The following B.C. communities have already raised concerns about or passed resolutions against CETA: Burnaby, Chilliwack School District, […]
Occupy Vancouver begins with protesters in it for the long haul
VANCOUVER—The Occupy Vancouver movement began Saturday with over 4,000 people coming together outside the Vancouver Art Gallery. CUPE 4094 president David Pacheco, who represents Air Canada flight attendants at Vancouver International Airport, was there to speak at the event. Pacheco said that “this government doesn’t believe in workers’ rights,” and that his members are supporting Occupy […]
New agreement ratified
New contract improves job security and fair work practices BURNABY—Community-based social service workers from the nine unions in the sector have approved their new collective agreements. The vote was 88 per cent in favour for General Services and 79 per cent in favour for Community Living Services. The agreement improves job security and fair work […]
CSS workers approve new contracts
New agreement improves job security, work practices in community-based social services sector BURNABY—British Columbia’s frontline community-based social service workers have approved their new collective agreements. The vote was 88 per cent in favour for General Services and 79 per cent in favour for Community Living Services. “This agreement offers important improvements for workers who support […]
