Health science professionals vote 90 per cent in favour of striking

VANCOUVER—Health science professionals have delivered a resounding 90 percent strike vote to back their bargaining committee in negotiations with BC’s health employers. “This strong vote sends a clear message to government and health authorities that it’s time to come to the table and negotiate a fair and reasonable collective agreement,” said Chris Losito, CUPE bargaining […]

More BC colleges behind picket lines

VICTORIA–Five more BC community colleges are on strike.  The job action comes after failed last minute efforts by CUPE to get the provincial government to sign off on collective agreements with BC’s 3,000 CUPE college support workers. Campus-wide CUPE strikes start at 6am this morning and include North Island College, Vancouver Island University, Camosun College, College […]

Limited job action continues in Community Health

VANCOUVER—Workers in community health continued limited job action last week, with over 60 BCGEU members picketing in Cranbrook on Wednesday. Over 200 union members were impacted by the strike at the Cranbrook Health Unit and Cranbrook Home Support. Striking workers want to send a message to health employers and to the BC Liberal government: it’s […]

UBC Teaching Assistants Ratify Contract

VANCOUVER – CUPE teaching assistants at the University of British Columbia have ratified a new collective agreement. The 2,300 members of CUPE Local 2278 approved the deal last night with an 82 per cent ratification vote. The local represents teaching assistants, tutors, markers and English language instructors. The deal is a no-concessions, four-year agreement with […]

BC College Workers Poised for Tuesday Strike

BC College Workers Poised for Tuesday Strike NANAIMO – CUPE staff at BC’s colleges are readying for strike action.  Tentative plans call for an all-campus walkout starting on Tuesday, Nov. 20. Organizers say they are leaving the door open for the BC government to stop stalling and settle with the 3,000 CUPE support workers who […]

Anti-Privatization Conference Closes

RICHMOND— CUPE members from all over the province learned last week how they can educate their own communities about the pitfalls of privatization and the importance and advantages associated with keeping public services public at CUPE BC’s Anti-Privatization Conference. “It has been proved time and time again that public services are more efficient and more […]

Community social services workers target Minister of Children and Families

SURREY—Caring not-for-profit community workers who provide counselling, mental health, transition housing, but also family, children and immigrant services in Surrey are on strike today. Striking workers have a message for Surrey-Panorama MLA Stephanie Cadieux: stop putting vulnerable families last! Striking workers will be protesting at Cadieux’s office at #120 – 5455 152nd Street in Surrey […]

Impasse prompts strike votes at BC colleges

COURTENAY – CUPE support workers at Camosun and North Island College are the latest to move towards strike action in BC’s post secondary colleges sector.  CUPE members at North Island College have given their bargaining committee an overwhelming strike mandate.  CUPE Local 3479 members voted 86% in favour of strike action yesterday. On Saturday, CUPE […]

Strong support for Health Care Workers

VANCOUVER—Hundreds rallied in support of health care workers last Wednesday afternoon and sent a strong message to Christy Clark and the BC Liberals: “health care workers deserve a fair deal too!” The rally was held for the 70,000 BC health workers who are still without a contract and have been without one for more than […]

District of Elkford municipal workers file for mediation

ELKFORD—Talks between the District of Elkford and CUPE Local 3004 have ground to a halt. CUPE National Representative, Keith Nielson, reports that after 11 meetings with the District it appears that an agreement cannot be reached at the table. “Compensation issues are all that remain, however it appears the assistance of a mediator is required […]