CUPE 873-03 serves 72-hour strike notice

VANCOUVER – CUPE 873-03 served 72-hour strike notice to SN Transport yesterday after attempts to reach a first collective agreement failed. The union represents 115 workers who provide patient transfer services in the Lower Mainland. “From the moment this group of workers joined CUPE and we started bargaining their first agreement, the employer has resisted […]

CUPE BC donates $20,000 to North Shore Search & Rescue

NORTH VANCOUVER—A donation of $20,000 from CUPE BC will help the North Shore Search and Rescue Society (NSR) develop a new rope rescue catwalk training facility that will provide additional training capacity for the Society. CUPE BC President Mark Hancock and Secretary-Treasurer Paul Faoro presented the donation to NSR Team Leader Mike Danks and Society […]

CUPE BC provides support, offers workshop at Library conference

VANCOUVER— CUPE BC was very pleased to once again provide support to the 2015 B.C. Library Association Conference. This year’s conference theme was Creative Communities, focusing on the power of creativity in both the library and the world around us. The conference certainly lived up to its theme, from opening keynote Vancouver musician and performer […]

Getting ready for Metro bargaining

BURNABY – CUPE presidents from municipal and library locals across Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley met yesterday to discuss upcoming bargaining. With most agreements expiring at the end of 2015, bargaining preparations are underway across the region. Locals shared strategy, identified key issues and discussed next steps.    cope491

Powell River city workers ratify new agreement

POWELL RIVER – CUPE 798 members met last night to approve a new agreement, avoiding a labour dispute and service disruption for the community. “We have had a very tough round of bargaining and we are relieved that we have certainty and stability for the future. Members were very clear that the City’s aggressive concessions […]

CUPE 3570 calls on Board to review massive EA cuts

QUALICUM – CUPE 3570 President Lisa Paine is calling on School District #69 (Qualicum) to review budget cuts and the layoff of 16 Education Assistants (EAs). “What will the effect be for students next September?” asks Paine. Paine is concerned that EAs are required to take on more and more students. On any given day, […]

CUPE 3799 ratifies collective agreement with UNBC

PRINCE GEORGE – CUPE Local 3799 ratified a collective agreement with the University of Northern British Columbia today. “I want to commend UNBC for working collaboratively and respectfully with CUPE Local 3799,” said CUPE 3799 president Caroline Sewell. “This agreement was reached in large part because of a good working relationship between our local and […]

CUPE Local 606 calls on Board to amend budget

NANAIMO –CUPE 606 President Rob Zver today called on the School District 68 (Nanaimo-Ladysmith) Board to amend its budget and properly fund education support services. Despite having a surplus of $1.7 million for 2015, the Board recently passed a budget that calls for large cuts to the facilities department including layoffs for caretakers, carpenters, electricians, […]

Resisting homophobia, transphobia across borders

VANCOUVER-Community members including CUPE activists were treated to a unique perspective on the struggles of sexual minorities at this morning’s International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia breakfast. Danny Ramadan, a Vancouver-based writer and journalist, is a Syrian refugee who fled the war-torn country with his partner and came to Canada two years ago. At the […]

CUPE BC launches library worker safety survey

BURNABY—CUPE represents members who work in libraries across all sectors in B.C. In recognition of the increasing number of issues coming forward, the CUPE BC Library Committee has launched a survey to look at changing health and safety conditions for CUPE members in library workplaces across B.C. The survey will give CUPE important information about […]