Week of Action highlights voices for childcare

VANCOUVER—The Week of Action on Childcare has raised awareness about the need for fully-funded early care and learning programs in B.C. and across Canada. Advocates have been quoted in media reports this week saying that a provincially-sponsored program would allow more parents to work and contribute to the economy, while the Rethink Child Care campaign […]

CUPE BC donates $25,000 to Nepal earthquake relief efforts

BURNABY—British Columbia’s largest union, CUPE BC, has donated $25,000 to Oxfam Canada’s relief efforts in Nepal following the second of two deadly earthquakes that have ravaged the impoverished country. “Delegates to our recent convention unanimously passed an emergency resolution to make this donation,” said CUPE BC President Mark Hancock. “It’s even more important that we […]

CUPE takes on zero spending, tax plan in Powell River

POWELL RIVER – On the eve of entering into mediation with the City of Powell River, CUPE 798 President Danielle Craigen cautioned Mayor and Council against continuing the previous council’s proposal for zero spending and tax increases to 2019. “It always sounds like a good idea to tell people their taxes won’t be going up. […]

Fallen paramedics honoured with memorial at B.C. legislature

VICTORIA—Ambulance paramedics put their lives at risk every day and cannot be thanked enough for the critical role they play in emergency health services. That message was loud and clear during a solemn dedication ceremony, held in the provincial capital on Wednesday (May 6), to memorialize the ten paramedics who have died on the job […]

K-12 Presidents’ Council to gov’t: Consult with us first!

VANCOUVER —The BC Liberal government needs to start consulting with the unionized workers who provide important services for the K-12 sector before setting the policy that directly affects it, says CUPE’s K-12 Presidents’ Council. That was the unanimous conclusion at the Council’s meeting on Tuesday (April 28), where members worked through a full agenda: updates […]

Northwest Community College important to the North

TERRACE – CUPE 2409 says that the comprehensive range of accredited first- and second-year university level Arts and Science courses available at Northwest Community College (NWCC) are important for residents and northern communities. “Offering these courses not only allows students who live in the northwest to live at home while they are gaining a university […]

Victoria brings new Parking Ambassadors in house

VICTORIA–The City of Victoria and CUPE Local 50 have announced that starting January 1, new Parking Ambassadors will be moved to an in-house model. The in-house model is intended to give the City greater ability to offer a parking experience consistent with customer service objectives and stakeholder needs, while still regulating parking to ensure there […]

Take Action for Child Care!

BURNABY—This coming weekend, advocates, families and other child care supporters throughout B.C. will be joining “stroller brigades”  in their communities to ensure that the issue of quality child care is visible across Canada and to call on the government to support a $10-a-Day Child Care Plan for B.C. Child care is good for the economy, […]

New Eastside sewage treatment consultations in the CRD

VICTORIA – Following a successful kickoff event held on April 29 at the Royal BC Museum, the Eastside Select Committee has announced three additional community dialogues. CUPE members and others who support publicly owned and operated sewage treatment have a number of options to get involved and be part of discussions. May 09, 11am-1pm Saanich, […]

CUPE 7000 members ratify agreement with Southern Railway

BURNABY—CUPE 7000, representing 126 employees of Southern Railway (SRY), this afternoon ratified a tentative agreement reached late last week with the U.S.-owned company. They will begin returning to work tomorrow. Key elements of the seven-year agreement, retroactive to April 1, 2014, include preservation of post-retiree benefits, improvements to dental benefits, improvements to training and working […]