CUPE BC’s 53rd annual convention wraps in Victoria
VICTORIA—Delegates to CUPE BC’s 53rd annual convention in Victoria, which concluded today after three days of speeches and debate, acclaimed Paul Faoro to the position of president and Trevor Davies to the position of secretary-treasurer. Alison Pringle was elected to the position of general vice president, and Laurie Whyte was elected to the position of […]
Unions: a poverty reduction strategy
VICTORIA – By bargaining for improved wages and working conditions—and building stronger, more sustainable communities where they live and work—CUPE members are playing a key role in the fight against inequality, BC Federation of Labour President Irene Lanzinger told delegates to CUPE BC’s 53rd annual convention on Saturday. Lanzinger, bringing greetings on behalf of the […]
Expansion of community paramedicine a win for health care: CUPE 873
RICHMOND—The announcement this week that 73 rural and remote B.C. communities have been targeted for the provincial community paramedicine program is a significant development that will improve access to primary health-care services, say the Ambulance Paramedics of BC (CUPE 873). Community paramedicine, a program offering residents enhanced health services from ambulance paramedics, builds on the […]
CUPE BC Library Committee launches Health and Safety Report at Convention
VICTORIA – The CUPE BC Library Committee report to Convention highlighted various projects the committee has been involved in over the past year, and launched the Library Health and Safety Report. A survey was launched at last convention for public, post-secondary and K-12 library workers. The in-depth report includes survey responses from over 500 individuals […]
No challenge too great for CUPE: Fleury, Davies
VICTORIA – Despite ongoing economic and political pressures, CUPE has been resilient and continues to thrive in B.C. and across Canada, the Union’s national and B.C. secretary-treasurers told delegates on Friday. “There are many issues facing CUPE members today—including bargaining attacks, a declining union density rate and funding freezes,” said CUPE National Secretary-Treasurer Charles Fleury. […]
Protecting Canadians abroad must become a priority—Fahmy
VICTORIA – Canadians abroad need better protection from human rights violations, journalist and press freedom advocate Mohamed Fahmy told delegates on Thursday. Fahmy, this year’s international solidarity guest speaker, was working in Egypt in 2013 when he was arrested on bogus terrorism charges. He spent 438 days in prison sharing cell space with ISIS and […]
Hancock: ‘Let’s go and change the world!’
VICTORIA – In his first Convention address since serving as BC Division leader, CUPE National President Mark Hancock called on delegates to build on CUPE’s great activist tradition by leading the fight for a stronger and more equitable Canada. Hancock thanked the many members, activists and staff who have inspired, mentored and supported him over […]
Unanimous Support for Public Sewage Treatment in the CRD
VICTORIA – More than 600 delegates attending CUPE BC’s 53rd annual convention in Victoria voted unanimously today for an emergency resolution that supports publicly owned and operated sewage treatment in the Capital Regional District (CRD) and rejects a privatized wastewater system. “Implementing a solution for wastewater treatment will be the largest infrastructure project that the […]
Responsible investment and your pension
VICTORIA – Public sector pension plans are increasingly embracing a “responsible investment” approach that takes environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into account, delegates at Wednesday’s pension forum learned. The panel, moderated by CUPE BC Pensions Committee chair Frank Lee, was comprised of Peter Chapman, chair of the Shareholder Association for Research and Education (SHARE); […]
Poll shows Vancouverites blame provincial government for looming cuts and school closures
VANCOUVER – A new poll conducted by Insights West and commissioned by the local unions that represent Vancouver school workers has found that a significant majority of Vancouverites are opposed to school closures and cuts to educational programs. A large majority also place the blame squarely on the provincial BC Liberal government for underfunding public […]
