Month: May 2019

CUPE locals make positive gains for K-12 members at bargaining table

BURNABY — CUPE Locals 727 and 1285 have had positive experiences at the bargaining table with their respective school districts, SD #70 (Alberni) and SD #20 (Kootenay/Columbia)—something that was seldom the case in previous rounds since 2001.  According to CUPE 727 President Nancy Bell, the bargaining environment over the previous 20 years was so rough […]

CUPE 1936 welcomes workers at WISH

VANCOUVER — Workers at WISH Drop-in Centre Society for the well-being of women who are involved in Vancouver’s street-based sex trade, voted overwhelmingly on Monday to become members of CUPE 1936. “The organizing drive brought staff together into a cohesive group who are now in a position to affect real change at work,” said CUPE […]

CUPE 900 and City of Kamloops address affordability with new 5-year contract

KAMLOOPS—City of Kamloops workers, represented by CUPE 900, have voted 96.2 per cent in favour of a new 5-year collective agreement. The new contract includes wage adjustments of 2.5 per cent in the first year, 2.25 per cent in the second year and 2 per cent in each of the remaining years of the agreement. […]

CUPE BC donates $5,000 to Victoria’s Together Against Poverty Society

BURNABY – CUPE BC’s 56th annual convention was held in Victoria May 1-4, and featured a wide range of speakers and keynote presenters. On behalf of each speaker, CUPE BC made a donation to Victoria’s Together Against Poverty Society (TAPS), for a total donation of $5,000. “TAPS does amazing work on behalf of Victoria residents […]

CUPE signs agreement to make K-12 schools safe and inclusive for all students

VANCOUVER – The fact that all 60 public school districts have joined the BC SOGI Educator Network is another victory in the effort to make schools safe and inclusive for students of all sexual orientations and gender identities (SOGI), CUPE 15 President Warren Williams said today at an event marking the International Day Against Homophobia, […]

What’s in a number?

CUPE BC’s membership nears six figures To all members who attended convention in Victoria in early May, thank you for your support in electing me for another term as your president. It’s an honour to have your trust and confidence, and I pledge to do everything in my power to keep our union strong—and grow […]

A busy year for health care presidents

PACKED AGENDA—Members of CUPE’s Health Care Presidents Council meet at CUPE’s B.C. Regional Office on May 15. Standing, from left: Warren Williams (CUPE 15, HCPC chair), Lindsay Fumalle (CUPE 1978), CUPE Health Coordinator Chris Losito, Mia Nickel (CUPE 15) and Brandon Laviolette (CUPE 3495). Seated, from left:  Michael McKinley and Kaz Takeuchi (CUPE 1978) and […]

Celebrating Mother’s Day in the Kootenays

CUPE BC Trailer rolls into Creston for a community barbecue CRESTON—Members of the CUPE Kootenay District Council could not have asked for better weather or a better location for their Mother’s Day weekend celebration. The temperature climbed to the high twenties as local activists from across the Kootenay region set up tables, tents, information and […]

Library workers a critical force for progressive change: BCLA conference

SURREY—Library workers play an important role in preserving democracy and advocating progressive change in our communities. That was one key message arising from this year’s BC Library Conference (May 8-10), hosted by the BC Library Association with platinum sponsorship by CUPE BC. This year’s conference, themed “The Future by Design,” invited the library community to […]