Ambulance paramedics, dispatchers ratify new collective agreement

VANCOUVER—B.C.’s 4,500 ambulance paramedics and emergency medical dispatchers have voted to ratify a new three-year collective agreement, signing off on a tentative agreement reached on July 19 between the Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC) and the Ambulance Paramedics & Ambulance Dispatchers Bargaining Association of BC (APADBA). The new agreement is the first stand-alone, collectively […]

UVic sessional lecturers reach tentative agreement

VICTORIA— The union representing sessional lecturers at the University of Victoria (UVic) has reached a tentative agreement that addresses low wages and job security. CUPE 4163 Component 3 reached the agreement after two days of mediation, and months of protracted talks. “It was a frustrating round of bargaining, but we’re pleased that the mediator was […]

K-12 support workers in Okanagan-Skaha reach tentative agreement

PENTICTON — CUPE 523, K-12 support workers at School District 67 in Okanagan-Skaha reached a tentative agreement on Sept. 23, following five bargaining sessions that began June 20. CUPE Local 523 Acting President Tammie Koroluk said that this round of bargaining was a new experience for the bargaining committee, who is bargaining separately with the three districts […]

Coldstream municipal workers vote 96 per cent in favour of striking

VERNON – Members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 626 working for the District of Coldstream have voted 96 per cent in favour of taking job action in a strike vote held late last week. “This is not an action we take lightly,” said CUPE 626 President Bryce de Dood. “We’ve been […]

UNBC and TAs reach first collective agreement after “speedy” negotiation

PRINCE GEORGE – The first collective agreement for CUPE 2278 teaching assistants at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) has now been ratified by both parties, said the union. Getting to the table was a long process that began last year but once there, a deal was reached after just four days of bargaining. […]

City of Vancouver outside workers open municipal bargaining with eyes on affordability

Union concerned their members can no longer afford to live in the communities they serve VANCOUVER—This week the City of Vancouver and Local 1004 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), representing outside workers at the City and employees of the Vancouver Parks Board, opened collective bargaining in the first of several such negotiations […]

CUPE 873-02, E-Comm bargaining talks go to mediation

RICHMOND—The BC Labour Relations Board has appointed mediator Trevor Sones to mediate contract talks between E-Comm Emergency Communications for British Columbia and CUPE Local 873-02 (Emergency Dispatchers of BC), which represents more than 500 emergency dispatchers, call takers and support staff in the province. The last three-year agreement expired on December 31, 2018. The parties […]

CUPE 703 K-12 support workers ratify collective agreement

MAPLE RIDGE— After arduous bargaining sessions and mediation, CUPE 703, K-12 support workers at School District 42 in Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows reached a tentative agreement on September 6. Members ratified the collective agreement the next day with a large majority of members in favour. The local began bargaining on December 3, 2018 and after 17 […]

CUPE K-12 local applies for mediation in Saanich schools dispute

SAANICH – CUPE 441 applied for mediation Friday, September 13 on behalf of K-12 members who work in Saanich School District 63. CUPE 441 President Dean Coates said that the bargaining committee will be working hard to reach a settlement. “Our members are dedicated and care deeply about the students they support, but need to […]