K-12 Bulletin 55 – COVID-19 variants in K-12

As of February 21, the U.K. variant of COVID-19 has been identified in exposure events in five schools in Surrey and one school in Delta. Surrey schools affected are: AHP Matthew Elementary James Ardiel Elementary École Woodward Hill Elementary Surrey Traditional Elementary Tamanawis Secondary One school in Delta, Hellings Elementary, also has been identified with […]

Health care presidents approve action plan, begin preparation for bargaining

BURNABY—In its first virtual meeting of the year, CUPE’s Health Care Presidents Council (HCPC) today reviewed its action plan in light of pandemic conditions, set a date for a bargaining conference in advance of the next round of contract negotiations, and elected a new executive. Council members set targets for meeting goals and objectives, adapting […]

K-12 Bulletin #54 – Wear pink on February 24

On Wednesday, Feb. 24th, we wear pink to show that every student deserves to feel safe at school. The first Pink Shirt Day was a student-organized protest against homophobic bullying. In 2007, a Grade 9 student in Nova Scotia was targeted, threatened with violence and called a “homosexual” because he wore a pink shirt to […]

K-12 Bulletin #53 – Progress on standardization of EA credentialling

We’re making exciting progress on standardization of credentialling for education assistants across the province! Bulletin #39 on November 27 reported on some of the terms negotiated in the Provincial Framework Agreement to work toward these objectives: To standardize EA credentials and qualifications across the province, to prevent school districts from creating in-house EA qualification programs […]

CUPE 401 member supports community in times of emergency

PORT HARDY—When the District of Port Hardy decided to incorporate Emergency Support Services (ESS) into Susan Bjarnason’s day-to-day job, they knew someone would always be available in the event of an emergency. A 23-year district employee working as a finance clerk, Bjarnason has been the ESS director since April. “The problem with relying on volunteers […]

K-12 Bulletin #52 – Revised K-12 COVID-19 guidelines released

The Ministry of Education, in a collaborative process with provincial health officials, WorkSafeBC, CUPE and B.C.’s education partners and rightsholders, announced significant updates to the K-12 Health and Safety Guidelines earlier today. CUPE sits on the Steering Committee where we advocate for safer schools and increased guidance to the K-12 sector. As many of these […]

CUPE BC President Paul Faoro announces he will not seek re-election at May convention

BURNABY-CUPE BC President Paul Faoro sent the following message to CUPE Local Presidents across B.C. after announcing to the union’s Executive Board this morning that he will not seek re-election to a fourth term as president. He will continue to serve as president until CUPE BC’s online 2021 Convention, May 19-21, when delegates will elect […]

Celebrate Black History Month

Black History Month recognizes the important contribution of Black Canadians, the diversity of the Black community, and its importance to our history. Also known as African Heritage Month, it is a time to celebrate Black culture and to honour Black ancestors and leaders. “With what is going on in the world right now, it is […]