K-12 Bulletin 60 – Making progress on standardized EA credentials

CUPE is making exciting progress on standardizing EA credentials across the province. As negotiated in the Provincial Framework Agreement (PFA), CUPE will continue to work toward standardization of education assistant credentials and qualifications to prevent school districts from creating in-house EA qualification programs as short as two weeks in length. Benefits of standardization Credential standardization […]

CUPE 718 welcomes City of Richmond fitness professionals

RICHMOND—CUPE 718 has welcomed 56 new members to the Local after a Labour Relations Board certification vote confirmed on March 23. The new members are fitness professionals who work for the Richmond Fitness and Wellness Association. The new CUPE members, who are existing employees at the Minoru Centre for Active Living and the Watermania fitness […]

K-12 Bulletin 59 – New pandemic restrictions announced

As we welcome our members in public education back from spring break, we are unfortunately faced with deeply concerning trends in COVID-19 cases. According to Health Minister Adrian Dix, “rising case levels, variants of concern, increased transmission, and an increase in more severe cases are huge concerns.” The Provincial Health Officer (PHO) amended several orders […]

Indigenous teachings: benefitting students and staff across the school district

Through cultural learning, CUPE 389 member Dallas Guss is making a difference in K-12 NORTH VANCOUVER—When CUPE 389 member Dallas Guss reports for work at School District 44, he’s bringing with him cultural teachings that are thousands of years old. Guss, a member of the Squamish Nation, works as an educational assistant, Indigenous support worker, […]

CUPE 1004 members joining BC immunization efforts

VANCOUVER – Around 200 CUPE 1004 members, workers at the Pacific National Exhibition, will be joining the B.C. government’s immunization efforts. In a partnership announced Wednesday by B.C. Premier John Horgan, CUPE 1004 members laid off due to pandemic-related PNE closures will have the opportunity to work at Vancouver-area vaccination clinics. “We are very proud […]

Connecting with our members never stops

As you read this issue of Public Employee, we’re well into the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic. While vaccines allow us to see light at the end of the tunnel, we’re still some distance from returning to “normal.”

Surrey K-12 school-based staff to begin receiving vaccines today

SURREY—CUPE 728 members who are K-12 school-based support staff in Surrey will begin receiving vaccines today. “This pandemic has been particularly stressful for K-12 workers throughout the system, and I thank all of them for the incredible work they’re doing every day to keep our schools open and safe,” says CUPE BC President Paul Faoro. […]

CUPE 7000 members ratify new contract with Southern Railway

BURNABY—Members of CUPE 7000 have signed off on a new, six-year collective agreement with Southern Railway that includes annual wage increases, improvements to benefits and work-life balance issues, and other language improvements. “We are extremely pleased to have a new deal that addresses so many of our members’ concerns,” said CUPE 7000 President Tony Rebelo. […]