VICTORIA— In the CUPE regional director’s annual report to convention, Martina Boyd highlighted the challenges and gains made in the region over the past year. While bargaining has been tough, Boyd says B.C. locals have held fast at the table.
“Despite employers talking about restraint and austerity, we made real gains for CUPE members,” said Boyd. “Despite employers throwing everything they could at our bargaining committees, they fought off every single concession demand. not even one made it off the table.”
Boyd credited the year’s success at bargaining tables to local leaders and activists working closely with national staff to engage members in fighting for their priorities. So, when there was trouble at the table, Boyd said locals were ready to mobilize.
“Achieving fairness did not always go smoothly. Over the past year, members in 3 B.C. locals were forced to take action to get the fair deals they deserve,” said Boyd, recounting the strikes of CUPE 4094, Air Canada flight attendants, CUPE 2269, workers for the District of Squamish, and CUPE 1699, workers for the Regional District of Fraser–Fort George.
“They bargained forward, not backward, resisting employer attempts to chip away at their hard-fought rights, “said Boyd. “They stood strong together, and they won. The members of these locals reinforce our clear message across B.C.: CUPE members do not back down.”
In provincial public sector bargaining, Boyd said CUPE members stood firm against disappointing offers.
“Our CUPE bargaining committees were not demoralized, they did not shrink from the challenge, and they did not hesitate to stand up to employers and our provincial government,” said Boyd. “No CUPE members were left behind, as we refused to take less than the full monetary package offered at other provincial tables.”
Boyd said these successes have helped spur organizing drives across the province, leading to CUPE establishing a new organizer position for northern B.C. and the Yukon. She said this will allow more workers then ever to access a union in the region. “
By building on our strengths, leveraging the Strong Communities Working Group, and maintaining the dynamic partnership between CUPE BC and national staff, this region will continue to fight hard for the gains our members and their families need, and for the public services our communities depend on every day,” said Boyd.
