/
/
/
/
/
CUPE BC’s ‘One Big Committee Meeting’ goes virtual

CUPE BC’s ‘One Big Committee Meeting’ goes virtual

Committee membership often the beginning of lifetime activism–Ranalletta

BURNABY—CUPE BC’s biennial “One Big Committee Meeting,” which brings together all the members of the union’s 21 committees for the first meeting of their two-year term, started yesterday online rather than in person due to COVID-19 restrictions. Nearly 200 committee members began two days of collective orientation, with each committee meeting separately in online breakout groups.

CUPE BC President Karen Ranalletta opened the event by reflecting on her own experience as a Pension committee member early in her working life, and said that serving on a committee is often the beginning of union activism.

“It’s not just about the technical information or the content of what you do on committees, though that’s important,” said Ranalletta. “But almost as important as all that for me was seeing how union members can work together to make our communities better and stronger.

“On the pension committee, I learned a lot about pensions and I was so inspired by everyone else around the table and their passion for pensions. That helped immensely in my work as a local president and was instrumental in my decision to run for the UBC Staff Pension Plan Board of Directors, a position I held for 4 years.

“I know that my experience with committees isn’t unique,” said Ranalletta. “So many great CUPE activists over the years have cut their teeth at the committee level and many of them have gone to on to run for positions in our union, and in elections at every level of government.  Not to set expectations too high, but my friend and former CUPE BC committee member Lisa Beare is now a B.C. Cabinet Minister!”

The event concludes today (Wednesday, October 20, 2021). Committees will continue to meet virtually for the rest of 2021, with a return to in-person meetings tentatively scheduled for 2022.

Share this

Latest News

Budget 2024 tackles economic uncertainty with investments in public services and affordability – CUPE BC

Budget 2024 tackles economic uncertainty with investments in public services and affordability – CUPE BC

February 22, 2024
VICTORIA— Budget 2024 continues the BC NDP’s record of making meaningful investments in the public services that matter to people and communities, and creating and expanding programs that make life…
VICTORIA— Budget 2024 continues the BC NDP’s record of making meaningful investments in the public services that matter to people and communities, and creating and expanding programs that make life...

District of Chetwynd workers ratify new contract

District of Chetwynd workers ratify new contract

February 15, 2024
CHETWYND – After a collaborative round of negotiations CUPE 3052 members, municipal workers in the District of Chetwynd, have overwhelmingly ratified a new four-year contract. The new agreement includes wage…
CHETWYND – After a collaborative round of negotiations CUPE 3052 members, municipal workers in the District of Chetwynd, have overwhelmingly ratified a new four-year contract. The new agreement includes wage...

CUPE 1978 ratifies new agreement with Greater Victoria Housing Society

CUPE 1978 ratifies new agreement with Greater Victoria Housing Society

February 13, 2024
VICTORIA – CUPE 1978 members at the Greater Victoria Housing Society have ratified a new five-year agreement that provides improved working conditions for CUPE members, as well as enhanced supportive housing…
VICTORIA – CUPE 1978 members at the Greater Victoria Housing Society have ratified a new five-year agreement that provides improved working conditions for CUPE members, as well as enhanced supportive housing...