Category Archives: cupe bc

CUPE’s education workers launch new ad campaign to build support

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By Amy Judd Global News   http://globalnews.ca   August 25, 2013

CUPE’s education workers are reaching out to the public with a new ad campaign focused on building support for the members who voted to strike in the fall after talks broke off.

CUPE represents more than 27,000 education workers in the K-12 system, including education assistants, clerical staff, trades, custodians, and bus drivers.

Their collective agreements expired more than a year ago, and while settlement talks took place in April, talks derailed shortly after.

The ad campaign will officially launch on Monday and is focused on standing up for clean, safe, and inclusive schools.

“We’ve made every effort to bargain a fair and reasonable settlement with the employers, but their lack of preparation is threatening to disrupt classes this fall,” said Mark Hancock, CUPE-BC President.

It has been more than four years since workers represented by CUPE have received a wage increase.

“If the government doesn’t show a commitment to bargaining, our members will take full-scale job action,” said Colin Pawson, Chair of the BC K-12 Presidents’ Council. “They’re frustrated that we’ve had three false starts to negotiating, and the clock is ticking.”

© Shaw Media, 2013

Government bargaining delays threaten to disrupt classes in the fall

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From: http://cupe.bc.ca    August 13, 2013

BURNABY—Despite assurances that the provincial government was prepared to bargain with CUPE education workers in August, negotiations have broken off indefinitely.

“They called us back to the table. We were ready, they were not. As a result, there is a danger that classes will be disrupted this fall,” said Colin Pawson, Chair of the CUPE BC K-12 Presidents’ Council. “Our committee set aside nearly two weeks to bargain, and we came to the table with ideas for cost savings. The only thing missing was a committed bargaining agent on the employer’s side.”

CUPE education workers’ collective agreements throughout the province expired over a year ago. Settlement talks took place in April 2013 but were derailed when it became clear that government had not given the BC Public School Employers’ Association (BCPSEA) a mandate to reach a settlement. BCPSEA is now directly controlled by government, but is still not in a position to bargain.

“If the government doesn’t show a commitment to bargaining, our members will take full scale job action,” said Pawson. “They’re frustrated that we’ve had three false starts to negotiating, and the clock is ticking.”

Once at the table, CUPE representatives emphasize that a fully-funded wage increase is the solution to ending the bargaining impasse.

It has been more than four years since the education assistants, clerical staff, trades, custodians, bus drivers and other workers represented by CUPE have received a wage increase. Virtually all of the 57 CUPE locals representing education workers have had positive strike votes.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees represents more than 27,000 education BC workers in the K-12 system.

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Aug 13 Government bargaining delays threaten to disrupt classes in the fall.pdf
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CUPE will resume K-12 bargaining in August

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http://cupe.bc.ca   

August 1, 2013

VANCOUVER—CUPE is eager to get back to the bargaining table to reach a fair and reasonable settlement. Tentative dates have been scheduled for the second week in August and CUPE representatives emphasize that a fully-funded wage increase is the solution to ending the bargaining impasse.

“CUPE education workers keep BC schools clean, safe, and inclusive,” said Colin Pawson, Chair of the CUPE BC K-12 Presidents’ Council. “The government needs to get back to the bargaining table with funded offers in order to avert more job action in the fall.”

Talks broke off earlier this spring when it was clear that the government had not given the BC Public School Employers’ Association (BCPSEA) any mandate to reach a settlement.

In a news release on Wednesday, July 31 the government announced that it would be replacing BCPSEA’s board with Michael Marchbank of the Health Employers’ Association of BC. CUPE expects that BCPSEA will now have a mandate to conclude bargaining with a fair provincial settlement.

It has been more than four years since the education assistants, clerical staff, trades, custodians, bus drivers and other workers represented by CUPE have received a wage increase. Virtually all of the 57 CUPE locals representing education workers have achieved a strike mandate.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees represents more than 27,000 education BC workers in the K-12 system.

– See more at: http://cupe.bc.ca/news/3130#sthash.AdR8ZQZI.dpuf

CUPE 2262 members save a life

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   http://cupe.ca

In late May, the quick response of CUPE members working at the Castlegar and District Community Complex saved a man’s life.

According to reports from the Castlegar Source, Castlegar resident Greg Gritchin, was taking part in a National Lifeguard Service Course. The course was proceeding normally when staff and instructors suddenly noticed that Gritchin was lying face down in the pool. Without hesitation, the team leapt into action, pulling Gritchin from the water. CUPE members Vanessa Bloodoff, Josh Davis and Troy Bingham put their emergency training to good use.

They administered CPR and used the AED (Automated External Defibrillator) to start resuscitation. First responders were called, and when they got there, Gritchin was regaining consciousness. The paramedics acknowledged that the quick action of the Community Complex staff made all the difference in the first critical minutes. It turns out Gritchin had a sudden cardiac arrest from a blocked artery – a condition he didn’t even know he had. He has made a full recovery, and is very grateful to pool staff for their fast response.

“Lifeguards and other workers at public recreation facilities are well trained and very qualified to deal with emergency situations just like this,” said Mark Hancock, president of CUPE BC. “On behalf of all 85,000 CUPE members across B.C., I want to extend congratulations to all the staff members in Castlegar for helping save Mr. Gritchin’s life. It’s situations like this—and hundreds of others that aren’t quite as dramatic—that show the importance of strong public services in our communities.”

“Keeping municipal recreational services public means workers have access to training funds through their collective agreements. Privatized facilities don’t have the same emphasis. We are very proud of these heroes.”

Along with the course instructors, CUPE members Vanessa Bloodoff, Josh Davis, Troy Bingham have been commended for their actions.

CUPE 2262 represents 55 civic workers in Castlegar’s aquatic centre, arenas, and landfill.