Category Archives: cupe

Tell North Shore Winter Club managers and board that it’s time to end the lockout

Posted on by

http://cupe.ca/action/nswc-lockout

https://i0.wp.com/cupe.bc.ca/sites/default/files/imagecache/original-image/nswc.jpg

CUPE 389 members at the North Shore Winter Club (NSWC) in North Vancouver have been locked out by their employer since May 3, after only four days of negotiations. CUPE employees at the NSWC are dedicated professionals who ensure the health and safety of the family recreation centre.

The NSWC is attempting to force CUPE employees into accepting a subpar agreement which includes zero wage increase, proposed cuts to sick time and vacation time as well as changes to language which could result in reductions to CUPE employee’s work hours.

Since initiating the lockout, NSWC managers and the board of directors have been found guilty of hiring scabs to perform CUPE employees’ work. They have also violated provincial safe working practices and told long-term employees they “don’t care” about them.

It’s time to end this senseless lockout so CUPE employees can return to work and negotiate a fair and reasonable collective agreement. Please take a moment and send an email to NSWC managers and the board of directors telling them to end the lockout now. 

Go to: http://cupe.ca/action/nswc-lockout

Solidarity served at BBQ rally hosted by CUPE leaders

Posted on by

Aug 14, 2013    http://cupe.ca

The Bonfield Township Council meeting was cancelled by the mayor and the forecasted rain never came, but CUPE leaders led by Charles Fleury, CUPE national secretary-treasurer, Candace Rennick, CUPE Ontario secretary-treasurer and Henri Giroux, president of North Bay CUPE District Council along with CUPE members and Bonfield residents, did come out on Tuesday afternoon to show support for the striking CUPE 4616-2 members at a solidarity BBQ.

“You have the support of over 600,000 CUPE members across Canada,” said Charles Fleury, CUPE National Secretary-Treasurer, bringing greetings and support for the 16 municipal workers on strike in Bonfield. “CUPE supports your fight against concessions and we are with you every step of the way.”

Echoing brother Fleury’s remarks, Candace Rennick, CUPE Ontario secretary treasurer said: “We will stand by you and provide you with all the resources you need to win this fight.” Henri Giroux, who helped organize the event, also thanked the community for their continued support for the striking workers.

More than 150 people, from Bonfield residents to CUPE members from across the province, to local union members, brought solidarity messages and let the strikers know that they have the full support of their Ontario brothers and sisters.

Garth Pigeau, President of CUPE 4616-2 was encouraged by the support shown to his striking members and said, “Solidarity, this is what the union is all about.”

The workers have been on strike since August 1, 2013.

CUPE will resume K-12 bargaining in August

Posted on by

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

Decert Campaign at Trail FAIR Society Successful

Posted on by

By Andrew Phillip Chernoff, WKLC Member-At-Large: Trail

P1010039a  

Patsy Harmston, President BCGEU Local 309

TRAIL-It was with “a heavy heart” that Patsy Harmston, President of BCGEU Local 309, announced the result of a decertification vote of Trail FAIR and the Trail Transition House on July 31, 2013, bringing an end to those areas as BCGEU Local 309 worksites.

The vote was 21 to 18 in favour of the decertification, and showed, according to Harmston, “a divided and toxic workplace”. Voting began on June 18 and ended on July 11.

Harmston thanked the West Kootenay Labour Council, United Steelworkers Locals 480 and 9705 for “great support in holding a leafleting and barbequing  in Trail” in support of the pro union supporters.

United Steelworkers Locals 480 and 9705, along with CUPE, BCGEU Locals, the West Kootenay Labour Council and the public came out to support the members of BCGEU Local 309 in Trail with a barbeque on July 2 with speakers urging them to deal with their issues fairly, professionally and stay unionized.

To those that supported them during the decertification process, “I want to pass on to all of you a great thank you for your support. It felt really good to have you stand with us and we just can’t thank you enough.”, Harmston said on behalf of the pro union supporters at Trail FAIR and Trail Transition House.

CUPE 2262 members save a life

Posted on by

   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.