Join us for a celebration of International Workers’ Day (May Day) at the
Maritime Labour Centre!
The event will feature an information & action far, speakers, live music, food, workshops, and more!
May 1, 2024 from 6:00pm to 10:00pm
Maritime Labour Centre
1880 Triumph St, Vancouver, BC
Further details + event poster will be shared shortly, and posted to https://vdlc.ca/events/may- day/
On April 28 each year we come together to remember those who were killed on the job, and to recommit to working to ensure that every worker goes home safe at the end of every shift.
Sunday April 28, 2024
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Jack Poole Plaza
1055 Canada Place
Vancouver, BC
We are pleased to be co-sponsoring a Day of Mourning ceremony once again this year along with the BC Federation of Labour, the Business Council of BC, and WCB (WorkSafeBC).
We will hear from speakers representing the co-host organizations, Canadian Labour Congress President Bea Bruske, as well as from Genevieve Cragg, whose son Charlie Cragg was one of the workers who was tragically killed when the Inginika tugboat sank in February 2021.
The event will begin at 10:30am.
Livestream available at https://www.dayofmourning.bc.ca/
Event page: https://vdlc.ca/events/day-of-mourning-2/
Stephen von Sychowski
President, VDLC
Topic: Valeria Mancilla, CUPE Local1936 (she/her/elle)’s Zoom Meeting
Time: Apr 10, 2024 06:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
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Meeting ID: 692 351 5093
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Valeria Mancilla (She/Her/Hers/Elle)
Grievance Officer
Canadian Union of Public Employees
Local 1936
800 McBride Boulevard, New Westminster,BC.
Community Social Services- Greater Vancouver.
Office: 6045228445
Fax: 6047770297
Cell:7788618133
The new wage grids effective the first full pay period after April 1, 2024, for employees under the Community Social Services (CSS) – Community Living Services, General Services, and Indigenous Services collective agreements are now available.
The April 1, 2024 wage grids reflect application of the negotiated 2% general wage increase (GWI) plus a full additional 1% cost of living adjustment (COLA). The grids also reflect the application of health sector comparability adjustments, retroactive to the first pay period after April 1, 2023.
The joint Community Social Services Bargaining Association / Community Social Services Employers’ Association summary of the changes and the 2023 and 2024 wage grids are attached.
The increases include the following three bargained increases:
1. GWI of 2% Plus Full Additional 1% COLA
The 2024 GWI negotiated throughout the broader public sector, including for CSS, provided a guaranteed 2% plus up to an additional 1% COLA. Whether there would be a COLA and to what degree depended on the 12-month average consumer price index (CPI) percent change for BC for the period ending in February. The BC CPI annualized average percent change from March 2023 through February 2024 was 3.4%. As this exceeded the guaranteed 2% GWI, the full additional 1% COLA has been applied to the grids, for a total general increase of 3%.
2. Health Facilities Comparability
CSSBA and CSSEA agreed in the last round of bargaining to a $4.1 million ongoing fund to maintain wage comparability with Health Facilities (FBA). As part of their wage comparability process, the FBA and health employers agreed on 25¢ per hour wage increases for the lowest wage-rated jobs retroactive to April 1, 2023, and 22¢ per hour increases for the next lowest wage-rated jobs effective April 1, 2024.
With the available $4.1 million, CSSBA and CSSEA can match the additional 25¢ per hour wage increases in Health Facilities, retroactive to April 1, 2023, for CSS employees in Grid 9 and below. The available funding means CSSBA and CSSEA can also match 63.6% of the 22¢ per hour additional increases given to some Health Facilities jobs—meaning CSS employees in Grid 10 will see an additional 14¢ per hour wage increase. Unlike the Health Facilities increase for this group of employees, which is not retroactive, CSS employees will get this bump retroactively to April 1, 2023. These increases are reflected in the grids.
We recognize that an 8¢ per hour gap will remain between CSS Grid 10 jobs and comparable jobs in Health Facilities. This must be addressed in the next round of bargaining as we continue to fight for equal pay for work of equal value compared with the health sector.
3. Nurses Comparability
CSSBA and CSSEA also agreed to maintain CSS wage comparability with the Nurses (NBA). Effective retroactively to April 1, 2023, CSS LPNs and RNs will see positive adjustments to any wage step that was behind its NBA comparator. The result is all CSS nurses’ rates matching those of the equivalent steps in the NBA. These increases are reflected on the grids. Note that CSS RN Step 1 rates were not adjusted as they were not behind the equivalent NBA rates.
The following three matters remain in discussion with CSSEA and we’ll be providing an update on our progress on each of them as we move forward:
1. Health Science Professionals Comparability
CSSBA and CSSEA also agreed in the last round on wage adjustments to achieve parity for CSS paraprofessionals with Health Science Professionals (HSPBA). The parties have unfortunately been unable to reach agreement but discussions continue and CSSBA is prepared to refer the matter to arbitration in the absence of a solution that reaches parity with HSPBA. In the meantime, the 2024 GWI applies to the paraprofessional grid. We will provide further updates on this issue as they become available.
2. Community Health Comparability for Supervisory Jobs
While affecting only a very small number of CSS employees in supervisory roles, there are some supervisory rates in CSS that remain under those found in Community Health (CBA). This only affected supervisory positions in CSS Grids 1, 2, 7, and 8. Other CSS layered-over rates are not affected as they are not behind the equivalent CBA rates.
3. Public Service Comparability for Indigenous Services
The Community Social Services Bargaining Association (CSSBA) and the Community Social Services Employers’ Association (CSSEA) agreed in the last round to adjust wage rates for Indigenous Services (IS) jobs where they paid less than like jobs under the Main Public Service Agreement and its Public Service Job Evaluation Plan. The work involved to achieve this is well underway but not yet complete.
The CSSBA member unions BCGEU and CUPE are consulting with their affected members to ensure that we provide a system that achieves parity with comparable work in the Public Service but also serves the unique needs and circumstances of Indigenous Services members.
Overall, we are proud of the general wage increases and health sector comparability adjustments achieved in the last round of bargaining, the final instalments of which are in most cases detailed in this bulletin. Work remains to be done before the next round, via the arbitration process, on Health Science Professionals comparability, and in the next round to fully close the gap with Health Facilities. We look forward to continuing the fight for equitable wages with and for you.
DRAFT v4 Communication re April 1, 2023 and April 1, 2024 Wage Grids and…[41]
DRAFT v4 CSSBA & CSSEA Agreement re April 1, 2023 and April 1, 2024 Wage…
Hi there,
You are invited to a Zoom meeting.
When: Mar 20, 2024 06:30 PM Vancouver
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYpdu-sqjkuE9b8GHWTv00Uu8cIA7gh6Hz-
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
These CUPE members deliver support to some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. They care for children and elders, support people who are struggling with mental health and substance abuse, strengthen families, and make our services more culturally responsive. #communitysocialservicesmonth
Please read on for general CUPE BC announcements and to learn more about upcoming events, learning resources, and community engagement opportunities. If this email was forwarded to you and you wish to be added to our mailing list, please send an email request to info@cupe.bc.ca.
CORRECTION | Bereaved Local 15 Member Memorial Fundraiser – The last edition of CUPE BC General Announcements & Updates incorrectly identified Ron Stuber, tragically and recently passed away, as a Local 15 member. His widow Emma Sommers is the Local 15 member, and the fundraiser is still ongoing to support her and her son in the wake of this loss. We apologize for the error and send condolences
CHSF | Great Big Crunch Communications Guide 2024 – Branding, graphics, social media links and hashtags: everything is included in the freshly published communications guide for the Great Big Crunch campaign by the Coalition for Healthy School Food, available to download here. Also see the school food program implementation FAQ here, or see how you can get involved.
VDLC Education | Mar-Apr – The Vancouver & District Labour Council will be hosting the following courses in person at the Maritime Labour Centre this spring. Click on the course link to register and for more information.
Privacy Rights in the Workplace: Apr 3, 2024 | 9:30am – 4:00pm (Pacific)
*New* Promotion & Selection Grievances: Apr 3, 2024 | 9:30am – 4:00pm (Pacific)
BCLA | Library Conference | Apr 24-25- This year’s BC Library Association Conference, on the theme of Commitment – Courage – Community, takes place at the Pinnacle Harbourfront Vancouver, with CUPE BC joining the exhibitor list. See schedule here for session information, registration information here, and the speaker list.
Cumberland Museum | Miners Memorial 2024 | Jun 14-16 – Save the date for the 2024 Miners Memorial, a celebration of labour history in western Canada, honouring the diverse struggles and triumphs of those who have paved the way for better working conditions, safety standards, and rights for workers and their families, hosted by the Cumberland Museum & Archives. Those wishing to support can purchase locally made bouquets. Read more about the history of the event here, and stay tuned for updates in the following weeks.
CCPA | The Monitor: Public Sector Pay and Income Inequality – The Monitor magazine from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives has released a lengthy report analyzing hourly pay in 2023, with a view to understanding differences between public and private pay practices. Analysis identified a gender pay gap even when adjusting numbers for mitigating factors. Download here in full.
Should you have any questions regarding this update, please email info@cupe.bc.ca for additional information.
Earlier this year, Mayor Ken Sim and his ABC majority voted in a closed-door meeting to retract Vancouver’s commitment to paying a living wage.
Since then, the affordability crisis facing Vancouver residents has only intensified. The cost of essential goods continues to climb, placing a heavy burden on working families. It’s time for the city to get back on track with ensuring living wages for working people.
Join us for a Living Wage Townhall on February 26th. Hear from affected workers, a speaker from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, and Councillor Christine Boyle. Let’s speak up together and tell Vancouver City Council to do the right thing and recertify as a living wage employer for 2024.
DATE: Monday, February 26th
TIME: 7:30PM-9:00PM
PLACE: Maritime Labour Centre Auditorium, 1880 Triumph St. or via Zoom
This is a family-friendly event. All are welcome.
STRIKES AND LOCKOUTS |
| Please respect the unions’ picket lines in the following disputes, and do not patronize these businesses until the dispute is settled. |
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February 14 th
Memoriam
In Honor of
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People
Today, on February 14th, and everyday, CUPE Local 1936 would like to honor and acknowledge
the prevalence of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit people in
British Columbia and throughout Canada.
We join with our Indigenous friends and comrades as they mourn the children, siblings, parents
and other loved ones lost due to ongoing colonization, institutional racism and violence.
We call on elected officials at all levels of government to help prevent further tragedy as a
result of colonial violence through meaningful and sustained action.
In solidarity,
CUPE Local 1936 Table Officers
Sheryl Burns
Lee-Ann Lalli
Bernice Way
Valeria Mancilla
