IT’S TIME TO FIX THE LABOUR BOARD

by
Subject: Send a letter: Fix the BC Labour Relations Board

Dear Local 1936 members,

We need your help.

For almost two years, 3,200 student workers at UBC have been waiting to join CUPE and have the protection of a union.

They’re stuck waiting for a decision from the BC Labour Relations Board because of a serious backlog of cases. And they’re not the only workers waiting for a decision.

CUPE members across BC are waiting too long for access to mediation and other Board services that help secure fair contracts and avoid unnecessary job action.

Can you take two minutes, now, to help us fix the labour board?

Join me and write a letter!

We’re calling on the BC government to step up and fund the labour board so it can do its job, clear the backlog, and ensure fair, timely decisions for everyone—so workers, employers, and communities don’t have to wait in limbo for months on end.

We’re also asking the province to fix the law and ensure student workers are recognized as employees in the Labour Relations Code.

It’s time to end the wait, fund the Labour Relations Board, and fix the law.

Thanks for your help!

Bernice
Local 1936

CUPE BC WEBINAR Sex Work 101: Destigmatizing Sex Work & Working in Solidarity

by

Greetings:   This is a friendly reminder that CUPE BC will be hosting the following webinar next week on Wednesday, March 5th.  Please see below for more details and register using the link provided:

 Sex Work 101: Destigmatizing Sex Work and Working in Solidarity

Wednesday, March 5, 2025  ,    6:00 – 9:00 pm PST with breaks.     Registration Link: Click here

Led by PACE Society, this webinar will provide members with an overview of what sex work is, what it isn’t, and why people get into it. It will review myths and facts about sex work, examine the law in detail, look at current legal challenges and why sex workers need decriminalization. During the webinar, the presenter will also debunk the conflation of human trafficking and sex work, discuss stigma and ways to counteract it, best practices for front line workers, history and current situation with police, and what unions can do to help remove obstacles to sex worker’s inclusion in the labour movement.

This event is being organized by the CUPE BC Women’s and Gender Rights Committee in partnership with PACE Society. It will be held in webinar format with breaks throughout.

 ABOUT THE PRESENTER:    Kit is a queer, non-binary, multiply disabled anti-zionist jewish settler originally from Treaty 7 Territory in aka Calgary. They have been with PACE since 2017 in a variety of roles and are currently the Community Co-executive director.

 SAFETY REMINDER & OMBUDSPERSON CONTACT:   CUPE BC is committed to creating a union that is inclusive, welcoming, and free from harassment, discrimination and all types of bullying and intimidation. For this web event, an Ombudsperson has been designated to provide support for members to ensure their safety during and afterwards. Member attendees are encouraged to reach out for confidential, one-on-one support from the ombudsperson. Contact information will be circulated at the beginning of the webinar.

 Should you have any questions regarding this email, please email events@cupe.bc.ca for additional information.

 In solidarity:  CUPE British Columbia.   #410-6222 Willingdon Avenue.   Burnaby, British Columbia.   V5H 0G3.    P: 604.291.9119    www.cupe.bc.ca

Psychological Health and Safety for Workers – A 1 hour Online Course

by

Our one-hour online course helps workers deepen their understanding of the connection between work and mental health.

Participants will learn how to:

  • Define psychological health and safety
  • Recognize how work environments affect mental health
  • Identify factors that influence mental health in the workplace
  • Understand the roles and responsibilities of workers and employers in promoting psychological safety
  • A PDF certificate is available upon successful completion.

If you are interested in registering please email bway1936@gmail.com. Please identify your name, address, agency and role.

Black workers, unions and racial equity

by

Unions are a powerful force for racial and economic justice, benefiting both Black workers and society as a whole. Here’s why unions matter:

Union advantage for Black workers (Centre for Future Work, 2024)

• Union membership increases annual income for Black and racialized workers by over $3,000.

• Racialized women see a 14.2% wage increase when unionized, compared to 1.9% for racialized men.

For more information click here: BHM_202

 

PLEDGE FOR CANADA

by

Vancouver & District Labour CouncilWorkers know the power of solidarity, and in these uncertain times we need that power now more than ever. That’s why the VDLC has endorsed the Pledge for Canada, and we are encouraging you to do the same.

The Pledge offers a broad-based set of values, from which to work together to confront the threats to our economy and our sovereignty, and ensure that the future of Canada is determined by us – not by Donald Trump.

You can read the Pledge at https://engagement-canada- pledge.ca/, then join the tens of thousands of others who have already signed and are standing together for our future.

STRIKES AND LOCKOUTS

by

Please respect the unions’ picket lines in the following disputes, and do not patronize these businesses until the dispute is settled.

BCGEU vs. Western Pacific Marine
Issues: Recruitment, Retention
Commencement: November 3, 2024

ILWU 514 vs. BCMEA
Issues: Wages
Commencement: October 31, 2024

IAMAW Local 1857 vs. Kal Tire (Burnaby)
Issues: Concessions, Two-tiered Wages
Commencement: October 31, 2024

SEIU Local 2 vs. Armstrong Regional Cooperative (ARC Liquor)
Issues: Wages, Cost of Living Increases
Commencement: September 14, 2024

USW 2009 vs. Uni-Select (Bumper to Bumper)
Major Issues: Wages, Working Conditions and Use of Temporary Agency Workers
Commenced: September 3, 2024

IUOE Local 115 vs F&G Delivery Ltd
Major Issues: Wages, Terms and Conditions
Commenced: June 9, 2024

UNITE HERE Local 40 vs. Radisson Blu (formerly Pacific Gateway Hotel)
Major Issues: Recall Rights, Concessions
Commenced: May 3, 2021

SETTLED

IAMAW Local 1857 vs. West Coast Ford Lincoln (Maple Ridge)

HSA vs. West Coast Medical Imaging

ATU 1724 vs. HandyDart

***

BOYCOTTS & HOT EDICTS

Boycott: Kal Tire, all locations, IAMAW Local 1857/BCFED

Boycott: Armstrong Regional Cooperative Liquor Store, Kelowna, BC – SEIU Local 2/BCFED

Boycott: Radisson Blu (formerly Pacific Gateway Hotel), Richmond, BC – UNITE HERE Local 40/BCFED

Boycott: H&R Block, Canadian Tire, Rogers, Wendy’s, Home Hardware, Sleep Country – ACTRA/CLC