Provincial Bargaining Update

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September 16, 2022

Wages, compensation and Indigenous rights dominate contract talks this week

As negotiations for your new collective agreement continue, talks are heating up between your community social services bargaining association and representatives of the employers’ association.

This week, your committee countered the employers’ wages and compensation offer. Your committee has heard loud and clear from our members across the community social services sector that protection against the rising cost of living is a key priority.

There is still significant work to do at the table to achieve a fair and equitable compensation package, including wage increases, as both sides are quite far apart.

Talks are also focused on meaningful recognition of the rights of Indigenous workers across all three subsector collective agreements: Community Living, General Services, and Indigenous Services.

Community social services is the only public sector with a specific subsector collective agreement for Indigenous Services. These workers support individuals, children, and families in communities across the province in roles including family preservation workers, social workers, counsellors, support workers and so much more.

We cannot reach an agreement that does not fully recognize these workers and bring them parity with their counterparts, specifically those who are directly employed by the provincial government in non-Indigenous agencies.

Your bargaining team is scheduled to be back at the table for more talks next week. We are making progress on shared priorities including improvements for safer and healthier workplaces, better mental health supports and recognition of the diversity of our members. But we are going to continue to fight hard for a compensation package that recognizes your value.

As we move forward, it is more important than ever before that we keep you in the loop. Make sure that your worksite contacts and union stewards have your updated contact information (you can update it here) and that you have signed your union card.

Please make sure that your colleagues are also updating their contact information and share this bulletin!

In solidarity,

Your Community Social Services Bargaining Association (CSSBA) Negotiating Committee

cope491

 

Rescheduling of the September 21st Membership Meeting

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Due to Provincial Community Social Services Bargaining we are canceling the September 21st Membership meeting. We are tentatively rescheduling this meeting for Wednesday, September 28th at the same time of 6:30 pm via Zoom. Please check the CUPE Local 1936 website, www.1936.cupe.ca , for further updates regarding this meeting and /or Provincial CSS Bargaining. 
We are sorry for any inconvenience this has cause.
Below is the link to the September 28th Membership Meeting.

Hi there,

You are invited to a Zoom meeting.
When: Sep 28, 2022 06:30 PM Vancouver

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIkfuyhrTsrHdwyYhQo7UxwsDdGPnl6fHLh

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

 Make sure you register ahead of time so your name can be added to the draw for prizes.

We hope you all we be able to make it.

Please post on the union bulletin boards at your worksite and let others know.

Happy Sex Worker Pride Day – September 14th

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September 14th marks Sex Worker Pride Day. The day was first commemorated in 2019 as an opportunity to celebrate sex workers’ self-determination and achievements.

Street-based sex workers in the WISH community—while they face incredible challenges—are resilient, intelligent, and strong. They survive, create, and care for each other in a society that routinely denies them a voice and discounts their humanity.

Let us celebrate rights, not rescue, and call attention to the laws that continue to create dangerous conditions for sex worker

 

STRIKES AND LOCKOUTS

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

BCGEU vs. Government of British Columbia
Major Issues: Wages (meaningful cost of living protections)
Commenced: August 15, 2022
Update: The parties have returned to negotiations, and the BCGEU has suspended its job action for now.

UNITEHERE! Local 40 vs. Pacific Gateway Hotel
Major Issues: Recall Rights, Concessions
Commenced: May 3, 2021

IBEW 213 vs. Ledcor
Major Issues: First agreement (in bargaining for 2 years), mass terminations, working conditions, pay & benefits, job security & seniority
Commenced: September 30, 2019

 BOYCOTTS & HOT EDICTS

Boycott: SAS Group (Scandinavian Airlines System) – CLC
Boycott: Pacific Gateway Hotel, Richmond, BC – UNITEHERE! Local 40/BCFED

Sept 21st Membership Monthly Meeting

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Below is the link to the zoom membership meeting. (you might have to copy and paste) Looking forward to seeing you at it.

Hi there,

You are invited to a Zoom meeting.
When: Sep 21, 2022 06:30 PM Vancouver

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIkfuyhrTsrHdwyYhQo7UxwsDdGPnl6fHLh

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.SEpt

HAPPY LABOUR DAY!

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CUPE 1936 would like to wish all of our members a Happy Labour Day. It is with great pride that we get to celebrate the hard work we do and celebrate the accomplishments of the labour movement and the benefits of having a union at work.

CUPE BC  hopes members will enjoy the many Labour Day festivities happening this September 5th throughout the province and nation-wide. If you have photographs from Labour Day celebrations you wish to send to CUPE BC, please e-mail sbeasley@cupe.ca with the subject Labour Day Member Photos.

 CLC | Labour Day Events 2022:            The Canadian Labour Congress has compiled a list of Labour Day union celebrations and marches across the country.. Those wishing to add an event, contact president-assistant@clcctc.ca      

CUPE BC UPDATES GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS & RESOURCES

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UN | International Day of Charity | Sep 5 :     The United Nations General Assembly declared the International Day of Charity towards the objective of sensitizing and mobilizing people, NGOs, and stakeholders all around the world to help others through volunteer and philanthropic activities, choosing Sep 5th to honour the date of the passing of Mother Theresa. View the most recent human development reports.

BCFED | Psychologically Healthy and Safe Workplaces | Sep 8 :      A two-part virtual workshop, from the BCFED Health & Safety Centre, in line with the CSA Standard, will provide participants with the tools to create strategies that will support workers with mental health issues, individually and collectively, using a preventative approach.

Date & Time: Sep 8, 2022 | 8:30am (part 1) & 4:30pm (part 2) – Pacific             Fee: $155

Massy Arts | Indigenous Perspectives Series | Sep 13:      Massy Arts is hosting SFU’s Dr. June Scudeler in person for We Are the Best Survivors, a free talk on Indigenous Horror in literature, film and art. Donations are welcome.

Date & Time: Sep 13, 2022 | 6:00pm.      Location: Massy Arts Society at 23 East Pender, Vancouver

Registration: Click here

BCCWITT | Be More Than a Bystander Training:       In collaboration with the Ending Violence Association of BC and the BC Lions, the BC Centre for Women in the Trades has an acclaimed, ongoing bystander education program. Apply here.

Courage to Act | National Skillshare Series | Nov 2022-Sep 2023:      From late fall into of next year, Courage to Act is offering a series of free courses on gender-based violence prevention, harm reduction, and trauma-informed healing strategies.

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

 In solidarity,

CUPE BC Executive Board

CUPE British Columbia

Changes coming to the Right to Refuse Unsafe Work for Provincially regulated jurisdictions

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Changes are coming in August to the right to refuse unsafe work

Workers have the right to refuse work that would “create an undue hazard to the health and safety of any person”. When a worker exercises this right it helps identify hazards and keep workplaces safer for all.

Starting August 22, 2022, WorkSafeBC will be implementing amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety regulations that create an entire new section (3.12.1). This section makes important changes to the process, including what employers can and can’t do after a refusal takes place.

Starting August employers must ensure a subsequent worker is advised in writing (an email or text, for example) of any unresolved work refusal made in relation to assigned work.

Reassignment of refused work (Entire section is new)

3.12.1 (1) If a worker refuses work under section 3.12, the employer must not require or permit another worker to do the refused work unless

(a) the matter has been resolved under section 3.12 (3), (4) or (5), or

(b) the employer has, in writing, advised the other worker and a person referred to in section 3.12 (4)(a), (b) or (c) of all of the following:

(i) the refusal;

(ii) the unsafe condition reported under section 3.12 (2);

(iii) the reasons why the task would not create an undue hazard to the health and safety of the other worker or any other person;

(iv) the right of the other worker under section 3.12 to refuse unsafe work.

Source: https://www.worksafebc.com/en/resources/law-policy/discussion-papers/bod-approves-amendments-ohsr-march22/part-3?lang=en

Support CUPE members trapped in Dominican Republic

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Sisters, brothers and friends,

For over four months, two of our members have been held in the Dominican Republic without charge, in fear for their lives, simply for doing their duty and following the law.

On April 5, flight attendants Christina Carello and Alexander Rozov – members of CUPE Local 4059 – were detained along with the rest of their crew after discovering and reporting suspected contraband on their plane in the Dominican Republic.

They followed their duty to the letter, and aviation experts say the crew’s actions likely averted an air disaster due to the weight and location of the contraband. Instead of receiving thanks for their actions, Christina and Alexander and the rest of their crew have been denied their freedom, and their rights to justice and safety. Dominican prosecutors want them held in prison for up to 12 months as an investigation drags on.

For four long months, CUPE’s Airline Division has been part of an ongoing effort to help bring Christina and Alexander home. Today, we are calling on our broader CUPE membership to join this effort. Together, we must step up the pressure on Dominican authorities and on the Canadian government.

Christina and Alexander are part of our union family, and we must do what we can to bring them home to their lives and their loved ones in Canada.

Each of us can do our part and make a difference. We are urging all members and locals to visit the website to support Christina and Alexander today.

In solidarity,

Mark Hancock
MARK HANCOCK
National President
CANDACE RENNICK
National Secretary-Treasurer

CUPE BC Weekly Update

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BCGEU Job Action | Aug 2022

As of Monday, Aug 15, public sector worker members of the BC General Employees Union began targeted job action in response to the impasse in contract negotiations with the provincial government. Picket lines have gone up at the following BC Liquor Distribution Branch wholesale locations:

Delta Distribution Centre (DDC) – 7003 72nd Street, Delta

Kamloops Distribution Centre (KDC) – 9881 Dallas Drive, Kamloops

Richmond Distribution Centre (RDC) – 3389 No 6 Rd, Richmond

Victoria Wholesale Customer Centre – 2291 Government Street, Victoria

 

CLC | Labour Day Events 2022

The Canadian Labour Congress has compiled a list of Labour Day union celebrations and marches across the country. Show your support at a local event near you.

 

Vancouver & District Labour Council Labour Day Picnic
Date & Time: Monday, September 5, 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Location: John Hendry (Trout Lake) Park, 3300 Victoria Drive, Vancouver

 

BC Lions | Ticket Giveaway | Aug 26 & Sep 24

A select number of tickets are available on giveaway to two upcoming BC Lions matches at BC Place Stadium:

Friday, Aug 26, 2022 at 7:30pm

BC Lions vs Saskatchewan Roughriders

Saturday, Sep 24, 2022 at 7:00pm

BC Lions vs Calgary Stampeders

Please submit expressions of interest to info@cupe.bc.ca no later than 12:00pm Monday, Aug 22.

 

VALU CO-OP & Lim Association | House of 9 Dragons | Sep 10-11

Years in the making, an oral history exhibit of Vancouver Chinatown heritage building The House of 9 Dragons is happening next month in Vancouver’s Chinatown, a collaboration between artist union VALU CO-OP and the Lim Sai Hor Kow Mock Benevolent Association. Free to all; light snacks provided.

 Date & Time: Sep 10-11, 2022 | 12:00pm – 6:00pm

Location: Lim Association Building 3rd floor gallery space at 531 Carrall Street, Vancouver

Register here