City of Surrey | Accessibility and Transportation Engagement Call | Dec 8       Help enhance accessibility in Surrey by providing public feedback on the City’s draft Accessibility Action Plan with the goal of enhancing accessibility, removing barriers and creating a more inclusive community. The online survey is open until Dec 8, 2023.

CCPA | The Monitor print editions by donation           Those wanting print editions of Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives magazine The Monitor next year can sign up for 4 quarterly editions with a minimum annual donation of $35 to the CCPA. Digital editions are freely available online. More information on print copies here.

DEWC Peer Program | Donation Call | Nov-Dec 2023.      The DEWC is in the process of raising funds for their peer program in order to keep up with inflation and continue to empower the women in the DTES community with low-barrier employment opportunities and education. Every $5 donated to the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre supports a meal for a woman in need. Read this month’s spotlight on Skills Development Program volunteer Sam here

CCDI Consulting | DEI Education Calendar | Jan-Mar 2024          Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion Consulting group has published a series of instructor-led courses as well as e-learning workshops for individuals happening winter/spring 2024, with 3 certificates available: Foundations in IDEA, Antiracism Education, and Beyond IDEA Awareness.

Food Bank Challenge | CUPE Local 382.      CUPE BC and CUPE Local 382 have a challenge for you!  CUPE Local 382, in each of the last five years, has donated a “toonie” per member to their local food bank in Victoria.  CUPE BC has committed to match Local 382’s food bank donations this year. This year, CUPE Local 382 would like to extend this friendly challenge to ALL CUPE Locals in British Columbia and encourage each member to donate a “toonie” to a local food bank.  This opportunity to help communities across the Province will show the type of solidarity and strength that comes when working within a Union. Find a local food bank by visiting the Food Banks of BC website  

VPL Vancouver presents author Brandi Morin: On the Frontlines of Indigenous Land Defence, a streamed event on Dec 7, 2023. Register here and follow @bclibraries-present on crowdcast to get notifications on more author spotlights in 2024.

Dear CUPE members and Child Care leaders,

For those of you who I have not had the pleasure to meet yet, my name is Julia and I am a senior researcher at CUPE currently assigned to child care.

First of all, congratulations to all of you who attended National Convention in October and were able to pass Resolution 23 which affirms CUPE’s commitment to advocate for a Canda-wide Early Learning and Child Care system that is universal, accessible, affordable, high quality and culturally safe.

In that regard, I am writing today to share some information with you in preparation for November 30th, which is the national  day of action on child care and early learning organized by Child Care Now.

Below you will find a link to a web post published yesterday which invites CUPE members and locals to sign on to an open letter to government and to participate in actions across the country on November 30^th .

https://cupe.ca/cupe-joins-allies-push-progress-early-learning-and-child-care

CUPE joins allies to push for progress on early learning and child care At CUPE’s recent National Convention, delegates adopted a resolution calling for our union to collaborate with Child Care Now to make progress on creating a Canada-wide early learning and child care system that is universal and affordable. cupe.ca

We know many of you are already planning actions to mark the day – social media campaigns, rallies and more. Please let us know about what you have planned so that we can highlight and push out your actions through CUPE’s social media channels next week too.

And if you have not planned anything yet, please consider signing the open letter, suggesting that your local sign it too, and finding that polka-dotted piece of clothing in your closet for a selfie in support of child care services and child care workers! #DotsforSpots

You can find more information on the Day of Action on Child Care Now’s website:  https://childcarenow.ca/2023/11/10/get-ready-for-november-30th-the-day-of-action-for-elcc/

If you have any question or suggestions, do not hesitate to contact me and/or my communications colleague Christine (ccroteau@cupe.ca).

In solidarity,

Julia

ILWU 400: Save Our Sailors

The Port of Vancouver is abandoning tugboat workers.

ILWU Local 400 members have been working on tugboats at the Port of Vancouver for decades, some for generations. With their decades of experience, they know these waters better than anyone. But now, the Port of Vancouver is awarding contracts to the operator with the lowest rate—instead of the most experienced.

The Port is a federal agency and should not be run like a private business. The Port’s actions are creating a downward spiral in the tugboat industry, encouraging lower salaries and inferior benefits. This is leaving hardworking, experienced sailors struggling to put food on table in the most expensive city in Canada. It’s robbing them of the future they deserve.

We’re told the Port is good for Vancouver and Canada, but it’s sinking the futures of our tugboat workers and their families. These workers made the Port into what it is today. We have to fight back. The Port of Vancouver must change the way it awards contracts. All companies bidding to work in the Port of Vancouver must treat their workers fairly and ensure they are working under Local Industry Standards, so every worker can support their families and afford to live in their local community.We need to show those really in charge at the federal government that the Port is being mismanaged, and that interim president and CEO Victor Pang needs to change course.

Send a letter to your MP and Minister of Transport Pablo Rodriguez and demand they step up for tugboat workers.

Solidarity with UNITE HERE! Local 40 hotel workers

• Workers at the Sheraton Vancouver Airport have been on strike now for five months! The hotel’s management has been cited multiple times for breaching the labour code.
• Air Canada is still sending distressed passengers to the Sheraton’s neighbouring sister hotels: the Hilton Vancouver Airport and Marriott Vancouver Airport.
• Workers at the Radisson Blu YVR (formerly Pacific Gateway) have been on the picket line for nearly two and a half years — ever since the hotel used the pandemic as an excuse to fire 70% of their staff, mostly women and people of colour. And the employer has admitted to more than a dozen breaches of anti-scab legislation.

Take action below — and follow UNITE HERE! Local 40 on Facebook, Twitterand Instagram.

28th Annual Labour Community Holiday Event

Surrey: December 22, 2023 – 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Vancouver: December 23, 2023 – 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm

DONATION REQUEST

Each year we come together to celebrate the holidays by sharing with those in need. Over 2,000 people and families take part in this annual tradition.

We are extremely excited to announce that this year we will be having a full turkey dinner, food hampers, clothing boutique and toys in two separate areas and evenings hosted by the BC labour community.

1st Event Location: Surrey (tbc)
Event date / time – Friday December 22nd, 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm

2nd Event Location: Maritime Labour Centre, Vancouver
Event date / time – Saturday December 23rd, 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm

None of this can happen without you!

We’ll need plenty of volunteers to make this event a success, and our labour community always comes through. To take part in this vital event, get in touch with your name and contact details to bcfed-ea@bcfed.ca.

Financial contributions are also critical to the success of this annual event. Many families count on us being there. That is why we’re making this special request for your generous financial donation. Together we can provide an important community service and celebrate the spirit of giving this holiday.

Please make your cheque payable to:
Labour Community Christmas Dinner
c/o BC Federation of Labour
Suite 110-4259 Canada Way, Burnaby BC V5E 1H3

For more information, please contact Marisha at 604-308-7474 or by email at bcfed-ea@bcfed.ca.

Friends:
Please join us on November 28^th from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm for the BCFED’s event to mark the International Day of Persons With Disabilities.
The event will be held in a hybrid format, with in-person registration limited to 35 people, and online registration is unlimited.
The in-person session will be held in room 402 at the Surrey Library City Centre Branch.
Please see the attached poster and below for registration information, and please share widely!

Register for Online Attendance:
https://bcfed.ca/content/idpwd2023online

Register for in in-person attendance:
https://bcfed.ca/content/idpwd2023

We look forward to seeing you there!
In solidarity,

       Registration Link for zoom meeting below

FRIENDLY REMINDER
CUPE Local 1936 Monthly Membership Meeting 
(the 3rd Wednesday of every month, except July, August and December)

PLEASE NOTE:   This will be a Hybrid Meeting.  This means you can join in person or via Zoom (see link below) 

**  Make sure you register by November 14th  and attend the meeting to be eligible for the prizes. **
** Please register and RSVP if attending in person @6222 Willingdon Ave, Burnaby     ( 4th floor in Grace Hartman Room) to be eligible for the prizes**

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

ZOOM LINK

Hi there,

You are invited to a Zoom meeting.
When: Nov 15, 2023 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.

Meeting ID :  824 1644 2492
Security Passcode:   072788

International Women’s Day –   Friday March 8, 202

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We have 7 upcoming workshops this month – both. in-person and on zoom.

1. BC Labour Code – November 14
2. WCB Update Bill 41 | Part 2 – November 15
3. Job Steward Level I – November 20 & 21
4. Age 65: Do Your WCB Benefits End? – November 22
5. Drug and Alcohol Policies and Testing – November 22
6. Domestic Violence in the Workplace – November 24 & 25
7. Job Steward Level II – November 27 & 28

——————————————————————————————————

The 29th Annual Labour Appreciation Night is a special event hosted by the United Way British Columbia, the Vancouver & District Labour Council, and the New Westminster & District Labour Council. Purchase your tickets now and come celebrate the extraordinary efforts of community leaders and your fellow union activists who are strengthening unions and making a positive impact on our communities.

WHEN: Thursday November 30, 2023.  WHERE: IUOE Local 115 Auditorium, 4333 Ledger Avenue, Burnaby       TIME: 5:30pm to 9:00pm

To purchase tickets and learn more about the event, click HERE

NYSHN & WEA | Resources for Indigenous, Queer, Youth & Environmental Justice:                You Are Made of Medicine is a new mental health peer support manual for 2SLGBTQIA+ Indigenous youth, composed by the Native Youth Sexual Health Network and available in full online. The NYSHN also frequently collaborates with the Women’s Earth Alliance, and in 2016, they published Violence on the Land, Violence on Our Bodies together, a collection of stories from lived experience towards building an Indigenous response to environmental violence. Read the report here.

Yellowhead Institute | Reporting on Indigenous issues in Canada:             Yellowhead Institute  an Indigenous-led research and education centre at Toronto Metropolitan University, publishes in-depth articles oriented to Indigenous philosophy, amplifying Indigenous voices to provide alternatives to settler colonialism in Canada today.Read this week’s in-depth analysis of the extent to which Canada has responded to Call to Action #93

BC-CHSF | LunchLAB Video:    This is a historic year for school meal funding in BC, with the 2023-24 budget issuing funding for all school districts in the province with the Feeding Futures program. In the wake of the success of their ongoing campaign, members of the BC Coalition for Healthy School Foods were recently featured in the CBC Vancouver short film Getting an Audible Education. View here.

Local Representation | Barriers Project Report:          Local Representations is a partnership between The Feminist Campaign School and Climate Caucus to investigate systemic barriers to women’s participation as leaders in local government structures in British Columbia and Alberta. Research results from 2021 to date are available in a full report with recommendations here.

Hi there,

You are invited to a Zoom meeting.
When: Sep 20, 2023 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.