Dear members, 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.
CUPE Local 374 | Steve Seekins Memorial Donations: In honour of the memory of Steve Seekins, a Local 374 member who died on the job last week, the Local has set up an account where donations can be made to the Community Savings Credit Union. All funds contributed will go directly to the Seekins family and help make a meaningful difference in honouring Steve’s life.
If you’d like to donate you can either:
- Send a direct deposit (download form here) to Community Savings Credit Union.
- Send an e-transfer to treasurer@cupe374.ca and those funds will be added to the account.
Online Applications Open | Aubrey Burton/Reg Ford Scholarship | Aug 11: CUPE BC is now inviting applications online for the Aubrey Burton/Reg Ford Scholarship. Scholarships are awarded on both a competitive and lottery basis based on the following criteria:
Parent, Guardian or Spouse of Applicant, or the Applicant her/himself must be a member in good standing of a CUPE Local affiliated to CUPE BC at the time of application. Applicant must have completed Grade 12 in the current or previous calendar year. Applicant must be entering the first year of a recognized public post-secondary institution in BC. A copy of the acceptance letter from the admitting institution must be supplied. Applicant must complete an online application form supported by copies of the Senior Secondary Statement Transcript and letter(s) of reference from the school principal or counsellor.
Online Application Form: Click here Application Deadline: August 11, 2023 (end of day)
BCFED & BC Lions | June 17th Kick-off Game | Ticket Giveaway: CUPE BC is participating in the sponsorship of BC Federation of Labour’s collaboration with the BC Lions, promoting a Labour night at the Lions Concert and Kick Off home opener game on Saturday, June 17th. Members who wish to attend the game can receive up to 4 tickets apiece by request to info@cupe.bc.ca within the deadline of June 9, 2023. Requests for additional tickets can be submitted if needed, but please note that receipt of tickets is not guaranteed as their number is limited. We hope everyone will enjoy this big night!
CoDev | Annual Solidarity and Fundraising Dinner | Jun 3: Please join CoDevelopment Canada for the highly-anticipated return of their Annual Solidarity and Fundraising Dinner, where fellow labour activists from across the Lower Mainland celebrate 38 years of building partnerships between trade unions and civil society organizations in Canada and Latin America – partnerships that work to defend public services, human rights, and workers’ rights across the Americas. The evening will feature an array of authentic Latin American dishes, Latin American music, a specially-curated silent auction with fine items sourced from across Latin America, and the always delectable dessert auction.
Date & Time: Saturday, Jun 3, 2023 | 5:30pm (Pacific) Location: Maritime Labour Centre at 1880 Triumph St., Vancouver, BC. Fees: Tables of ten guests for $950.00; individual tickets of $100. Tickets: Online at codev.org OR cheque addressed to ‘CoDevelopment Canada’ OR cash at the CoDev office (#260 – 2747 E Hastings St., Vancouver). More Info: Visit the CoDev website
CoC | BC Town Halls for Pharmacare | May 31-Jun 11 The Council of Canadians’ national pharmacare campaign is underway to push the Trudeau government to fulfill its promise to enact a public pharmacare plan by the end of the year, urgently needed amid skyrocketing inflation on all fronts. You can participate in four town halls coming up in BC, the Public Pharmacare Now! series:
Wednesday May 31: Nelson (w/ Steve Morgan, Colleen Fuller, Afshin Jaberi): https://canadians.org/event/nelson-pharmacare-town-hall/
At the Nelson United Church at 602 Silica St or on Zoom (register at the link above for Zoom link)
Wednesday June 7: Powell River (w/ Steve Morgan and local guests): https://canadians.org/event/powell-river-pharmacare-town-hall/
At the Seniors Centre at 6792 Cranberry St or on Zoom (register at the link above for the Zoom link)
Thursday June 8: Vancouver (w/Avi Lewis, Colleen Fuller, Afshin Jaberi, Steve Morgan): https://canadians.org/event/vancouver-pharmacare-town-hall/
At the Unitarian Church of Vancouver at 949 W. 49th Ave Vancouver, BC
Sunday June 11: Victoria (w/Avi Lewis and special guests): https://canadians.org/event/victoria-pharmacare-town-hall/
At the Dave Dunnet Community Theatre at 2121 Cadboro Bay Rd Victoria, BC
VDLC | Municipal Affairs & Housing Committee Reboot | Jun 15: The Vancouver & District Labour Council is re-constituting its Municipal Affairs & Housing Committee, a space for delegates and members of affiliate unions to come together and engage around local issues, including housing affordability and tenants’ rights. The first meeting will be held in digital format. Date & Time: Jun 15, 2023 | 6:00pm (Pacific) via Zoom Registration: Click here
National Accessibility Week Resources: Did you know there are more than one billion people globally with disabilities? National AccessAbility Week (May 28-June 3) celebrates the contributions and leadership of Canadians with disabilities, recognizes efforts to remove barriers, and encourages education and action. UVic has compiled links and resources here.
Union Protein Project | AGM & Salmon BBQ | Jun 14: All affiliates, supporters and friends of the Union Protein Project are welcome to the annual general meeting and barbecue in Langley this year. Ample free parking is available onsite. Date & Time: Wednesday, Jun 14, 2023 | 11:30am (Pacific)
Location: United Steelworkers Union building at #9292 – 200th St, Langley, BC
RSVP: E-mail admin@proteinproject.ca (deadline: Jun 7)
BCFED | Support for Gig Workers Petition
Show support for gig workers and their fight to achieve essential workplace protections through the BC Federation of Labour’s new Gig Workers Deserve Better campaign.
Mark’s | 10% Client Savings Card | Jul 2026: All members can present this Mark’s CUPE BC Division Client Discount Card to receive an in-store 10% discount until July 2026. Additional identification should not be required at the point of purchase, but please contact our sales liaison Ainsley at604-700-1727 if there are any issues.
StrongerBC | Resources on Savings: Access a range of low-cost services, income support, direct funding and tax relief through the BC Government’s StrongerBC online directory here. Should you have any questions regarding this update, please email info@cupe.bc.ca for additional information.
In solidarity, CUPE BC Executive Board