Bargaining update: Progress on non-monetary issues; monetary proposals tabled

Your Community Social Services Bargaining Association (CSSBA) committee continues to work hard

at the table to deliver renewed collective agreements that reflect your priorities.

After 29 days of bargaining with the Community Social Services Employers’ Association

(CSSEA), we’ve reached agreement on several key non-monetary improvements. These

include:

• Improved language on employer-led investigations and disciplinary meetings

• Stronger provisions around health and safety including where there are health and safety

related workload issues

• A requirement for the employer to consult employees before permanent transfers

• Stewards’ email addresses to be provided to new employees

• Changes to the expedited arbitration process

• A commitment to renegotiate local issues after the renewal of main agreements

We’ve also made progress on housekeeping and formatting changes and updated outdated

terms like “residential” to “residence” to better reflect the work and settings of our members.

Discussions are ongoing on several important items including union meetings at worksites,

technological change, harassment and bullying language, and leave provisions for casual

employees.

Monetary proposals

On October 3rd, we tabled our monetary proposals. This allows CSSEA to begin reviewing and

costing our proposals during a brief scheduled pause in negotiations. We will resume non-

monetary talks later this month and then shift our focus to monetary negotiations.

Indigenous Services (IS) bargaining update

The CSSBA and CSSEA Indigenous Services Bargaining Committees met on September 8 for their

first joint session. It was a positive and productive start. We finalized and signed the Indigenous

Services Gathering Protocols, reviewed joint committee work, and discussed shared priorities. The

next round of Indigenous Services bargaining is scheduled for October 22–24, where we’ll begin

substantive discussions.

Your continued support and engagement is critical to our collective success at the bargaining

table. We have 12 more bargaining days scheduled through the end of November. Please ensure

that your contact information is up-to-date with your local, and that you are continuing to monitor

your email for updates as we continue work at the bargaining table.

In solidarity,

Your CUPE representatives on the CSSBA Bargaining Committee

Sheryl Burns CUPE 1936

Lee-Ann Lalli CUPE 1936

Valeria Mancilla CUPE 1936

Bob Crozier CUPE 523

Laura House CUPE 3999

COPE491

Join us for the Monthly Membership Meeting

Wednesday October 15th, 2025 @ 6:30 pm

***Please note if you are a shop steward, unit chair then the executive meeting will start at 6pm and you would use the same zoom link. ***

Registration is required via Zoom (see link below)

To be eligible for the prizes –  you must register by October  14th and attend the full meeting

We will be providing updates, unit reports & committee reports, new business and prize draw.

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

Hi there,

You are invited to a Zoom meeting.
When: Oct 15, 2025 06:30 PM Vancouver

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/0Nt6EaDsQraBz15pwvKuIg

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

Join us for the Monthly Membership Meeting Wednesday September 17th, 2025 @ 6:30 pm ***Please note if you are a shop steward, unit chair then the executive meeting will start at 6pm and you would use the same zoom link. *** Registration is required via Zoom (see link below) To be eligible for the prizes –  you must register by September 16th and attend the full meeting We will be providing updates, unit reports & committee reports, new business and prize draw. Please post on the union bulletin boards at your worksite and let others know. Hi there, You are invited to a Zoom meeting. When: Sep 17, 2025 06:30 PM Vancouver Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/EH56LGocR-iKtJzTqaveTA After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

September 11, 2025

The Community Social Services Bargaining Association negotiation committee,
including your CUPE representatives, are back at the negotiations table this week. We
are continuing to make progress on non-monetary proposals with the Community
Social Services Employers’ Association (CSSEA).
Our goal remains the same as we get back to the table: to raise pressing workplace
concerns with the employers and win real solutions to problems that have plagued our
sector for too long. We remain firm that a quality community social services contract
must address the concerns that you raised to our committee.
And as you’ll have seen in the news, workers represented by the BC Government
Employees Union (the “BCGEU”) are currently on strike with the province at several
worksites. We stand firmly in support and solidarity with BCGEU and its members on
strike. We are watching this situation closely and encourage members to show their
support for their fight for a fair collective agreement.
Your continued support and engagement are critical to our collective success at the
bargaining table. Please remind your coworkers to sign up to get updates by email and
ensure that your contact information is current, so you can get regular updates during
bargaining.
In solidarity,
Your CUPE representatives on the CSSBA Bargaining Committee
Sheryl Burns CUPE 1936
Lee-Ann Lalli CUPE 1936
Valeria Mancilla CUPE 1936
Bob Crozier CUPE 523
Laura House CUPE 399

 

COPE491

 

LAST CALL: Young Workers Leadership Retreat

Loon Lake Lodge and Retreat Centre
Maple Ridge / September 8–10, 2025

It’s the final call for this popular event! If you’re a young worker interested in taking on a leadership position in the labour movement, this is your chance to develop the skills that will help you on your journey.

You’ll be one of just 50 young workers delving into your own styles of leadership and identifying areas for growth. You’ll complete trainings like:

• the acclaimed Be More Than A Bystander training
• Organizing 101 – Workers Unite!
• Organizing 102 – All Power to the People
• Listen Up! Public speaking, moving the motions, and crafting the chants
• Why Unions Should Care About Politics and How We Get Involved

Together, you’ll build a broad range of leadership skills, such as organizing and active allyship to build more equitable and inclusive workplaces. We’ll offer team- and trust-building activities throughout the retreat, as you develop a better understanding of where you are and where you’d like to see yourself to achieve your goals.

Interested in coming? Talk to your union today!

 

Don’t ship our jobs overseas

BC Ferries just handed half a billion dollars in public money to a state-owned shipyard in China while welders, riggers, apprentices and steelworkers here sit on the sidelines.

Let’s stand up for good jobs, stronger communities and a ferry system we can count on. Offshore builds may look cheaper on paper — until you count the hundreds and hundreds of millions in lost wages, tax revenue and economic opportunity.

Tell your MLA and MP: build our ferries here, not there.

 

 

Current Disputes

Notice Issued

UNITE HERE Local 40 vs Coast Hotels
Notice issued: Monday, June 30, 2025

Strikes and Lockouts

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

USW 1944 vs Rogers Communications (Abbotsford)
Issues: Wage parity, contract length
Commencement: June 19, 2025

IUOE 115 vs Diamond Truck Center (Harbour International)
Issues: Concessions
Commencement: March 20, 2025

IBB D-277 vs. Heidelberg Materials
Issues: Contracting out, health benefits
Commencement : January 13, 2025

Settled

CUPE vs Air Canada
A tentative agreement has been reached for members to vote on.

SEIU Local 2 vs Alberni Golf Club (Port Alberni)

BCGEU vs LifeLabs

BCGEU vs Western Pacific Marine
Note: Pickets ended April 11th, parties proceeding to mediation.

Save with hundreds of discounts available on your smartphone. Mark’s – Save 10% in-store every day and save 25% off regular priced items from Sept. 7th to 13th. Under Armour Canada – Save up to 40% off outlet plus an additional 30% and an additional 15% until Sept. 2nd. Foot Locker – Save up to 50% plus an additional 15% off until Sept. 2nd. Ardene – Save an additional 10% off all purchases. Penningtons – Save an additional 10% off regular and sale prices in-store or online. Chefs Plate Canada – Receive up to 22 free meals plus New Dollar Menu. HP Canada – Save up to an additional $150 until Sept. 6th. NYX Canada – Save 20% off regular priced items. Rogers – Save 30% or more on Rogers smartphone plans and phones. Choice Hotels – Save 15% with ESM Preferred Rates at all Choice Hotels worldwide. Save on admission tickets to Disneyland, Disneyworld, Universal Studios, Six Flags, Knott’s Berry Farm and almost all other US theme parks. Tap the ESM App and check out the “Travel and Play” category for details about these offers and all travel discounts including hotels, vacation packages, car rentals and more. The Co-operators – Extra savings on home, condo or tenants insurance with ES discount code 87015. Call 1-800-387-1963 and mention the name of your organization and the ES discount code 87015 to find out how much you can save. Join the thousands of ES Customers who are saving hundreds of dollars every year on their home insurance. For details, check out “Insurance Services” in the “Business & Money” category on the ES App.  New Merchant Savings Available Now on ESM Factor Canada – Save up to an additional $120 or more. Pine Mortgage – Receive up to $5,000 cash back in addition to low mortgage rates, and dedicated support. Emma Sleep Canada – Save up to 40% off mattresses and accessories plus an additional 8% until Sept 8th. Body Jewelry – Save an additional 25% off all items. Ulanzi – Save 20% off regular priced or an additional 3% off sale items.

To get the ES Mobile App on your smartphone, use the direct links below (Apple or Google). When you first download ES, you will be asked for the: CUPE BC “Organization Code”. It’s: cupebc

Hi everyone!

We’re kicking off our new young workers committee with a BBQ social at Trout lake (John Hendry Park) on Sunday the 24th! We will be setting up at 2pm at the south side of the lake where we’ll be grilling up some food for folks and hanging out into the evening. We’re supplying food and friendly faces. (BYOB but we will have water).

We’re looking for workers 35 and younger who are interested in socializing, organizing and broadly getting more active in the Vancouver District Labour Council. If you or anyone you know from your Locals is interested in making new friends, and getting more involved, please send them our way! I’m hoping for this to be a fun way to find new young delegates for the council.

Our first meeting will be a casual social where we can get to know one another and discuss some of our plans for the future of the committee. Please RSVP through the following link so we can determine how many people we should plan to cook for. There is also a space for dietary preferences and restrictions:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf6ZYRQRMov7cf6bI4LgOHx2PGFvRX5i8N2sZyyiqgztsuIOA/viewform?usp=header

Looking forward to meeting you,

Avril McGurk, Chairperson
VDLC Young Workers’ Committee

Circulated on behalf of USW Local 1944 –

Rogers Tower, 1067 W. Cordova St., Vancouver, BC, from 1-2PM.

If you can’t attend this rally, please consider making a donation to the strikers.

Donation link here: https://checkout.square.site/merchant/9Q99DAFTXJ7Y4/checkout/KM5NLAC4ZWPQKBUYPSPUBLV

 

Notice Issued UNITEHERE Local 40 vs Coast Hotels Notice issued: Monday, June 30, 2025 Strikes and Lockouts Please respect the unions’ picket lines in the following disputes, and do not patronize these businesses until the dispute is settled. SEIU Local 2 vs Alberni Golf Club (Port Alberni) Issues: Wages, Benefits, Pension Commencement: July 21, 2025 USW 1944 vs Rogers Communications (Abbotsford) Issues: Wage parity, contract length Commencement: June 19, 2025 IUOE 115 vs Diamond Truck Center (Harbour International) Issues: Concessions Commencement: March 20, 2025 IBB D-277 vs. Heidelberg Materials Issues: Contracting out, health benefits Commencement : January 13, 2025 Settled BCGEU vs. LifeLabs BCGEU vs. Western Pacific Marine Note: Pickets ended April 11th, parties proceeding to mediation.

Dear members,

 Join CUPE Metro at the Vancouver Canadians – for Free!   —         CUPE BC is proud to be coordinating a CUPE Night at the Vancouver Canadians. Join us at the game on Thursday, August 21 at 7:00pm. We have opened up RSVPs for tickets for you and up to three guests. Please fill out this form to RSVP by Friday, July 25th. Tickets have been purchased by CUPE BC, CUPE Metro, and CUPE National. After July 28th, tickets will be confirmed by email, based on availability and distribution throughout different locals. 

BC Fed | 2025 Young Workers Leadership Retreat | Sep 8-10.  –   Registration is now open for the BC Federation of Labour 2025 Young Workers Leadership Retreat in Maple Ridge, running from September 8 to 10! This is a great way to help develop the next generation of leadership in your union and our movement.

 Dates: Sep 8-12, 2025

Location: Loon Lake Lodge & Retreat Centre at 14500 Silver Valley Rd, Maple Ridge

Fee: $500 covering transportation, accommodation and all meals

Registration: Click here

More Information: See event site

CoDev Canada | Harvest of Empire Movie Night | Jul 24  —   CoDevelopment Canada is hosting a special movie night celebrating Latin American voices, stories, and the journeys that connect us all, with Q&A and conversation after the viewing of Harvest of Empire (2012).

Date & Time: Jul 24, 2025 | 6:30pm (Pacific)
Location: SFU Harbour Centre at 515 West Hastings St, Vancouver

Ticket Requests: Click here

VDLC | Fall Education | Sep 5-Nov 26. —  The Vancouver & District Labour Council is offering a great selection of workshops for the fall which include Legal Research, Investigations & Interrogations Level I and II, History of Canadian Labour, Human Rights, WCB Pensions, Psychological Injuries, BC Labour Code and more. See full listings here and visit VDLC Events to register.

 FNHA | With Open Arms Campaign Toolkit —   Read more here on the “With Open Arms” harm reduction toolkit for Indigenous youth developed by the First Nations Health Authority YAC (Youth Advisory Committee) drawing on the principles of holistic wellness. Click here for more information on the broader campaign or to download resources.

 CCFA-Vancouver | Moncada Day Event | Jul 26  —-   Visiting University of Houston Professor of History and African American Studies Dr. Gerald Horne will be the keynote speaker for the Canadian-Cuban Friendship Association’sMoncada Day event Solidarity Across Nations: Moncada’s Revolutionary Legacy. The evening will be a gathering of activists, scholars, and community members reflecting on the legacy of the anti-imperialist struggle, the importance of self-determination and the vital role of international solidarity. Admission is free.

 Date & Time: Jul 26, 2025 | 7:00pm (Pacific)
Location: Russian Hall at 600 Campbell Ave, Vancouver

Labor Notes | Virtual Stewards Workshop | Jul 23   —-   All union stewards are invited to register for July’s virtual workshop from Labor Notes. See monthly educational calendar here.

 Date & Time: Jul 23, 2025 | 7:30pm – 9:00pm (Eastern)

Fee: $10 US, no one turned away for lack of funds
Registration: Click here

 

Electoral Reform Special Committee | Call for Submissions | Jul 25  —-   Written submissions to the Special Committee on Democratic and Electoral Reform, seeking input on democratic engagement, voter participation, and electoral reform, will be accepted via PDF until July 25, 2025 2:00pm (Pacific). See more information and submission preparation guidelines here.

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