Rapid tests being delivered to support B.C. child care provider

January 27, 2022 by bernicemway

Wednesday, January 26, 2022 2:25 PM

The Province is distributing up to 250,000 rapid antigen tests to government-funded child care providers throughout British Columbia for use by child care professionals with COVID-19 symptoms.

Rapid antigen tests are an additional tool that can be used to support health and safety in child care facilities with the aim to reduce transmission of COVID-19.

The Ministry of Health and the Office of the Provincial Health Officer continue to direct how rapid antigen tests are best used as part of the provincial pandemic response, including if additional tests will be deployed for use in child care settings.

The take-home tests will be delivered directly by the Province to Ministry of Children and Family Development-funded child care facilities through BC Mail to reduce impact on operations for child care providers. Additional information about expected timing will be provided to child care facilities in the coming days as logistics are confirmed.

For information about how rapid tests fit into the continuum of care in child care settings, child care providers are invited to join a virtual information session being hosted by the Ministry of Children and Family Development tonight, Jan. 26, 2022, from 7-8:30 p.m. (Pacific time). The session will include discussion with a panel of public-health officials to help child care professionals and parents better understand the updated public-health guidance for child care. The panel includes:

Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer
Dr. Reka Gustafson, vice-president, public health and wellness, Provincial Health Services Authority, deputy provincial health officer
Dr. Jason Wong, associate medical director, clinical prevention services, BC Centre for Disease Control
Dr. Mark Lysyshyn, deputy medical health officer, Vancouver Coastal Health
Nader Massoud, child care licensing officer, Vancouver Coastal Health

The session will include a comprehensive question-and-answer segment based on questions that have been sent by child care providers and parents, with opportunity to submit additional questions through Zoom’s question-and-answer feature during the webinar.

The meeting will be recorded and available on the Province’s YouTube page and linked to from B.C.’s child care health and safety web page for anyone unable to attend. Child care providers, parents and others can use the following login information to virtually attend or by phone:

Zoom login: https://ca01web.zoom.us/j/66417557482?pwd=aGpJNGZXUXZ3VWNGNzY3b29iN0Qrdz09
Passcode: 959521

By phone: 1 778 907-2071
Webinar ID: 664 1755 7482
Passcode: 959521

Today is Bell Let’s Talk Day

January 26, 2022 by bernicemway

Today, Bell will donate more towards mental health initiatives in Canada by contributing 5¢ for every applicable text, call, tweet or TikTok video using #BellLetsTalk, social media video view and use of our Facebook frame or Snapchat lens. Keep listening, keep talking and keep being there for ourselves and each other.

Calls

For every call made by Bell wireless and home phone customers*, Bell will donate 5¢ more to mental health initiatives.

*By a Bell, Bell MTS or Bell Aliant mobile or home phone customer. Regular service charges apply.

Text messages

For every text message sent by a Bell wireless customer, Bell will donate 5¢ more towards mental health initiatives.*

*This event excludes iMessages. Regular charges apply.

Facebook

Each time you use the Bell Let’s Talk Facebook frame or watch our official video, Bell will donate 5¢ more towards mental health initiatives.

Instagram

Each time you watch our official video on Instagram, Bell will donate 5¢ more towards mental health initiatives.

Each time you watch our official video on LinkedIn, Bell will donate 5¢ more towards mental health initiatives.

Each time you watch our official video on Pinterest, Bell will donate 5¢ more towards mental health initiatives.

Snapchat

Each time you use the Bell Let’s Talk Snapchat lens or watch our official video, Bell will donate 5¢ more towards mental health initiatives.

TikTok

Each time you upload a video using #BellLetsTalk or watch our official video, Bell will donate 5¢ more towards mental health initiatives.

Twitter

Each time you tweet and retweet using #BellLetsTalk or watch our official video, Bell will donate 5¢ more towards mental health initiatives.

YouTube

CUPE BC UPDATES GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS & RESOURCES

January 21, 2022 by bernicemway

*IMPORTANT UPDATE* Disaster Relief Fund Deadline | Jan 31

In late Fall 2021, CUPE BC created a Disaster Relief Fund to support CUPE members impacted by mass flooding and mudslides around the province. At this time, CUPE BC invites Locals and District Councils to submit the attached application form to CUPE BC (accounting@cupe.bc.ca) by January 31 on behalf of any CUPE members experiencing continued hardship due to the aforementioned events, as any funds remaining after the January 31 deadline will be donated to a charity selected by the CUPE BC Executive Board.

Access BC | Free Prescription Contraception Campaign | Feb 2022

Access BC is calling for allies to ramp up their push for free prescription contraception in the province, in advance of February 1, 2022. This will be the launch of the final phase of their letter-writing campaign, to bring as much pressure as possible on the government, close to the release of the budget, to fulfil their promise to implement this policy at some point during their term. Click here to support.

Anti-Racism Data Collection Survey and Town Hall Sessions | Jan 2022

Locals are encouraged to inform racialized workers in their membership about the Anti-Racism Data Collection Survey running until January 31, 2022, from the Ministry of Multiculturalism and CUPE BC’s Racialized Workers Committee as part of the Anti-Racism Data Legislation Engagement Initiative. In conjunction, the final town hall sessions are happening today via Zoom to strategize further around the initiative, and BIPOC members, workers and their families are encouraged to join via links below:

January 21, 2022: 12:00-2:00pm (Pacific)
January 21, 2022: 6:00-8:00pm (Pacific)

SAVE THE DATE | CoDev International Solidary Meeting | Feb 26

On Saturday, February 26, CoDev will host an exciting and unique event, where participants can meet with Education, Public Administration, and Healthcare workers from Cuba as they discuss the power of International Solidarity. Stand by for updates.

Addressing Anti-Black Racism in the Workplace | CCDI Webinar | Feb 3

CCDI sits down with thought leaders to discuss what organizations can do continue the hard work of dismantling anti-Black racism and continue to build concrete ways to sustain these efforts. The webinar qualifies for continued professional development credit.

Date: February 3, 2022. Time: 1:00-2:00pm (Eastern). Fee: $39. Host: Anne-Marie Pham

More information: Contact ccip.certification@ccdi.ca

Anti Racism Initiative – Survey for all members to complete

January 19, 2022 by bernicemway

I’m sending this email to CUPE members on behalf of CUPE BC’s Racialized Workers Committee to let you know about an important initiative the committee is working on in partnership with the provincial government–and to ask you to help.

Anti-Racism Initiatives

CUPE BC is proud to be a community partner on an anti-racism initiative with the Ministry of Multiculturalism. The CUPE BC Racialized Workers Committee is engaging with racialized communities about Anti-Racism Data Legislation. This is one way the B.C. Government is addressing systemic racism and discrimination to make B.C. a more equitable place to live.

CUPE BC and the Racialized Workers Committee invite all Black, Indigenous, and Racialized workers and their families to please complete our survey to share how you prefer to identify, your previous experience(s) with government agencies and collection of data, how you think race-based data can be used to improve equity, and how you think this data can be collected in a safe and respectful way.

What is Anti-Racism Data Legislation?

People have different experiences in society based on their race. Information about race is one way to learn about people’s differing experiences, in order to serve racialized people better in policy and programming.

Anti-racism data legislation aims to reduce systemic racism by making sure that services are delivered more equitably and to allow communities to better advocate for themselves. It is also very important that this data is collected safely and anonymously. All names and identifying information are removed when data is used to understand issues like systemic racism.

Anti-Racism Data Legislation is one of a number of initiatives that the B.C. Government is working on to address systemic racism and discrimination and make public services more equitable and inclusive.

Please take our survey here.

On behalf of the Committee, thank you.

In soildarity,

Karen Ranalletta
http://www.cupe.bc.ca/

Local 1936 Monthly Membership Meeting – January 19 @ 6:30

January 14, 2022 by bernicemway

To all of our Union Members (remember to register early so your name can go into draw)

You are invited to a Zoom meeting.
When: Jan 19, 2022 06:30 PM Vancouver

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

CUPE BC Racialized Workers Committee partners with provincial government to address systemic racism

January 14, 2022January 14, 2022 by bernicemway

BURNABY—CUPE BC’s Racialized Workers Committee is partnering with the B.C. provincial government to learn more about race-based data collection and is inviting members of the BIPOC community in B.C. to participate in an upcoming virtual townhall.

Are you from the BIPOC Community in British Columbia?

Do you have feedback for the B.C. government about race-based data collection?

Help the government learn why race-based data collection is important!

In partnership with the provincial government, the CUPE BC Racialized Workers Committee would like to invite you to participate in a virtual town hall discussion.

Systemic racism exists everywhere, including in government policies and programs. This is why the government needs better information to ensure that BIPOC have equitable access to services. We invite you to join a virtual town hall discussion about legislation changes to improve racial equity.

The provincial government needs your help as a racialized person to share how you prefer to identify, your previous experience(s) with government agencies and collection of data and how you think race-based data can be used to improve racial equity.

Participants must be residents of B.C. We welcome all BIPOC workers and their families.

Please join your preferred townhall session using one of the following links. To inform the sessions we will be using the questions contained in this survey. If you prefer to answer the survey on your own without joining a session, please feel free to do so!

Please note that we will be offering honoraria to those who participate in zoom sessions. Those who complete the survey on their own can enter a draw for a gift certificate.

The survey will be open until January 31st, 2022.

Jan 14th | 6:30pm-8:00pm

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83724759544

Meeting ID: 837 2475 9544

Jan 15th | 10:00am-12:00pm

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82240472640

Meeting ID: 822 4047 2640

Jan 15th | 1:00pm-3:00pm

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83881586816

Meeting ID: 838 8158 6816

COPE 491

Seasons Greetings from the Table Officers

December 29, 2021 by bernicemway

CUPE Local 1936 would like to send Season Greetings to all of the members in Community Social Services of the Lower Mainland.
We wish you a holiday filled with fun and laughter or a time to relax and rejuvenate.
Although the pandemic is still a main focus of the year we reflect on the courage and resiliencee in dealing with the challenges of staying safe and healthy in your workplace.
We belief that Community Social Services Workers are amazing advocates for their clients and work diligently to ensure that they are serviced with care and compassion.
As Table Officer we want to express our gratitude for the work that you provide, the coming together at meetings to make our union stronger and working together for the well being and safety of all the members.
We are proud to represent our members, and wish you all a festive and healthy holiday season and a happy New Year!

Sheryl Burns, Lee Ann Lalli, Bernice Way

The BCFED needs your help. We are looking for donations to make this year’s Christmas dinner a success:

December 7, 2021 by bernicemway

The BCFED needs your help. We are looking for donations to make this year’s Christmas dinner a success:

unwrapped toys & teenager gifts
non-perishable foods
gift cards & passes

The 2021 Labour Christmas Dinner is being adapted in response to the pandemic and capacity constraints. Food hampers and toys will be offered, but there will not be any catered food, nor a clothing drive and the event will take place in Vancouver only.

Volunteers are need in Vancouver at the Maritime Labour Centre, 1880 Triumph Street on:

December 20 – unloading trucks with food and toys @ 9:00 am
December 21 – filling hampers, setting up the hall @ 9:00 am
December 22 – filling hampers, sorting toys @ 9:00 am
December 23 – volunteer at the Vancouver location starting at 3:00 pm

Please send your name and contact information to labourxmasdinner@hotmail.ca advising if you are available to volunteer on the above days in Vancouver. The BCFED vaccination policy applies for all volunteers. You must show BC vaccine passport & ID at start of shift. Mask wearing is required throughout and social distancing maintained wherever possible. Hand disinfectant will be provided.

Current Disputes

December 7, 2021 by bernicemway

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 Local 1-1937 & Strathcona Gardens Recreation Complex
Major Issues: Fair & Equitable Contract
Commenced: November 22, 2021

IAM 250 vs IG Machine & Fibre Ltd. (Ashcroft, BC)
Major Issues: Cost of employer mandated Health & Welfare Plan and Wages
Commenced: July 12, 2021

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

UNITEHERE! Local 40 vs Hilton Metrotown
Major Issues: Refusal to extend recall rights, Concessions
Commenced: February 12, 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

SETTLED

MoveUP vs BCGEU

BOYCOTTS & HOT EDICTS

Boycott: Pacific Gateway Hotel, Richmond, BC – UNITEHERE! Local 40/BCFED

Boycott: Hilton Metrotown, Burnaby, BC – UNITEHERE! Local 40/BCFED

Paid sick leave for employees who don’t receive sick pay (Part time, Casuals)

December 1, 2021 by bernicemway

Effective January 1, 2022, the vast majority of workers in B.C. no longer have to choose between going to work sick or losing wages, as B.C.’s first-ever permanent paid sick leave comes into effect with 5 paid sick days each year. Both full- and part-time employees are eligible for this benefit.

I’m a worker

Effective January 1, 2022, you can take up to 5 days of paid leave per year for any personal illness or injury. Your employer may request reasonably sufficient proof of illness.

This entitlement is in addition to the 3 days of unpaid sick leave currently provided by the Employment Standards Act.

You must have worked with your employer for at least 90 days to be eligible for the paid sick days.

Eligibility

The paid sick leave entitlement applies to all employees covered by the Employment Standards Act (ESA), including part-time, temporary or casual employees.

The ESA doesn’t cover certain types of employees, including:

Federally-regulated sectors
Self-employed workers or independent contractors
Employees in professions and occupations excluded from the ESA

Find out if employment standards apply to you.