Your CUPE BC Convention 1936 Delegates

Here we are!  A picture of the 9 delegates (online) that are working hard to pass resolutions, and speaking for the betterment of the local and your union.  From top to bottom, left to right:  Sheryl Burns (President), Valeria Mancilla (Collingwood), Thais Pimentel Cabral (WJS), Bernice Way (Sec/Trea), Alexandra Velo Barnet (Wish), Vicky Gerlings (SASC), Lee Ann Lalli (Vice President), Deea Bailey (Community), Tanja Giljevic (NSDRC)

Racism Posters

One of our agency, Langley Community Services Society, wanted to share these posters on racism from one of the projects that they are involved with.  Please post and share these posters.  Powerful messages that everyone should see.

Anti- Racism Reminder #1 

Anti-Racism Reminder #2  

Anti-Racism Reminder #3   

Anti-Racism Reminder #4 (1)

Anti-Racism Reminder #5

Anti -Racism Reminder #6 (1)

Anti-Racism Reminder #7

Anti-Racism Reminder #8

For more information on Anti-Racism please go to antiracist.gov.bc.ca

Fundraiser for Big Brothers/ Big Sisters through FVDLC

Purchase your Music Bingo Tickets For Saturday May 15 @ 8pm ( Music Bingo Room Opens 7:30pm ) with all proceeds going to Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the Fraser Valley 

Tickets can be purchased here :    https://online.musicbingo.com/shop

Prize #1: Union Swag, $50.00 Liquor Store Gift Card  ( 80.00 Value )

Prize #2: $25.00 Cinamen Gift Card ,$25.00 Golden Ears Cheese Works Gift Card ,Union Swag / Framed Print of Whales

( 100.00 Value )

Prize # 3:  Wine Gift Box w/ 1 bottle of wine and $75.00 to Glass House Winery in Langley ( 105.00 Value )

Prize #4: Spa Gift Card $75.00 + Spa Accessories ie  Epson salts and nail polish ( 85.00 Value )

Prize #5: $50.00 Liquor Store Gift Card ,$25.00 Traceycakes Gift Card ,  ( 75.00 Value )

Prize # 6: $50.00 Restaurant + Growler + Fill   ( 80.00 Value )

 

Dear friends,

I wanted to let you know about the plans for this year’s commemoration of the National Day of Mourning on Wednesday, April 28.

As you know, the National Day of Mourning honours the memory of workers who have been killed, injured, or suffered illness as a result of their work. This is one of the most sacred days on our calendar.

It causes all of us real pain to know we can’t gather in person for the second year as we continue to deal with the pandemic. In fact, we are now fighting the most virulent wave of COVID 19 – which is itself a reminder of the dangers facing working people. But this date is too important for us to allow it to go unmarked.

So once again we are co-sponsoring the Day of Mourning along with the WCB, the Business Council of BC and the Vancouver and District Labour Council.

This year, instead of a face-to-face event, we will be observing the day with a virtual ceremony. It begins at 10:30 am on Wednesday, April 28, 2021.

Please join us then at https://DayOfMourning.bc.ca.

And encourage friends, colleagues and members to come too. We may be separated by this pandemic, but we can still be together in grief, condolence and solidarity. A note that we ask that no wreaths be laid in the plaza.

We’ll mourn the dead and fight for the living. That means we recommit to our efforts to protect the safety and well-being of working people by:

Improving workplace health and safety;
Rigorously enforcing occupational health and safety regulations – and holding those who violate them to account;
Preserving the dignity of the thousands of workers who suffer injury or illness; and
Ensuring full compensation to those who have been hurt at work.
Together, we’ll do all we can to reach the goal I know you and I share: a province where every worker can go home safe and healthy at the end of every workday.

In solidarity,

W. LAIRD CRONK SUSSANNE SKIDMORE
President Secretary-Treasurer

BC Federation of Labour | 200-5118 Joyce Street | Vancouver BC V5R 4H1
The BC Federation of Labour is located on unceded xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam),
səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) territories.

This year, instead of a face-to-face event, we will be observing the day with a virtual ceremony. It begins at 10:30 am on Wednesday, April 28, 2021.

Please join us then at https://DayOfMourning.bc.ca.

And encourage friends, colleagues and members to come too. We may be separated by this pandemic, but we can still be together in grief, condolence and solidarity. A note that we ask that no wreaths be laid in the plaza.

We’ll mourn the dead and fight for the living. That means we recommit to our efforts to protect the safety and well-being of working people by:

  • Improving workplace health and safety;
  • Rigorously enforcing occupational health and safety regulations – and holding those who violate them to account;
  • Preserving the dignity of the thousands of workers who suffer injury or illness; and
  • Ensuring full compensation to those who have been hurt at work.

Together, we’ll do all we can to reach the goal I know you and I share: a province where every worker can go home safe and healthy at the end of every workday.

In solidarity,

  1. LAIRD CRONK             SUSSANNE SKIDMORE
    President                      Secretary-Treasurer

BC Federation of Labour 200-5118 Joyce Street | Vancouver BC  V5R 4H1
The BC Federation of Labour is located on unceded xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam),
səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) territories.

BC Gov News – New mental health resources for sectors hit hard by pandemic

https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021MMHA0015-000644

Employers and employees throughout B.C. who work in the tourism, hospitality and community social services sectors now have access to vital mental health resources with the creation of a digital resource hub.

The online hub offers a range of tools to help address common workplace concerns, such as bullying, harassment, COVID-19 exposure, coping with stress and more.

“The pandemic has had a devastating impact on people working in tourism, hospitality and social services,” said Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “I’m grateful to workplace leaders stepping up to promote positive mental health for their employees. This will have a lasting impact on people in the months and years ahead.”

The new hub provides workshops, webinars and information to help employees manage stress and build resiliency. It also provides tangible steps for workers at all levels to improve their overall mental health, as well as navigation support to connect to other mental health services, including counselling and peer support. To access the hub, visit: www.workmentalhealthbc.ca

In May 2021, the hub will expand to include a made-in-B.C. training and coaching platform that will provide managers and leaders in these sectors with personalized guidance to help make meaningful and lasting change at work. Participants will gain knowledge and practical tools, apply learning and strengthen peer connections to help make continuous improvements that support the long-term well-being of their employees.

The new hub is being developed in partnership with the BC Division of the Canadian Mental Health Association and health and safety associations, such as go2HR.

The new hub will augment existing mental health supports the government deployed early on in the pandemic for workers in the long-term care and continuing-care sector, including the Care for Caregivers site and Care to Speak peer support service. Both services received major uptake from health-care workers throughout the province. The hub builds on this success and provides more workplace sectors with the mental health supports they need.

As part of B.C.’s $1.5-billion economic recovery plan, $2 million was provided for the development of the online hub and soon-to-be launched coaching and training platform for the tourism and hospitality sectors. The Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction contributed an additional $1 million to expand the scope to include the community social services sector.

Improving workplace mental health is an integral part of the government’s plan to build a comprehensive system of mental health and addictions care British Columbians deserve, as outlined in A Pathway to Hope, B.C.’s roadmap for making mental health and addictions care better for people in British Columbia.

Learn More:

StrongerBC: BC’s Economic Recovery Plan: https://strongerbc.gov.bc.ca/

Free and low-cost mental health supports for British Columbians during COVID-19: http://www.gov.bc.ca/covid19mentalhealthsupports

A Pathway to Hope: https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/BCMentalHealthRoadmap_2019.pdf

Care for Caregivers – mental health support for health-care providers: https://www.careforcaregivers.ca/

Care to Speak – peer support for B.C. health-care workers: https://www.careforcaregivers.ca/caretospeak/

For emotional support, information and resources specific to mental health available 24-7, call 310Mental Health Support toll-free (no need to dial an area code): 310-6789

StopOverdose BC – resources and information related to B.C.’s overdose crisis: https://www.stopoverdose.gov.bc.ca/

April 21st , 2021 @ 6:30 Local Membership Meeting

Join us for out monthly membership meeting. There will be new business, reports, and door prizes if you register before Monday , April 19th.

You are invited to a Zoom meeting.
When: Apr 21, 2021 06:30 PM Vancouver

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZElfu-hrj8uH9xYmPLh7ZO2RGdJ7q7NnAL3

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

International Day of Pink

Canada’s unions are marking Pink Shirt Day by calling on the federal government to ratify ILO Convention 190, a global convention to end all violence and harassment at work, including gender-based violence.

Although Canada adopted Convention 190 in 2019, the federal government has yet to ratify the convention, which would turn the global treaty into law.

Pink Shirt Day is recognized across Canada and around the world as a day to recommit ourselves to challenging bullying and harassment in our schools, communities, and in our workplaces. This year, the focus of Pink Shirt Day is about working together and treating everyone with dignity and respect as we all navigate the unprecedented realities of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“There is no place for bullying and harassment in our unions, workplaces, or in our communities. This includes homophobic and transphobic bullying,” said Larry Rousseau, CLC Executive Vice-President. “COVID-19 has forced many workplaces to become virtual, exacerbating existing concerns around online violence and harassment.”

A recent study by Statistics Canada on the Experiences of Discrimination during the COVID-19 Pandemic found that three in ten respondents reported harassment in the workplace, while almost a third of all respondents reported experiences of online harassment.

In addition, the same study found that 68% of gender diverse respondents reported experiences of harassment online, while half of all Black and South Asian respondents experienced discrimination in public spaces, such as retail, restaurants and banks.

Workers experiencing harassment – including transphobic and homophobic bullying – whether virtual or in person, may feel increased pressure not to report due to the economic insecurities felt throughout this pandemic.

“It’s past time for our government to take a stance against violence and harassment at work,” said Rousseau. “Canada must join other countries around the world by ratifying this convention and solidifying our government’s commitment to the right to a workplace free of violence and harassment for all.”

Canada’s unions have long organized and fought for anti-harassment policies and awareness initiatives at work that ensure safer workplaces for everyone. Even in the midst of a pandemic, unions are leading the way in advocating for every worker’s right to safety in the workplace. This includes the recent launch of a national survey on harassment and work in Canada and the creation of a new Workers in Transition handbook.

Pink Shirt Day started as an initiative in a small town Nova Scotia school in 2007, to address homophobia and transphobia. Since then, it has grown into a global celebration of all identities and includes participants from all over the globe. Learn more about the origins of Pink Shirt Day here.

To show your virtual support, upload a photo of yourself, your workplace or your community with the hashtags #PinkShirtDay and #LiftEachOtherUp. Be sure to include a message on anti-bullying to your social media platforms.

Save the PNE!

PNE

CUPE BC
I’m writing to ask you to help your fellow CUPE members in Local 1004 who work at the Pacific National Exhibition. The jobs of more than 4,200 workers are at risk!

Please take a moment to visit savethepne.ca and send an email to urge our leaders to save the PNE!

The PNE has had little to no support through the COVID-19 pandemic.

This means:

·  1,600 part-time workers not working

·  100 full-time staff laid off

·  the annual hire of 2,500 seasonal workers on hold

·  The jobs of 4,000 CUPE members are in danger

While there is hope we are nearing an end to the public health crisis, the PNE needs short-term, emergency financial relief to avoid financial ruin.

The PNE is a century-old tradition that has brought countless memories and enjoyment for generations. It also pumps $200 million into the region’s economy and local businesses every year. And it creates thousands of high-skilled jobs and youth employment.

All of this is at risk if governments don’t step up now.

Let’s make sure that the PNE is not left behind in post-pandemic recovery. Send a message to our leaders today. Tell them to Save the PNE!

Please share this message with your friends, family, neighbours and coworkers. Thank-you for your support.

In Solidarity,

Paul Faoro
http://www.cupe.bc.ca/