AccessAbility Week – starting May 30th

National AccessAbility Week takes place every year starting on the last Sunday of May. It is a time to celebrate the contributions of Canadians with disabilities and to promote efforts to increase accessibility and inclusion in Canada.

Accessibility is a human right. Everyone should be able to participate in our society, barrier-free.

As trade unionists, we know that our strength depends on the active participation of our members. We must ensure that our union is accessible for all members, including persons with disabilities.

CUPE recognizes that accessibility requires a proactive approach. We are committed to the principle of accessibility, and we work hard to identify, remove and prevent barriers to inclusion. This means making sure the needs of members with disabilities – whether visible or invisible, physical or cognitive, permanent, temporary or episodic – are front and centre.

To mark this year’s National AccessAbility Week, CUPE is launching a new accessibility tool for locals. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how we interact and conduct meetings. Use our new Virtual Meeting Accessibility Checklist to help your local take an accessibility-first approach to virtual meetings and create online spaces that are more inclusive and accessible.

 

Celebrating Asian Heritage Month and BC Anti-Racism Awareness Week – May 26, 2021 6:00 pm

May 26 Event-Ga Gi-ANG – A participatory Conversation with Luna Aixin on Anti-Asian Racism

You are invited to celebrate the Asian Heritage month and the Anti-Racism Awareness Week in BC.  He have invited Luna Aixin to have this participatory conversation around Anti-Asian Racism.

*Note about Ga Gi Nang. It translates to the phrase Own People. It comes from Luna’s Teochew ancestors and is a well-known trait of Teochews. When you meet another Teochew, we treat you as our “Own Peopleregardless of how long we are in the presence of each other.

The event will be hosted via zoom and requires registration.  Please use this link  https://tinyurl.com/dcsuk8jj

 

Speakers at the 2021 CUPE BC Convention

Top row: Sheryl Burns (President)  advocating for Community Social Services at the mic and Deea Baiey (Community Services) speaking about Diversity.

Second row: CUPE BC executives – Paul Faoro (CUPE BC President) ; General Vice Presidents – Karen Ranalletta, Sheryl Burns, Nicole Edmondson, Michelle Waite

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/