Province steps up support for community social services sector

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Organizations and agencies in B.C.’s community social services sector will be better able to build capacity, support recruitment and retention, and improve occupational health and safety training programs for staff, thanks to $10 million in one-time funding from the Province.

“Over the past year, we have built a strong relationship with the community social services sector, which proved invaluable during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and enabled us to address emerging issues quickly,” said Shane Simpson, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. “Community social services sector agencies provide many services that British Columbians count on, and this new funding will help agencies meet the challenges of recruiting, training and retaining a skilled workforce.”

The funding will support training programs to agencies and organizations across the sector, including training and development for Indigenous agencies and Indigenous staff, foundational training and development opportunities, and occupational health and safety.

“Community-living home-share providers, and the agencies that support them, help people with developmental disabilities live more freely and independently,” said Brenda Gillette, CEO of BC CEO Network. “This funding will help us develop and deliver new readily accessible training that will ensure this foundational support is sustainable and available for the many people who rely on this option while simultaneously enhancing community living throughout B.C.”

B.C.’s community social services organizations, in partnership with government and other public sector agencies, provide vital services to some of the province’s most vulnerable people, including:

  • people with physical, mental and developmental disabilities;
  • Indigenous individuals and communities;
  • at-risk youth;
  • families and children with special needs; and
  • women experiencing family violence.

“We know that violence can have devastating impacts on people and their families. Victims of violence deserve compassionate and comprehensive care,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “This funding for organizations serving victims of crime will help ensure that staff have the needed skill and knowledge to deliver these services in their communities.”

Quick Facts:

  • More than 80% of provincially contracted social services are provided by non-profit agencies.
  • There are more than 2,000 agencies in the community social service sector that provide support to individuals and their families throughout B.C.
  • More than 46,000 British Columbians work full or part time in the social services sector.

Learn More:

Learn more about the social services sector roundtable: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/about-the-bc-government/initiatives/social-services-sector-roundtable

Pandemic Pay Update

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August 17, 2020

Dear CUPE Local 1936 community social services members:

RE:       Pandemic Pay Update

For those members eligible for the jointly Federal and Provincial funded Pandemic Pay Premium, you should see it as a lump sum payment near the end of this month or possibly early September.   Employers and Government are looking to make the process as streamlined as possible, which is why the payment has not yet been made.  Many agencies need to receive the funding before they are able to pass it on to eligible employees.

Given the approval of the CUPE National Secretary Treasurer’s Office, we are pleased to inform you that Union Dues will NOT be taken off the $4/hr pandemic pay premium that is jointly funded by the Federal and Provincial Governments.

If you would like more information on the pandemic pay fund, it can be found here: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/temporary-pandemic-pay

In solidarity from your Local 1936 Executive,

Sheryl Burns, President

Lee-Ann Lalli, Vice-President/Grievance Officer

Bernice Way, Secretary-Treasurer/Education and Grievance Officer

 

Questions about Pandemic Pay

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There has been a few inquiries about when members that are qualified for pandemic pay will be receiving it. Below is the link to the government website that will answer your question. Please feel free to call or email the local if you have any other question.

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/temporary-pandemic-pay#:~:text=B.C.%20COVID-19%20Temporary%20Pandemic%20Pay%20Temporary%20pandemic%20pay,delivering%20in-person%2C%20front-line%20care%20during%20the%20COVID-19%20pandemic.

Federal government action needed to save the PNE

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VANCOUVER – A century old tradition of summer in the lower mainland of BC is being threatened by a loophole in the federal government’s response to the COVID-19 public health crisis. The largest union representing workers at the Pacific National Exhibition says long-term survival of the Exhibition – and the jobs of over 4,200 people – are at risk due to its exclusion from federal emergency financial aid.

“While many Canadians and businesses have had support to weather the COVID-19 pandemic, the Pacific National Exhibition is being left behind,” says Andrew Ledger, president of CUPE 1004, representing over 4,000 PNE workers. “Without immediate action from the federal government we may lose this important public institution, along with over $200 million of economic benefits to the region and the jobs of 4,200 people it employs every year.”

While the PNE is owned by the City of Vancouver, it operates as a year-round not-for-profit organization with no government funding. But municipal governments are excluded from accessing the Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy, the federal government program subsidizing partial wages for businesses affected by COVID-19. While financially independent, the PNE affiliation with the City has meant it cannot access the CEWS. Without this assistance, and revenue losses due to COVID-19, the long-term survival of the PNE is threatened.

“Even with cost cutting measures, the Exhibition is staring down at project debt of up to $19 million by the end of the year. For a non-profit organization, this could be a fatal blow,” says Ledger. “We desperately need the CEWS or some other support from the federal government to save the PNE.”

In June, CUPE 1004 and the other unions representing PNE workers wrote to Finance Minister Bill Morneau urging federal government action, outlining the historic and ongoing significance of the PNE, the economic benefits it provides to the region, and the impact COVID-19 is having on the over 4,200 people the PNE employs every year. To date, there has been no response from the federal government.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a serious toll on CUPE members at the PNE, and even through these tough times they are still dedicated to this 110-year-old institution,” says Ledger. “But we need the federal government to step in, or there won’t be a PNE for CUPE members to help rebuild.”

In an effort to mount pressure for federal government action, CUPE 1004 has launched a Save the PNE campaign. The union is urging British Columbians to visit SavethePNE.ca, where they can send messages to Finance Minister Morneau calling for federal action.

COPE 491

Your safety matters. Have a say.

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SafeCare BC AL IL Poster for Survey – July 29, 2020

COVID-19 has made talking about safety more important than ever. Did you know that since 2015, workplace injuries have been going up in the Independent Living and Assisted Living sectors? Right now, Independent Living and Assisted Living injury rates are higher than that of home and community care.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. Help us help you. For the past six years, SafeCare BC has worked with the long-term care and home and community care sectors to bring injury rates down. Tell us what’s important to you – what health and safety resources you need, how COVID-19 has impacted your work, and how you want to access safety resources. With proposed changes to the Workers Compensation Act under discussion and COVID-19 an ongoing challenge, there’s no better time to talk about safety.

Complete this brief, 15-minute survey to share your thoughts: www.safecarebc.ca/surveyforyou . The survey will be open until August 14, and you’ll have a chance to win a $50 gift card.

Please also share the survey with your coworkers (we’ve attached a handy poster that you can post). The more input we get, the better we’ll be able to understand the issues – and the more successful we’ll be in bringing injury rates down. Your safety matters – have a say.

 

Save the PNE

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Hello CUPE Metro Locals, 

 The Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) and its over 4,200 workers and CUPE members have been left out of Canada’s post-pandemic economic recovery plan.

Due to the PNE’s affiliation to the City of Vancouver it has been deemed ineligible for Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS).   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 4,200 CUPE 1004 members are in danger.

 The PNE might face a $52 million shortfall. This could mean closure or privatization for the PNE and Playland, and a serious negative impact on thousands of employees, many of them young workers in their first unionized job. 

 CUPE 1004 is launching a campaign to Save the PNE and fight for that work.

 Please visit www.SavethePNE.ca and send an email to urge our politicians to save the PNE and its 4,200 jobs. Please share with your union members, friends, family and neighbours and ask them to send their own messages. 

 CUPE 1004 thanks you for whatever solidarity you can provide for our fellow members at the PNE.  Together we can help save the PNE for future generations and help save the jobs of 4,200 workers.

Local 1936 Shop Steward Training

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July 21st, 2020

To CUPE Local 1936 Shop Stewards,

For those of you who are covered by the Provincial Community Living BC the General Services Collective Agreements there will be online virtual shop steward training provided via Zoom on:

Wednesday, October 7th

10 am to 2:30 pm (break from 12 to 12:30 pm)

This training will include agenda items such as:

  • Know your Collective Agreement
  • Representing members in meetings with your employer
  • Your rights as a Shop Steward
  • How to file a Grievance, and others.

If you are interested in attending this training, please email our CUPE Local 1936 Secretary-Treasurer, Education and Grievance Officer, Bernice Way at bway1936@gmail.com.  Bernice will register you for this workshop. We will email the Zoom link and sign-in details prior to the workshop.

If this workshop is happening on your regular work day, the Local will provide you with a full-day of Union Leave.  You can find the Union Leave form by going to the CUPE Local 1936 website at www.1936.cupe.ca.  On the home page, click on “Resources” and then click on “Forms”. You will see the Union Form there.  Please fill this form out and email it to Bernice Way with the fax number of your Human Resources Department. We will sign the form and send it to the Human Resources Department.  This will enable your Employer to bill us for your wages due to your attendance of this workshop on October 7th.

Should you have any questions regarding this Shop Steward Training or with respect to the Union Leave process, please do not hesitate to contact Bernice Way at her email above.

We hope this note finds you all doing well in these challenging and unique times.

In solidarity,

Sheryl Burns, President

Lee-Ann Lalli, Vice-President and Grievance Officer

Bernice Way, Secretary-Treasurer, Education and Grievance Officer

 

Membership Zoom Meeting, tonight, June 17th @ 6:30 pm

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CUPE 1936 is  inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: CUPE 1936 Zoom Meeting
Time: Jun 17, 2020 06:30 PM Vancouver

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6343191741?pwd=c3dGRlN6NzNSM1ZLOU01NXU0dzNoUT09

Meeting ID: 634 319 1741
Password: cupe1936
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