CUPE 1936

CUPE National President Mark Hancock talks to members about strength and solidarity during these difficult times.

Click here to see the video.

We are living in unprecedented times due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

We know you are all being inundated with multiple questions from worried and confused members and co-workers.  We understand that it is difficult to know how to respond at times or what to say.  This is normal given the situation we all find ourselves in.

CUPE Local 1936 Table Officers would like to thank each and every one of you for everything you are doing during this particularly trying time.  We want to thank you for going above and beyond in your efforts to respond to members concerns and allaying their anxiety.

We want to reassure you that we are doing everything in our power to access information and find clarity in support of each and every one of our members.  We are in regular discussions with the majority of your employers and we are also in regular discussions with the Community Social Services Bargaining Association as well as the Community Social Services Employer’s Association.

We commit to providing updates as often as possible.  These updates and information will be posted on our website in order to assist you in responding to your members and co-workers.

Thank you to each and every one of you.  We know from conversations with you that you are doing an outstanding job in reassuring CUPE Local 1936 members.  We couldn’t get through these unprecedented times without your hard work on the front-lines, as shop stewards and as workers.

In solidarity,

Sheryl Burns
Lee-Ann Lalli
Bernice Way

Your Local Executive would like to remind you that, as ordered by the Provincial Health Officer, employers are NOT ALLOWED to ask for doctor’s notes to substantiate an illness during this time.

This will remain the case until either the state of emergency has been recinded, or until Dr. Henry orders something contrary to her current order.

You can read a notice about it by clicking here.

CUPE Local 1936 wishes to send a message of solidarity to all our members, including members of Chinese descent, who have experienced racism as a result of people’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

No one is to blame for this pandemic.  We are all in this together and it’s important that we support one another during this unprecedented health crisis.  Racism is not an acceptable response to the COVID-10 epidemic.  If you experience a racist attack due to the coronavirus epidemic, know that CUPE BC stands with you.  If you witness a racist attack, please let the victim of this attack know you do not support racism in any way and that you support them.

Now is the time to be united. Let’s stand together.  If we support one another, we can get through this.

CUPE National has distributed a fact sheet outlining support for workers during the pandemic, which outlines the various type of support available and, in some cases, how to access it.  Please see this information by clicking here.

The local is utilizing all safe precaution measures during this time and will be cancelling our membership meetings till further notice. Please see the bulletin below for further information.
Stay safe and healthy.

Please see this important letter to all members who are covered by one of the Provincial CSS agreements by clicking here.

Dear CUPE Local 1936 Members;

As you are all aware, we are navigating unchartered waters due to the COVID-19 epidemic.

During this time, we will attempt to keep you updated as regularly as possible, as this is a rapidly evolving situation.

We urge you to be vigilant and to take extra precautions in order to keep yourselves and those around you healthy.  If Canadians and British Columbians are to be successful in our efforts to “flatten the curve” and slow the onslaught of COVID-19, we must work together.

I would encourage you to help one another whenever possible.  Assist those who are elderly and who may have compromised immune systems by offering to pick up groceries or medication for them.

The provincial and federal governments are both discouraging any non-essential travel at this time, particularly travel outside of Canada.  For those who choose to, or who absolutely must, travel outside of Canada, please follow the government’s directive to self-isolate for 14 days.  This will help keep you and others safe.

The government has now banned gatherings of more than 50 people.  Please adhere to this directive.  It is for your protection and the protection of your loved ones.

CUPE Local 1936 is concerned for your well-being, physically and financially during this difficult time.  We are reaching out to Employers to sign Letters of Understanding regarding the COVID-19 crisis.  Our goal is to ensure that those who must self-isolate will receive wage protection.

An emergency joint meeting between the Employer’s Association and the Community Social Services Bargaining Association has been scheduled for tomorrow morning.  If there are further updates after this meeting, you will be notified via the CUPE Local 1936 website.

In the meantime, please remain alert for updates and information on COVID-19 from BC’s Provincial Health Officer by clicking here and the on the BC Centre for Disease Control website.

Please contact CUPE Local 1936 should you have any concerns relating to the COVID-19 crisis and your employment.  Your Local Officers are as follows:

Sheryl Burns, President
sburns00@hotmail.com
778-231-4241

Lee-Ann Lalli, Vice-President and Grievance Officer
leeannlalli@live.ca
778-223-1554

Bernice Way, Secretary-Treasurer, Education and Grievance Officer
bway1936@gmail.com
604-781-6864

Please take care of yourselves.

Sheryl Burns
President
CUPE Local 1936

March 13^th, 2020

To all CUPE Local 1936 Members,

Given the rapidly evolving situation  COVID-19 and with an abundance of caution, Local 1936 Table Officers have made the difficult decision to cancel the March 18^th, 2020 membership meeting.

The provincial government has asked British Columbia citizens to take an active role in protecting ourselves from a COVID-19 epidemic in the hopes that proactive efforts by the citizens of British Columbia will help “flatten the curve” and slow the progress of this disease throughout our province.

The government of BC has banned all gatherings of 250 or more and has recommended against all non-essential travel outside of Canada, including the United States.  Those who chose to travel outside of Canada despite this advisory will be required to self-quarantine for a period of 14 days.

We ask that members honor these requests by the provincial government as they are doing everything in their power to protect all British Columbians from a COVID-19 epidemic.

Please take good care of yourselves and remember-wash your hands frequently.

In solidarity,

Sheryl Burns
President, CUPE Local 1936

CUPE 1936 members working for Little Mountain Neighbourhood House Society (LMNHS) have ratified a new four-year collective agreement, signing off on a tentative deal reached two weeks ago.

The agreement, ratified on March 4, includes incremental wage increases similar to other settlements reached across the province. There is also a significant increase in access to paramedical services, and other language improvements such as personal emergency days and earlier access to increased vacation.

To see the full article, please click here.