Earlier this year, Mayor Ken Sim and his ABC majority voted in a closed-door meeting to retract Vancouver’s commitment to paying a living wage.

Since then, the affordability crisis facing Vancouver residents has only intensified. The cost of essential goods continues to climb, placing a heavy burden on working families. It’s time for the city to get back on track with ensuring living wages for working people.

Join us for a Living Wage Townhall on February 26th. Hear from affected workers, a speaker from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, and Councillor Christine Boyle. Let’s speak up together and tell Vancouver City Council to do the right thing and recertify as a living wage employer for 2024.

DATE: Monday, February 26th
TIME: 7:30PM-9:00PM
PLACE: Maritime Labour Centre Auditorium, 1880 Triumph St. or via Zoom

This is a family-friendly event. All are welcome.

RSVP HERE

February 14 th
Memoriam
In Honor of

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People

Today, on February 14th, and everyday, CUPE Local 1936 would like to honor and acknowledge
the prevalence of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit people in
British Columbia and throughout Canada.
We join with our Indigenous friends and comrades as they mourn the children, siblings, parents
and other loved ones lost due to ongoing colonization, institutional racism and violence.
We call on elected officials at all levels of government to help prevent further tragedy as a
result of colonial violence through meaningful and sustained action.
In solidarity,
CUPE Local 1936 Table Officers
Sheryl Burns
Lee-Ann Lalli
Bernice Way
Valeria Mancilla

JOIN US  for our 1st meeting of this year.
Monthly Membership Meeting on
Wednesday, January 17th, 2024 @ 6:30 pm

STRIKES AND LOCKOUTS

Please respect the unions’ picket lines in the following disputes, and do not patronize these businesses until the dispute is settled.

UNITE HERE! Local 40 vs. Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel, Hilton Vancouver Airport Hotel, Marriott Vancouver Airport Hotel
Major Issues: Wages
Commenced: June 14, 2023

UNITE HERE Local 40 vs. Radisson Blu (formerly Pacific Gateway Hotel)
Major Issues: Recall Rights, Concessions
Commenced: May 3, 2021

SETTLED

HEU vs. Good Samaritan Canada

USW 1944 vs Rogers Communications

GVRDEU vs. Metro Vancouver Regional District (various)

TSSU vs. Simon Fraser University

USW 1-423 vs. Rockwool Inc. (Grand Forks, BC)

Boycott:
Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel, Hilton Vancouver Airport Hotel, Marriott Vancouver Airport Hotel – UNITE HERE Local 40/BCFED

Boycott:
SAS Group (Scandinavian Airlines System) – CLC

Boycott:
Radisson Blu (formerly Pacific Gateway Hotel), Richmond, BC – UNITE HERE Local 40/BCFED

Boycott:
H&R Block, Canadian Tire, Rogers, Wendy’s, Home Hardware, Sleep Country – ACTRA/CLC

28th Annual Labour Community Holiday Event

Surrey: December 21 — 5:00 pm –8:00 pm
Vancouver: December 23 — 5:00 pm –8:00 pm

Each year we come together to celebrate the holidays by sharing with those in need. Over 2,000 people and families take part in this annual tradition. We are excited to announce that this year we will be having a full turkey dinner, food hampers, clothing boutique and toys in two separate locations and evenings, hosted by the BC labour community.

These are the ways that you can help!

Organize in your workplace, neighbourhood, friends and family:

• TOY DRIVE, unwrapped gifts for children aged 0-18, also gift cards, movie passes,
• FOOD DRIVE, non-perishable items for food hampers
• CLOTHING DRIVE, clean, almost new clothing
• FINANCIAL DONATIONS- E-transfer to acctg@bcfed.ca

VOLUNTEER

Items can be picked up or dropped off. Please call Marisha 604-308-7474 or email at labourholidayevent@bcfed.ca.

We need volunteers for the following dates:

• Tuesday, December 19th from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm hamper stuffing, sorting toys and clothes at the Maritime Labour Centre
• Wednesday, December 20th from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm hamper stuffing, sorting toys and clothes at the Maritime Labour Centre
• Thursday, December 21st, set up at 1:00 pm, doors open at 5:00 pm – Aria Banquet Hall 12350 Pattullo Pl, Surrey
• Saturday, December 23rd set up at 4:00 pm, doors open at 5:00 pm – Maritime Labour Centre, 1880 Triumph St, Vancouver

None of this would happen without you!

Financial contributions are also critical to the success of this annual event. Many families count on us being there. That is why we’re making this special request for your generous financial donation. Together we can provide an important community service and celebrate the spirit of giving this holiday.

If you want to make a financial donation, we have two easy ways:

1. E-transfer to acctg@bcfed.ca, no password needed.
2. Cheque payable to:
   Labour Community Christmas Dinner
   c/o BC Federation of Labour
   Suite 110-4259 Canada Way, Burnaby BC V5E 1H3

City of Surrey | Accessibility and Transportation Engagement Call | Dec 8       Help enhance accessibility in Surrey by providing public feedback on the City’s draft Accessibility Action Plan with the goal of enhancing accessibility, removing barriers and creating a more inclusive community. The online survey is open until Dec 8, 2023.

CCPA | The Monitor print editions by donation           Those wanting print editions of Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives magazine The Monitor next year can sign up for 4 quarterly editions with a minimum annual donation of $35 to the CCPA. Digital editions are freely available online. More information on print copies here.

DEWC Peer Program | Donation Call | Nov-Dec 2023.      The DEWC is in the process of raising funds for their peer program in order to keep up with inflation and continue to empower the women in the DTES community with low-barrier employment opportunities and education. Every $5 donated to the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre supports a meal for a woman in need. Read this month’s spotlight on Skills Development Program volunteer Sam here

CCDI Consulting | DEI Education Calendar | Jan-Mar 2024          Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion Consulting group has published a series of instructor-led courses as well as e-learning workshops for individuals happening winter/spring 2024, with 3 certificates available: Foundations in IDEA, Antiracism Education, and Beyond IDEA Awareness.

Food Bank Challenge | CUPE Local 382.      CUPE BC and CUPE Local 382 have a challenge for you!  CUPE Local 382, in each of the last five years, has donated a “toonie” per member to their local food bank in Victoria.  CUPE BC has committed to match Local 382’s food bank donations this year. This year, CUPE Local 382 would like to extend this friendly challenge to ALL CUPE Locals in British Columbia and encourage each member to donate a “toonie” to a local food bank.  This opportunity to help communities across the Province will show the type of solidarity and strength that comes when working within a Union. Find a local food bank by visiting the Food Banks of BC website  

VPL Vancouver presents author Brandi Morin: On the Frontlines of Indigenous Land Defence, a streamed event on Dec 7, 2023. Register here and follow @bclibraries-present on crowdcast to get notifications on more author spotlights in 2024.

Dear CUPE members and Child Care leaders,

For those of you who I have not had the pleasure to meet yet, my name is Julia and I am a senior researcher at CUPE currently assigned to child care.

First of all, congratulations to all of you who attended National Convention in October and were able to pass Resolution 23 which affirms CUPE’s commitment to advocate for a Canda-wide Early Learning and Child Care system that is universal, accessible, affordable, high quality and culturally safe.

In that regard, I am writing today to share some information with you in preparation for November 30th, which is the national  day of action on child care and early learning organized by Child Care Now.

Below you will find a link to a web post published yesterday which invites CUPE members and locals to sign on to an open letter to government and to participate in actions across the country on November 30^th .

https://cupe.ca/cupe-joins-allies-push-progress-early-learning-and-child-care

CUPE joins allies to push for progress on early learning and child care At CUPE’s recent National Convention, delegates adopted a resolution calling for our union to collaborate with Child Care Now to make progress on creating a Canada-wide early learning and child care system that is universal and affordable. cupe.ca

We know many of you are already planning actions to mark the day – social media campaigns, rallies and more. Please let us know about what you have planned so that we can highlight and push out your actions through CUPE’s social media channels next week too.

And if you have not planned anything yet, please consider signing the open letter, suggesting that your local sign it too, and finding that polka-dotted piece of clothing in your closet for a selfie in support of child care services and child care workers! #DotsforSpots

You can find more information on the Day of Action on Child Care Now’s website:  https://childcarenow.ca/2023/11/10/get-ready-for-november-30th-the-day-of-action-for-elcc/

If you have any question or suggestions, do not hesitate to contact me and/or my communications colleague Christine (ccroteau@cupe.ca).

In solidarity,

Julia

ILWU 400: Save Our Sailors

The Port of Vancouver is abandoning tugboat workers.

ILWU Local 400 members have been working on tugboats at the Port of Vancouver for decades, some for generations. With their decades of experience, they know these waters better than anyone. But now, the Port of Vancouver is awarding contracts to the operator with the lowest rate—instead of the most experienced.

The Port is a federal agency and should not be run like a private business. The Port’s actions are creating a downward spiral in the tugboat industry, encouraging lower salaries and inferior benefits. This is leaving hardworking, experienced sailors struggling to put food on table in the most expensive city in Canada. It’s robbing them of the future they deserve.

We’re told the Port is good for Vancouver and Canada, but it’s sinking the futures of our tugboat workers and their families. These workers made the Port into what it is today. We have to fight back. The Port of Vancouver must change the way it awards contracts. All companies bidding to work in the Port of Vancouver must treat their workers fairly and ensure they are working under Local Industry Standards, so every worker can support their families and afford to live in their local community.We need to show those really in charge at the federal government that the Port is being mismanaged, and that interim president and CEO Victor Pang needs to change course.

Send a letter to your MP and Minister of Transport Pablo Rodriguez and demand they step up for tugboat workers.

Solidarity with UNITE HERE! Local 40 hotel workers

• Workers at the Sheraton Vancouver Airport have been on strike now for five months! The hotel’s management has been cited multiple times for breaching the labour code.
• Air Canada is still sending distressed passengers to the Sheraton’s neighbouring sister hotels: the Hilton Vancouver Airport and Marriott Vancouver Airport.
• Workers at the Radisson Blu YVR (formerly Pacific Gateway) have been on the picket line for nearly two and a half years — ever since the hotel used the pandemic as an excuse to fire 70% of their staff, mostly women and people of colour. And the employer has admitted to more than a dozen breaches of anti-scab legislation.

Take action below — and follow UNITE HERE! Local 40 on Facebook, Twitterand Instagram.

28th Annual Labour Community Holiday Event

Surrey: December 22, 2023 – 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Vancouver: December 23, 2023 – 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm

DONATION REQUEST

Each year we come together to celebrate the holidays by sharing with those in need. Over 2,000 people and families take part in this annual tradition.

We are extremely excited to announce that this year we will be having a full turkey dinner, food hampers, clothing boutique and toys in two separate areas and evenings hosted by the BC labour community.

1st Event Location: Surrey (tbc)
Event date / time – Friday December 22nd, 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm

2nd Event Location: Maritime Labour Centre, Vancouver
Event date / time – Saturday December 23rd, 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm

None of this can happen without you!

We’ll need plenty of volunteers to make this event a success, and our labour community always comes through. To take part in this vital event, get in touch with your name and contact details to bcfed-ea@bcfed.ca.

Financial contributions are also critical to the success of this annual event. Many families count on us being there. That is why we’re making this special request for your generous financial donation. Together we can provide an important community service and celebrate the spirit of giving this holiday.

Please make your cheque payable to:
Labour Community Christmas Dinner
c/o BC Federation of Labour
Suite 110-4259 Canada Way, Burnaby BC V5E 1H3

For more information, please contact Marisha at 604-308-7474 or by email at bcfed-ea@bcfed.ca.

Friends:
Please join us on November 28^th from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm for the BCFED’s event to mark the International Day of Persons With Disabilities.
The event will be held in a hybrid format, with in-person registration limited to 35 people, and online registration is unlimited.
The in-person session will be held in room 402 at the Surrey Library City Centre Branch.
Please see the attached poster and below for registration information, and please share widely!

Register for Online Attendance:
https://bcfed.ca/content/idpwd2023online

Register for in in-person attendance:
https://bcfed.ca/content/idpwd2023

We look forward to seeing you there!
In solidarity,