An extensive compilation of multi-media educational materials and informational resources are collected under different categories in Resilience BC’s Anti-Racism Tools online for anyone wishing to get more knowledge and join the struggle. View digital coursework, visit informative websites, browse recommended book lists, access free film and documentary content, or listen to audio on racial injustice, and how to combat it.
BC FEDERATION OF LABOUR – Join workers across the province as we celebrate Labour Day 2023!
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CUPE INFO
NWDLC & VDLC | Labour Day Volunteer Call | Sep 4 Three volunteer shifts are available for the New Westminster & District Labour Council/Vancouver & District Labour Council celebration. The Labour Day event is volunteer-run and help is needed. Date & Times: Monday, Sep 4, 2023 | 9:00am – 12:30pm | 12:00pm – 3:30pm | 8:30am – 2:30pm Location: Edmonds Park at 7433 Humphries Ave, Burnaby
Contact: Kathryn Prinz labourdaykat@gmail.com with shift preference, e-mail and cell number
FRIS | Volunteer Call | Sep 30 : The Fraser River Indigenous Society is recruiting volunteers in Maple Ridge for the September 30 Truth & Reconciliation event. Shifts and duties are outlined in the attached brochure.
Date & Time: Sep 30, 2023 | 8:00am – 4:00pm (Pacific) Location: Memorial Peace Park at 11930 224 St, Maple Ridge Contact: uwijeratne@plea.bc.ca
VDLC | Fall Meeting | Sep 19 The next regular meeting of the Vancouver & District Labour Council will be held in hybrid format, with pizza provided for in-person attendees. Please register in advance for catering considerations.
Date & Time: Sep 19, 2023 | 7:00pm (Pacific) Location: The Maritime Labour Centre at 1880 Triumph St, Vancouver
Registration: Click here to register by Tuesday, Sep 12
CLC | Women in Leadership | Oct 16-19 By popular demand, the Canadian Labour Congress has decided to offer a second Women in Leadership course, held in the Lower Mainland for those unable to attend in Harrison. This course is open to any leaders who identify as women or who are gender diverse, including non-binary, gender fluid, gender-nonconforming or genderqueer leaders. View poster here.
Date & Time: Oct 16-19, 2023 | 9:00am – 4:00pm (Pacific) daily Location: MoveUp office at 301 – 4501 Kingsway, Burnaby Fees: $250 (includes lunch)
Registration: Click here to register by Friday, Sep 29
CCDI Consulting | Aug 7 Webinar Footage Sign up to access the free recording of last week’s “Indigenous Inclusion: Truth and Reconciliation” webinar (speakers Roy Pogorzelski and Akira De Carlos) from CCDI Consulting.
CHSF | Letter to MP Template The Coalition for Healthy School Food has made a letter template for contacting MPs to advocate for healthy school food programs for next fall.
Possibility Seeds | Webinar & Skillshare Footage 2020-present Dozens of webinars and skillshare series created by Possibility Seeds over the last 3 years, on the theme gender-based violence in the post-secondary context and beyond, are available on their Youtube channel. Some meaningful titles:
Anti-Colonial Approaches to Addressing GBV with Indigenous Communities
- “The Trouble with Girls in the Lab”
- Engaging Men on Campus Community of Practice
- Why Create Black Survivor Spaces on Campus?
WFTU | Global Labour Action News Keep up to date with global solidarity actions on the World Federation of Trade Unions news site here.
Should you have any questions regarding this update, please email info@cupe.bc.ca for additional information.
In solidarity,
CUPE BC Executive Board
CUPE British Columbia
#410-6222 Willingdon Avenue
Burnaby, British Columbia
V5H 0G3
P: 604.291.9119
CUPE BC UPDATES GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS & RESOURCES
CODEMUH | Solidarity for Injured Gildan Inc Workers & Mass Layoff: Urgent action is underway from CoDev Canada to support partner organization Honduran Women’s Collective (CODEMUH) in holding Canadian corporation Gildan Activewear Inc accountable as they will soon rob 2,700 workers of livelihoods following the closure of their San Miguel factory this month. CODEMUH is calling on Gildan to re-hire the workers at their other Honduran factories, and to compensate the 300 injured workers now left without medical and rehabilitation services, ineligible for disability pensions, and facing barriers to future employment. Sign the petition here going directly to the Gildan CEO, and share the cause on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (please tag CODEMUH and Gildan). The Honduran Women’s Collective statement is online here in Spanish and English.
Mark’s | 25% Summer Discount | Jul 23-29: Members can download their discount brochure here to receive 25% off on all regular in-store purchases from Jul 23-29 at Mark’s throughout the country.
University at Buffalo | Inclusive Design Resources: A large selection of urban infrastructure accessibility reports and accessible design guidelines are available to download at the U Buffalo Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access resources site, aiming to give a large-scale, research-informed perspective on accessibility in the urban environment.
Should you have any questions regarding this update, please email info@cupe.bc.ca for additional information.
WorkSafeBC reminds employers to protect indoor and outdoor workers from the risk of heat stress
Last year, WorkSafeBC accepted 81 workers’ claims related to heat stress injuries
Richmond, B.C. (July 6, 2023) — With temperatures on the rise across several regions of B.C., WorkSafeBC is reminding employers to be aware of heat-related risks to their workers — both indoors and outdoors — and to implement measures to keep workplaces safe.
As temperatures rise, so does the risk of heat-related illness. WorkSafeBC notes that heat stress claims have been increasing in recent years. Between 2018 and 2020, WorkSafeBC had an average of 41 accepted claims per year from heat stress. The number of claims increased to 115 during the heat dome in 2021, and remained elevated in 2022, with a total of 81 claims from heat stress.
Workers most at risk of heat stress include those working at farms, construction sites, restaurants/kitchens, and factories.
“Heat stress can lead to a range of health issues, including painful muscle cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. In severe cases, it can be life-threatening,” says Suzana Prpic, Senior Manager of Prevention Field Services at WorkSafeBC. “It’s important to recognize that heat stress is preventable, and all employers can take proactive steps to protect their workers in both indoor and outdoor settings.”
To prevent heat-stress injuries, WorkSafeBC requires employers to conduct a heat stress assessment. Once done, employers must develop a heat stress exposure control plan. The plan should include training and safe work procedures.
WorkSafeBC encourages employers to engage their workers and joint health and safety committees in discussions to identify hazards related to heat and sun exposure and determine how to eliminate or reduce the risks.
WorkSafeBC provides the following safety tips for employers and workers to stay safe in hot weather:
What employers can do:
- Ensure that workers are engaged in discussions about heat-related hazards, right at the start of each workday.
- Establish cooling areas with shade and water.
- Determine appropriate work-rest cycles; when a worker feels ill it may be too late.
- Rotate work activities or use additional workers to reduce exposure.
- Provide air conditioning or increased ventilation to remove hot air.
- Monitor heat conditions and require workers not to work alone.
- Ensure there is adequate first-aid coverage and emergency procedures are in place.
What workers can do:
- Drink plenty of water (one glass every 20 minutes).
- Wear light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing made of breathable fabric, such as cotton.
- Take rest breaks in a cool, well-ventilated area.
- Do more strenuous physical work activities during the coolest parts of the day, before 11 a.m. and after 3 p.m.
- Know your personal risk factors, such as medications and any pre-existing conditions.
- Check the signs and symptoms for heat stress for yourself and co-workers.
Resources:
- WorkSafeBC provides tools and resourceson heat stress for workers and employers on its website and translates these into multiple languages.
- A new version of the booklet Preventing Heat Stress at Workis available online.
- WorkSafeBC’s Occupational Health and Safety Regulation outline duties for employers:
o Sections 7.27–7.32 are related to heat exposure.
o Section 4.80 addresses indoor air quality, specifically temperature and humidity.
About WorkSafeBC:
WorkSafeBC engages workers and employers to prevent injury, disease, and disability in B.C. When work-related injuries or diseases occur, WorkSafeBC provides compensation and support to people in their recovery, rehabilitation, and safe return to work. We serve approximately 2.6 million workers and 270,000 employers across B.C.
For more information, contact:
Media Relations, WorkSafeBC
Email: media@worksafebc.com
Tel: 604-276-5157
BC Community Social Services Workers
Update on Policy Grievance re: Payment of Wage Increases
The Community Social Services Bargaining Association (CSSBA) and the Community Social Services
Employer’s Association (CSSEA) met regarding the policy grievance on the significant delays in paying
unionized employees negotiated wage increases, per the renewed sectoral collective agreements.
We were unable to reach an agreement on how to resolve the grievance and the parties agreed to
appoint Arbitrator Chris Sullivan to hear this matter and a date has been set for September 11, 2023.
This is the soonest time the arbitrator was available.
We know that the delayed payment on wage increases for 2022 and 2023 is frustrating for so many
members across the sector. Despite the hearing date in September, the CSSBA continues to work on
finding a way to resolve this as soon as possible.
Thank you for your continued patience and support
.
In solidarity,
Community Social Services Bargaining Association
CUPE BC UPDATES GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS & RESOURCES
Dear members,
Please read on for general CUPE BC announcements and to learn more about upcoming events, learning resources, and community engagement opportunities. If this email was forwarded to you and you wish to be added to our mailing list, please send an email request to info@cupe.bc.ca.
CODEMUH | Solidarity for Injured Gildan Inc Workers & Mass Layoff – Urgent action is underway from CoDev Canada to support partner organization Honduran Women’s Collective (CODEMUH) in holding Canadian corporation Gildan Activewear Inc accountable as they will soon rob 2,700 workers of livelihoods following the closure of their San Miguel factory this month. CODEMUH is calling on Gildan to re-hire the workers at their other Honduran factories, and to compensate the 300 injured workers now left without medical and rehabilitation services, ineligible for disability pensions, and facing barriers to future employment. Sign the petition here going directly to the Gildan CEO, and share the cause on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (please tag CODEMUH and Gildan). The Honduran Women’s Collective statement is online here in Spanish and English.
SEIU Local 2 | Granville Island Brewing Workers Strike | ACTION TOMORROW – Granville Island Brewing workers are on strike with picket lines up throughout the summer: Solidarity Saturdays. Molson Coors, the owners of Granville Island Brewing, rake in billions yearly while withholding wage increases that would enable workers to keep up with inflation. Read more about the strike and join SEIU Local 2 workers on the picket line tomorrow. The attached brochure is available to share on social media.
Date & Time: Saturday, Jul 8, 2023 | 12:00pm – 2:00pm & 4:00pm – 7:00pm. Location: Granville Island Brewing at 1441 Cartwright St, Vancouver
1st Annual Richmond Pride Walk | Jul 29 – Save the date for Richmond’s first Pride Walk, as presented by NDP MLA Kelly Greene in response to Richmond residents’ call for greater local 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion and representation. MLAs Aman Singh and Henry Yao will also be in attendance, alongside CUPE Local 718.
Date & Time: Saturday, Jul 29, 2023 | 11:00am – 12:00pm Location: Imperial Landing at 4011 Bayview St, Richmond, continuing along Steveston boardwalk
RSVP: Click here
RCYBC | 2SLGBTQIA+ Youth’s Right to Thrive: Report – Published last month under the guidance of a circle of community advisors and advocates, the BC Representative for Children and Youth report The Right to Thrive compiles quantitative and qualitative data in a cross-disciplinary call for urgent recognition, respect and nurture of two-spirit, trans, non-binary and other gender diverse children and youth. Read the full 158-page text here.
CUPE Local 4070 | Unpaid Work Won’t Fly Petition – Lend your solidarity to the ongoing petition from Local 4070 to end unpaid work for flight attendants in Canada, following the National Day of Action in April this year. In this sector, workers expend nearly a full work week doing free labour each month, as airlines don’t pay flight attendants for duties like assisting passengers with boarding, pre-flight safety checks, deplaning, and other delays. Send a message to the federal government and big airlines (also scroll to the bottom of page to share how unpaid work is affecting you with CUPE’s Airline Division), and use Local 4070’s infographics to share on your social media.
CCPA Monitor Magazine | Zombie Neoliberalism Edition – The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives publishes progressive news, views and ideas in Monitor magazine online, and the latest edition, “Zombie Neoliberalism”, is available in full for download here. Articles include Dismissing the Low Taxes Myth, Dawn of the Debt, and Ancient Minimum Wage Tropes.
CCDI Consulting | Reasons Why DEI Initiatives Fail: Webinar | Jul 19 – TEDx Talk speaker Matteo Stewart will explore the reasons why, despite excellent intentions, DEI initiatives fail, in CCDI Consulting’s free upcoming webinar. Stewart will delve into DEI initiatives’ failure from a leadership perspective, to deliver actionable steps toward transforming DEI in the workplace.
Date & Time: Jul 19, 2023 | 1:00pm (Eastern) Registration: Click here
BCFED | Young Workers Leadership Retreat | Sep 6-8. – Registrations are now ongoing, to close Jul 25 or sooner depending on the number of applicants, for the Young Workers Leadership Retreat in Maple Ridge. 50 young workers will gather to take Be More Than A Bystander training, participate in team- and trust-building activities, and develop leadership skills to foster more equitable and inclusive workplaces.
Dates: Sep 6-8, 2023 Location: Loon Lake Lodge & Retreat Centre at 14500 Silver Valley Road, Maple Ridge, BC Fees: $500 all-inclusive
Registration: Click here
CAF-FCA | Nominations Call: Board of Directors | Aug 22 – Those interested in serving on the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum Board of Directors can submit their applications by midnight (Eastern time), August 22, for the following positions:
- Jurisdiction (1 position) – 4 yr term
- Employer (2 positions)
- 2-year term
- 4-year term
- Labour (1 position) – 4 yr term
- Educator (1 position) – 4 yr term
To be considered, one must be:
1) nominated by their member organization or another member in the same constituency group – Employer, Labour, Jurisdiction or Education
2) have a current and direct relationship to a member organization that is in good standing at the Champion, Patron or Supporter level
3) maintain CAF-FCA membership throughout the term on the Board.
View more information and apply here.
EHN Canada | Moral Injury vs. PTSD Webinar | Jul 13. – The phenomenon of moral injury – single or repeated transgressions of an individual’s deeply held moral beliefs and expectations – is often diagnosed as PTSD in combat veterans. In next week’s The Difference Between Moral Injury & PTSDwebinar, Edgewood Health Network Canada’s Krystle Martin explores the high statistical incidence of moral injury among Canadian Armed Forces members, and its distinct characteristics in relation to post-traumatic stress disorder. Registration is free.
Date & Time: Jul 13, 2023 | 9:00am – 10:00am (Pacific) Registration: Click here
Courage to Act | Sexual Harassment in Experiential Learning Webinar | Aug 17 – Courage to Act researchers Farrah Khan, Britney De Costa and Andréanne St-Gelais, having conducted the first national study on sexual harassment in internships, practicums, placements and co-ops, will share their findings in a free webinar next month. Sexual Harassment in Experiential Learning: A Price Students Shouldn’t Have to Pay will also create a strategic workbook with protocols to respond to these issues.
Date & Time: Aug 17, 2023 | 10:00am (Pacific) Registration: Click here
CIRA | Indigenous Stock Photo Library – The Canadian Internet Registry Association has compiled an archive of Indigenous stock photos, free to use with the purpose of honouring Indigenous entrepreneurship and addressing the Indigenous representation gap in most online stock images.View the gallery here.
City of Surrey | Family Summer Art Party | Jul 15 – Drop in to make art and connect with family and friends at the Surrey Art Gallery Family Art Party, a free event.
Date & Time: Saturday, Jul 15, 2023 | 11:00am – 3:00pm Location: Bear Creek Park at 13750 88 Ave, Surrey, BC Contact info: Phone 604-501-5566 or e-mail artgallery@surrey.ca
BC Recovery Day | Call for Volunteer Face Painters | Sep 9 – Charlford House Society for Women is preparing for the BC Recovery Day festival in New Westminster on Sep 9, and they need face painting volunteers. If you are artistic and wish to support the cause, contact miranda@charlfordhouse.ca.
CALM 2023 Award Winners – The list of winners for the 2023 Canadian Association of Labour Media Awards is now online. Browse a large showcase of high-quality labour publications and campaigns, with categories including Most Innovative Online Tool, Best Editorial, Excellence in Writing for Print, and more.
Should you have any questions regarding this update, please email info@cupe.bc.ca for additional information.
in solidarity,
CUPE BC Executive Board
CUPE British Columbia
#410-6222 Willingdon Avenue
Burnaby, British Columbia
V5H 0G3
P: 604.291.9119
BCFED Current Disputes
NOTICE ISSUED
MoveUP vs. PrairieCoast Equipment Langley Branch
Commenced: April 28, 2023
STRIKES AND LOCKOUTS
Please respect the unions’ picket lines in the following disputes, and do not patronize these businesses until the dispute is settled.
TSSU vs. Simon Fraser University
Major Issues: Class Sizes, Health Benefits, Contract Duration
Commenced: June 15, 2023
UNITE HERE! Local 40 vs. Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel
Major Issues: Wages
Commenced: June 14, 2023
MoveUP vs Capilano University
Major Issues: Workload, Wages
Commenced: June 7, 2023
PSAC vs. Federal Government of Canada
Major Issues: Wages, Work from home policy, Contracting out
Commenced: April 19, 2023
CUPE 561 vs. First Transit Fraser Valley
Major Issues: Pay Equity, Pensions, Work Life Balance
Commenced: February 27, 2023
UNITE HERE! Local 40 vs. Radisson Blu
Major Issues: Recall Rights, Concessions
Commenced: May 3, 2021
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2 events happening Wednesday, July 5th, to support CUPE 561, transit workers
There are two events happening Wednesday, July 5th. Mark Hancock and Candace Rennick will be in attendance from CUPE National, as well as Karen and Trevor from CUPE BC.
In the morning, we will have a burmashave action at Lougheed Station. Over lunch time, we will be at the Abbotsford picket line for a solidarity rally and food truck lunch. More info is included on the posters.
CUPE 561 Rally PostCUPE 561 Rally Poster_Lougheed Burmashave July 5
CUPE 561 Rally Poster_Solidarity_Lunch_NPO-NSTO_July5