The newsletter of CUPE Local 15, Vancouver Municipal Education and Community Workers

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Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to:CUPE Local 15545 W. 10th Ave.Vancouver, BCV5Z 1K9

The Members’voice

Annual General MeetingMAY

Date & Time: Wednesday, May 26, 5:30 p.m.

Location: Italian Cultural Centre3075 Slocan St. Vancouver, Room 5Under

Discussion: • Executive Board By-Elections: 2nd VP, K-12 Sector Rep, and College/University Sector Rep

• Notice of Motion - see page 2• Vancouver Coastal Health Program Cuts• Bargaining Updates• Guest speaker from PIVOT

General Meetings provide all members with an opportunity to participate in decisions that affect the union. (Childcare assistance and Interpretation available upon request.)

2010

Our website gets a makeover

We are pleased to announce that our new website is now live! www.cupe15.org

The new site has some interesting features, such as CUPE15TV, breaking news, events and photo gallery. You’ll find info about your union, FAQ, executive list, contact directory for all folks who work in and for the union.

If you have any events you would like to add, contact us through the form on the website or email us at email@cupe15.org.

We are still working out some bugs and uploading content. If you notice anything that we need to correct, such as workplace contact info, then please let us know via email or use our contact form on the website. We’re working on making sure the content is as up-to-date as possible.

Photo gallery! New workplace resource section!Add events!Breaking news!

Thank-you Gail! Long-time union activist, Gail Horton, recently retired from the VSB. and our President, Paul Faoro recently surprised her at her office with a bouquet, in recognition of all her hard work. She`s been a terrific asset to the members and her workplace, as shop steward, Executive Board member and many other roles. Thank-you Gail, we`ll miss you!

The Member’s Voice was recently awarded best newsletter for a local with over 500 members. Congrats to us!

news briefs

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Springtime is known as time of renewal and regrowth. I think the same goes for our unions’

Executive Board elections which just took place in late April.

We have people returning and some new ones joining us on our Executive Board.

I would like to congratulate Miriam Pulsifer, 1st Vice

President, Leanne Toderian, Secretary Treasurer, Anne-Marie McGee, Parks Sector Representative, Diane Brown, City Sector Representative, Caroline Mewis, Health Sector Representative, Peggy Wong, K-12 Sector Representative and Michele Alexander, Trustee for being elected into their positions. I and the other Executive Board members are looking forward to working with our new officers on the many challenges that lay ahead.

The learning curve is going to be short for our new members as we are collectively facing some

difficult matters in the coming days, weeks and months. With the BC Liberals continuing on the reckless course for our province we were just notified by Vancouver Coastal Health that they intend to eliminate approximately 12 FTE and several part time positions. In the notice we received it stated the reason for the cuts were to “improve service efficiencies and delivery, help build capacity and to help address pressure and shortfalls”. I wish someone could explain to me what “help build capacity” means?

I think it would be hard to find anyone that would call cuts to the Aboriginal Program, Environmental Health, Rehab, Downtown Eastside Community Health Centre and shutting down the Contact Food Store helping to build capacity. Maybe except for Health Minister Kevin Falcon who is pushing his privatization agenda. You don’t think so? In April Services Minister Kevin Falcon appointed a former private hospital board member as chair of Vancouver Coastal Health. Mr. Falcon’s appointee Kip Woodward just happens as well to be a founding investor in the private Cambie Surgery Centre in Vancouver.

I am appalled at all of the health cuts and we are going to fight back against them. Not that I need to show how heartless the BC Liberals are, but closing the food store in the downtown

eastside is simply cruel. Just read what this place does from Vancouver Coastal Health’s website “The food store provides low-cost, affordable groceries in single-serving or small portions to residents in the downtown eastside. Service is intended to fill the gap between drop-in meal services and regular grocery stores, with the latter being out of reach for these clients. Most clients have an average of $4.50 to spend, though they will say they are willing to spend $2.00.”

“The challenge for staff is to identify and educate on what one can buy that is nutritional for this amount of money. The store is unique in that it provides individual portions, no point in buying a whole box of cereal if you can’t afford milk or you don’t have a fridge to put the milk in. Food is already divided into individual portions, such as cereal, and staff will provide the bowl and spoon to eat it on the spot. The store also offers many “blended food” options and smoothies for clients with poor teeth. For this population, it may be their only opportunity to eat fresh, nutritional food.”

Shame on you Mr.Falcon. Bloody heartless.

Renewal and Regrowth Except in Health CarePresident’s Messageby Paul Faoro

Update from your Executive

Paul Faoro, President

by Leanne Toderian, Secretary Treasurer

First, if you came out to vote in the recent Local 15 elections, you have already taken part in a very important process that is critical to the success of our union. CUPE prides itself in being a democratically run organization. I am honoured to have been elected to

the position of Secretary Treasurer. I am pleased to say I have gained support from other sectors across this organization and I find it very humbling. I assure you I will do my best to bring harmony and success to the position. I hope to bring my strong union values to all 18 bargaining units of our union.

As an organization, I believe we have more strengths than weaknesses, but I am always up for improvements. For us to be successful, we have to remain united and strong as we face our Employers, budget cuts, deficits and re-organization. I know that our members rely on us to provide leadership and solidarity and to protect those who are not able to. I am up for the fight!

I would also like to thank the outgoing Secretary Treasurer, Sister Betty McGee. Betty has always been passionate about the work she does for members and I am sure her members at Parks will be happy to see her back in a full time capacity, as their senior steward.

As always, elections or not, the work of the union continues to challenge us. There are a number of fights our sectors are up against. The City and Parks Sector layoffs have been underway and our stewards

are extremely busy dealing with the fallout of that decision. Unfortunately, we are concerned budget constraints will affect other Sectors. It is going to be another busy year for all of us to make sure our members are represented to the best of our ability.

As you may already know, this is the year of the steward. We hope to continue to provide training to our stewards. Our Education Committee is working hard to deliver courses which will help them represent our members. Please watch for their monthly mail outs for more information. Recently we held our annual Steward/Activists Training Weekend in Harrison. From all accounts those in attendance were once again inspired by the speakers and facilitators in the sessions they delivered.

Elsewhere, our school sector continues to face challenges and the sector representatives and stewards continue to work tirelessly to minimize the impact of the governments’ decisions to amend the calendar and any impact that has on their members and schools. In the Health sector I think our Health members see the writing on the wall. The provincial government continues to devalue the work health care providers contribute to our society. There is a sense of uncertainty and we will be working closely with them in an effort to minimize the impacts. College and University sectors are also working to fight back cuts imposed by this draconian provincial government. Regardless of what sector is facing challenges, big or small, it is our goal to support each other, that is what makes us strong.

With passion, dedication and tenacity, I intend to continue to develop, mentor and support our stewards and members. I look forward to the next 2 years.

2010 is the year of the StewardNotice of Executive Board ElectionsThere will be a by-election for the following positions at the May General Membership meeting:• 2nd Vice President• K-12 Sector• College/University Sector

Please note that all members may vote for the 2nd Vice President position. Only members of the K-12 or College/University sectors may vote for candidates in that sector.

The Executive Decidedby Leanne Toderian, Secretary Treasurer • To donate $500 to the Sun Eagles

Homeless Street Soccer Team• To donate $500 to the “On to Ottawa

Trek” 75th Anniversary• To approve up to $4000.00 in a fight back

campaign against School Board cuts

Notice of Motion• To recommend a donation of $500 to the

Open Media organization• To support Justce Rocks with a donation of

$1500

Executive Board Election ResultsCongrats to the following people:Miriam Pulsifer, 1st Vice President, Leanne Toderian, Secretary Treasurer, Anne-Marie McGee, Parks Sector Representative, Diane Brown, City Sector Representative, Caroline Mewis, Health Sector Representative, Peggy Wong, K-12 Sector Representative and Michele Alexander, Trustee for being elected into their positions.

Leanne Toderian Secretary Treasurer

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Letters, Notices, & UpdatesDonation Thanks! On behalf of all of us at Out On Screen, thank you for your generous donation!

Out in Schools is about smashing stereotypes and making schools safer for all students. During the 2008-09 school year Out in Schools reached more than 4,800 students with 46 presentations. With projects such as the Anti-Homophobia Student PSA competition Out in Schools’ impact is immeasurable!

By supporting Out in Schools you will help us:• Deliver 55 presentations reaching more than

6,000 students.• Further develop a cultural voice amongst

youth with the anti-Homophobia Student PSA competition.

• Submit and champion planning 10 lesson units for curriculum inclusion.

• Continue to build community collaborative relationships that help to further Out in Schools’ goals.

Thank you again for your donation.

Job Share OpportunityJob share partner position in Office Support B with the Vancouver School Board.

Please contact: Leslie Powell at 604-461-5687.

The revised budget proposal

Hello Paul:

I would like to express my gratitude to you of what you have done at the Public Presentation of the Revised Budget Proposal at the Board Office yesterday.

Yesterday at the Board Office, the Trustees and the Board went over what they had revised. Many positions that they had initially proposed to cut were to be partially restored. Unfortunately, none of the Multicultural Liaison Workers were mentioned. It will still be 4 FTE MLW to be cut.

Then you spoke out. You pointed out that the support, the Special Needs, the ESL and the Multicultural Liaison Workers were still being cut! You told them that this budget was not acceptable. You also initiated a demand of an immediate meeting with the Ministry of Education to get to the bottom of the issue.

My salute to you, Paul! You had the vision and leadership at this chaotic time, in helping to save the public education. Your advocacy for our disadvantaged parents and students who didn’t have a voice due to the linguistic and cultural barriers was much appreciated. Whatever the outcome of the cut would be, at least they have had a voice through you. I would like to thank you on behalf of them. Keep up the spirit and good health. Keep in touch.

Gloria ChiuMulticultural Liaison Worker, VSB

Thanks for the Professional Development Funds Thank you for your generous contribution to my professional development as a life coach. I hope to use these acquired communication skills in my job as a physiotherapist. Your education fund has allowed me the privilege of pursuing higher education, while avoiding substantial debt. I am so grateful to CUPE 15.

Sincerely,Carla WiebeHome Care Physiotherapist I would like to express my gratitude for receiving a CUPE Local 15 Members’ Bursary. The support towards my tuition to attend Capilano University’s Art Institute Printmaking Program is immensely appreciated.

Since 2001 I have been involved with arts and cultural initiatives in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside with the aim to create projects that invite local collaboration and promote healthy community engagement and growth. Being part of the printmaking program comes as a valuable and timely opportunity, as I am aiming to reposition my art practice in hopes of becoming a future Master of Fine Arts candidate. I am also learning new and relevant skills to bring to my community projects

This spring I am facilitating introductory printmaking workshops for Downtown Eastside residents and artists, and recently I have joined the W2 Community Media Arts Letterpress Studio, part of the Woodward’s redevelopment project.

My sincere thanks.Alexandra LohanStreet Program Outreach and Oppenheimer Park Activities LeaderCarnegie Community Centre

My name is Emma Somers and I am putting my name forward for the position of 2nd Vice President on the CUPE 15 Executive Board.

As a dedicated union activist, I see it as my job to safeguard worker and human rights and to advocate for fairness and transparency in the public sector. If elected 2nd Vice President, I will work to strengthen connection, collaboration, and solidarity between sectors and workplaces.

I am committed to working with our union’s executive to ensure that we remain responsive to the opinions and values of our membership. Integrity and thoughtfulness are critical to union activism. It is important that the table officer positions reflect the diversity of our sectors and our member’s concerns; I will work to ensure that all our voices are heard.

As “Chief Shop Steward” at Emily Carr, I have had opportunities to participate in hearings at the LRB, act as a temporary Staff Representative, and take a wide breadth of union education. I have represented workers as an active shop steward for over five years and was recently elected by co-workers to the University’s Board of Governors as “Board Staff Representative”. Additionally, I have been a College Sector Representative on the CUPE Local 15 Executive Board for the last 2 years.

We are working people; our talents and skills are significant. Our voices need to be heard by management, government and our union leadership. I would greatly appreciate your support in this election.

In solidarity,Emma Somers, College/University Sector RepEmily Carr University

Thank-you! I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the many members who supported me during the recent election. My work on behalf of the membership has been, on occasion, time consuming and exhausting but it has also been an extraordinarily rewarding and worthwhile experience.

I am very proud of my accomplishments while in office and believe that the processes that I have instituted increased the level of accountability in our local. I want to thank the membership for providing me that opportunity.

I am grateful beyond words for the kind thoughts and wishes that have been extended to me in the days following the announcement of the election results.

In solidarity,Betty McGeeelizabethmcgee@shaw.ca

Hello to all...As many V.S.B. members noticed I did not put my name forward for the recent past CUPE Local 15 School Board elections. I want to thank my nominator but I needed to decline. I decided to step back for a few years to focus on a business venture that has come upon me. I want to thank all the VSB members who supported me in the past and will look forward to supporting all members from the sideline. CUPE 15 has a GREAT office staff and I would like to thank them for all their individual help around the office. From Paul our President, to the new and past Secretary Treasurers, I thank you for your guidance and support. The past Executive Board team was very active and vocal. We did get things accomplished! Thank you for all your support.

Your new Sector Representative Peggy Wong will do a fantastic job and I’ve promised her my support and will provide any mentoring she feels she needs, I will be there. She comes with much knowledge and enthusiasm.

I will be very active in the fight of our union and supporting the needs of our students in the Vancouver School Board. I am not going away; I’m just stepping back for a few years.

Thank you to all who helped me get to a position where I am now!

Your Friend, Kenny Brett Past Vancouver School Board Sector Representative

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The Members’ Voice is published nine times a year for members of CUPE Local 15 - Vancouver Municipal, Education and Community Workers. The Deadline for submissions is 9:00 a.m. on the first Wednesday of each month. All submissions may be edited for brevity and clarity. Signed articles and letters do not necessarily reflect the views or policy of CUPE Local 15.

CUPE Local 15545 West 10th AvenueVancouver, BC V5Z 1K9Phone: 604-879-4671Fax: 604-879-7582Email: email@cupe15.orgWebsite: www.cupe15.org

Local 15 is a chartered affiliate of the Canadian Union of Public Employees and is also affiliated with the CUPE British Columbia Division, CUPE Metro District Council and the Vancouver & District Labour Council. CUPE 15 is a member of the Canadian Association of Labour Media (CALM).

CUPE Local 15 Executive Board

Table Officers:President: Paul Faoro

1st Vice President: Miriam Pulsifer

2nd Vice President: vacant

Secretary Treasurer: Leanne Toderian

Sector Representatives:City: Sally Bankiner, Diane Brown

College/University: Emma Somers

Cultural: Matthew Quiring

Health/HSSCBA: Patricia Taylor

Health/HSPBA: Caroline Mewis

Parks: Anne-Marie McGee, Barb Dickinson

K-12: Peggy Wong, vacant

Trustees:Joey Lau, Michelle Alexander, Arthur Lum

Staff Representatives:Steve Baker, John Geppert, Keith Graham, Graeme Moore

Office & Administrative Staff:Mark Gloumeau, Accounting Coordinator Maureen Dorratt, Office Assistant Rosemary Matheson, Office Manager Barbara Simpson, Office Assistant

Building Maintenance:Jeff Zaharia

CUPE National Representatives:Justin Schmid, Tina Meadows, Matt Yun

Designed by talkingdog.ca

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Events & CreditsThe Members’voice

It’s Bursary time, again!It’s Bursary time, again!

2009/2010 Bursaries - VMECW Society Twelve full time and eight part time bursaries for education at post secondary institutions are available annually to CUPE Local 15 members (member bursaries) and to the sons, daughters or legal dependents of union members (dependent bursaries). Member bursaries can only be applied for by completing the application form and forwarding it to the union office. Application forms are available at the union office and at www.cupe15.org.

Dependent Bursaries are applied for directly through the educational institution. The policies for member and dependent bursaries are included in this issue.

Policy - Member Bursaries (for CUPE 15 members only)

Twelve bursaries are available annually to CUPE Local 15 members. The award selection will be made by the Executive for eligible members on the basis of aggregate length of service. An additional eight part time bursaries are also available (pro-rated to a maximum of $500).

Eligibility• Must demonstrate a primary attachment to CUPE

Local 15 by holding union membership through a minimum of six months employment for each of the two years prior to the date of enrolment.

• Must be pursuing a field of study not in contradiction to the aims of the labour movement.

• Bursaries in the amount of $1,000 are available for the following post secondary institutions: UBC, SFU, BCIT, ECU, VCC, Langara, Capilano College, Kwantlen College, and Douglas College.

• Must be a current member or retired member of the union at the time of application (excluding associate members).

• Applications for other public Canadian post secondary institutions may be considered on a case by case basis as of September 1st if any of the nine bursaries have not been awarded.

Selection• The award selection will be made by the Executive.

Awards are based on seniority (measured from start date).

• Awards will be made to applicants who are beginning or continuing studies/enrolment (as defined by the Canada Student Financial Assistance Act), and who are capable of pursuing the course of study.

• An applicant for a bursary may only receive a bursary once every four years.

Application• Full time bursaries are to a maximum of $1,000 of

tuition only.• Part time bursaries are awarded to a maximum of

$500.• Applications must be received at the Union Office by

June 30, 2010.• Awards are paid directly to the institution upon

receipt of invoices and proof of registration.• One half of tuition will be paid at the beginning of

the school year and the second half will be paid at

the second half of the billing term (or as it becomes due). For institutions with the semester system, a year is defined as two semesters within the school year.

• Bursary recipients are requested to submit proof of completion of the program/year for which the bursary was provided.

• Only the member applying is eligible to receive the bursary.

Policy – Dependent’s Bursary (for dependents of CUPE Local 15 members only)

Dependents must apply directly to the Financial Aid Office of the College or University listed below.

Nine bursaries are available annually to dependents of Union members. These bursaries will be awarded on the basis of financial need and academic criteria as established by the post-secondary educational institution.

Eligibility• Only the dependent applying is eligible to receive the

bursary.• The member upon whom the applicant is a

dependent must be a current or retired member of CUPE Local 15 (excluding associate members). The member must have demonstrated a primary attachment to CUPE Local 15 by holding union membership through a minimum of six months employment for each of the two years prior to the date of enrolment.

• The applicant must be pursuing a field of study not in contradiction to the aims of the labour movement.

Selection• The award selection will be made by the educational

institution.• Awards will be based upon financial need provided

that the academic performance as established by the educational institution is met.

• One bursary is available at each of the following post secondary institutions: SFU, BCIT, ECIU, VCC, Langara, Capilano College, Kwantlen College, Douglas College.

• Bursary applications for other public Canadian post secondary institutions are considered on a case by case basis as of September 1st if any of the nine bursaries have not been awarded.

• The applicant must be beginning or continuing full time enrolment and must be capable of pursuing the course of study.

• An applicant for a bursary may only receive a bursary once every four years.

Application• Bursaries are to a maximum of $1000 of tuition

only. Application must be made through the post secondary institution’s Financial Aid Office within their established deadlines.

• Awards are paid directly to the institution upon receipt of invoice and proof of registration.

• One half of tuition will be paid at the beginning of the school year and the second half will be paid at the second half of the billing term (or as it becomes due).

• Bursary recipients are requested to submit proof of completion of the program/year for which the bursary was provided.