The newsletter of CUPE Local 15, Vancouver Municipal Education and Community Workers Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: CUPE Local 15 545 W. 10th Ave. Vancouver, BC V5Z 1K9 General Membership Meeting MARCH Date & Time: March 28th at 5:30 pm Location: Italian Cultural Centre 3075 Slocan St. Vancouver, Room 5 Under Discussion: • Bargaining updates from Vancouver Coastal Health, City et al group, Vancouver Art Gallery, Emily Carr University and Maritime Museum • Executive Board by-election - Member at Large Health Sector (HSPBA) • Notice of Motion (see page 3) • Nominations for Executive Board • Executive Board report General Meetings provide all members with an opportunity to participate in decisions that affect the union. (Child care assistance and Interpretation available upon request.) Please note that there will be a VMECW Society meeting following the April 26th, 2012 Local 15 Membership meeting to approve the 2011 Financial Statements and appoint an Auditor. 2012 The Members’ voice MARCH 2012 CUPE members join rally in support of teachers and collective bargaining Hundreds of CUPE members joined with thousands of other union members and activists in Victoria on Tuesday to rally at the BC Legislature in support of free collective bargaining rights and in opposition to the BC Liberal government’s Bill 22. CUPE BC President Barry O’Neill spoke to the audience, estimated at more than 10,000, and told them that CUPE members all across the province were organizing local community rallies to demonstrate their solidarity. “If we don’t stop this government from tearing up our rights, there will be nothing left for our children, or for their children,” said O’Neill. “Christy Clark and Kevin Falcon need to understand that they can’t keep dividing people. Work with working people instead of against us.” The mass rally was sparked by the BC Liberal government’s introduction of Bill 22 and refusal to agree to mediation between the BC Teachers’ Federation and the BC Public Schools Employers Association (BCPSEA). The BCTF began three days of strike action on Monday, after it reached an agreement with the BCPSEA through the Labour Relations Board that no picket lines would go up around schools during the strike. The agreement, which the BCTF asked CUPE to honour, means CUPE members in the K-12 sector were expected to show up to work as scheduled. “CUPE members in BC deserve special thanks today, especially those in the K-12 sector,” O’Neill said after the rally. “It’s been a very difficult issue for many members to come to terms with, and I thank them all from the bottom of my heart for helping us support our colleagues in the BCTF as they have asked us to.” On Wednesday, O’Neill spoke to rallies in Langley and Vancouver. CUPE 15 President Paul Faoro, Secretary Treasurer Leanne Toderian and 1st VP Miriam Pulsifer attended in Victoria. At the Vancouver rally, our members turned up in big numbers to support the teachers. “Our K-12 members haven’t had to face a ‘picketless strike’ before,” said Faoro. “In fact, it’s new to all of us. I take my hat off to our members, who did everything to support our sisters and brothers in the BCTF and show solidarity while still respecting the unique circumstances of this dispute. “Once again, CUPE members stepped up to the plate under difficult circumstances and made our union proud.”
Transcript
The newsletter of CUPE Local 15, Vancouver Municipal Education and Community Workers
Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to:CUPE Local 15545 W. 10th Ave.Vancouver, BCV5Z 1K9
General Membership MeetingMARCH
Date & Time: March 28th at 5:30 pm
Location: Italian Cultural Centre3075 Slocan St. Vancouver, Room 5Under
Discussion:• Bargaining updates from Vancouver Coastal Health, City et al group,
Vancouver Art Gallery, Emily Carr University and Maritime Museum • Executive Board by-election - Member at Large Health Sector (HSPBA)• Notice of Motion (see page 3) • Nominations for Executive Board• Executive Board report
General Meetings provide all members with an opportunity to participate indecisionsthataffecttheunion.
(ChildcareassistanceandInterpretationavailableuponrequest.) Please note that there will be a VMECW Society meeting following the April 26th, 2012 Local 15 Membership meeting to approve the 2011FinancialStatementsandappointanAuditor.
2012
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CUPE members join rally in support of teachers and collective bargaining
Hundreds of CUPE members joined with thousands of other union members and activists in Victoria on Tuesday to rally at the BC Legislature in support of free collective bargaining rights and in opposition to the BC Liberalgovernment’sBill22.
CUPE BC President Barry O’Neill spoke to the audience, estimated at more than 10,000, and told them that CUPE members all across the province were organizing local community rallies todemonstratetheirsolidarity.
“If we don’t stop this government from tearing up our rights, there will be nothing left for our children, or for their children,” said O’Neill.“ChristyClarkandKevinFalconneedtounderstandthattheycan’tkeepdividingpeople.Workwithworkingpeopleinsteadofagainstus.”
The mass rally was sparked by the BC Liberal government’s introduction of Bill 22 and refusal to agree to mediation between the BC Teachers’ Federation and the BC Public Schools Employers Association(BCPSEA).TheBCTFbeganthreedays of strike action on Monday, after it reached an agreement with the BCPSEA through the Labour Relations Board that no picket lines wouldgouparoundschoolsduringthestrike.The agreement, which the BCTF asked CUPE to honour,meansCUPEmembersintheK-12sectorwereexpectedtoshowuptoworkasscheduled.“CUPE members in BC deserve special thanks today,especiallythoseintheK-12sector,”O’Neill
saidaftertherally.“It’sbeenaverydifficultissue for many members to come to terms with, and I thank them all from the bottom of my heart for helping us support our colleagues in theBCTFastheyhaveaskedusto.”
On Wednesday, O’Neill spoke to rallies in Langley andVancouver.CUPE15PresidentPaulFaoro,Secretary Treasurer Leanne Toderian and 1st VPMiriamPulsiferattendedinVictoria.AttheVancouver rally, our members turned up in big numberstosupporttheteachers.
“OurK-12membershaven’thadtofacea‘picketlessstrike’before,”saidFaoro.“Infact,it’snewtoallofus.Itakemyhatofftoour members, who did everything to support our sisters and brothers in the BCTF and show solidarity while still respecting the unique circumstancesofthisdispute.
“Once again, CUPE members stepped up to the plateunderdifficultcircumstancesandmadeourunionproud.”
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WWW.CUPE15.ORG CUPE Local 15, Vancouver Municipal Education and Community Workers
The BC Liberals should stay away from naminganything.That’sbecausetheyalwaysgetitwrong.Justlookattherecent boondoggle with renaming BC
Place stadium that’s probably going to cost millionsfromgovernmentcofferstoresolve
looming law suits fromTelus.Thesamegoes for Bill 22 the regressive piece of legislation introduced by Education Minster George Abbott to end the teachers’ labour dispute.Itisnamedthe “Education ImprovementAct”.It does nothing to improve our broken education system in BritishColumbia.
Our education system is broken with one of the main reasons being it is chronically underfunded bytheprovincialgovernment.UnderfundinghaseffectivelyforcedeveryschooldistrictinBCtoputmorefocusoncuttingprograms,staffand services than what they should be doing - improvinglearningforstudents.Datacompiledby school administrators in 2010 put the size of the structural shortfall at several hundred million dollarsprovince-wide.
The Vancouver School Board has been faced withmakingmassivecutsinthepastdecade.Over the last ten years the VSB was forced to makesignificantbudgetreductionsofover$51million.TheVSBiscurrentlyfacinga$10millionshortfall.AsCUPE15’srepresentativeattheVSB’sFinance and Legal Committee, I will continue to do everything I can to protect our members and the important work they do every day at Vancouver schools.
Unfortunately Bill 22 does nothing to address provincialeducationunderfunding.Whatitwilldowhen it is jammed through the Legislature by the BC Liberals is resolve the BC Teachers’ Federation disputebyinstitutingacoolingoffperiodthatbansstrikeaction.Justtomakesuremassivefinesare included for members, union representatives andtheBCTFifthelegislationisviolated.Itsetsout terms of reference for a mediator to force the BCTF and the BC Public School Employers’ Association to reach an agreement under the net zeromandate.
What it really does is impose a collective agreement on a union and takes away their right tofreecollectivebargaining.Thisshouldbeextremely troubling for every worker and union in BC as it is a serious breach of the principle of freecollectivebargaining.TheBCLiberalstriedplaying this card before and lost a number of times withchallengesinSupremeCourt.CUPEdoesnotsupport legislative action by any government that interferesintheprocessofcollectivebargaining.
Minister Abbott said in his media release for Bill 22 “most people are characterizing the bill as a ‘measured, thoughtful, balanced and constructive’ approach to a dispute that has been going on for almostayearwithlittlechanceofaresolution.”IsurewouldliketoknowwhoMr.Abbottisreferringto.Accordingtoarecentpollconductedfor the BC Federation of Labour 61 percent
of British Columbians surveyed oppose the imposition of a contract that freezes wages and increasesclasssize.Afurther80percentsupportthe appointment of an arbitrator to help resolve thesituation.
The BCTF did ask prior to Bill 22 being tabled for an independent mediator to be designated under the Labour Relations Board to try to bring both sides together and seek a resolution to the current impasseatthebargainingtable.ButMr.Abbottand Premier Clark refused, which clearly shows that the BC Liberals had no desire to allow the parties to get a deal and a legislated contract was alwaystheplan.
With just about every collective agreement in the public sector expiring in a few months there must be a united, common front across the public sector and all unions to obtain real improvements forpubicsectorworkersthatarelongoverdue.In early February CUPE held a regional strategic bargainingconferencefocusedondoingjustthat.DelegatesfromlocalsacrossBCincludingseveralfrom Local 15 urged increased participation in the BC Federation of Labour for greater coordination and called for the same across all sectors within ourunion.Attheendoftheconferencedelegatespresented many ideas on how to be successful in upcoming negotiations under a united workers’ mandate.
Bill 22 Doesn’t Improve Anything...by Paul Faoro, President
Update from your Executive
Greetings, and a belated happy InternationalWomen’sDay,whichwascelebratedonMarch8th.Therewere several dinners and other events
celebrating the contributions of women and shining a spotlight on issues that still need to be resolved.
Around the local, we saw our members at the Vancouver School Board out supporting the BC Teachers’ Federation (BCTF) who are currently on strike acrossBC.Theyjoined them on the
sidewalkandatralliesaroundtheprovince.This unique situation called for a lot of faith and solidarity.
Brother Faoro covers Bill 22 in detail in his President’s Message but I would like to comment onthereactionfrommembersattheVSB.They were anxious to support the teachers by standing with them on the line and many did join themontheirbreaks.Thelegislationputtheminan awkward position but they made the best of it by bringing soup, cookies, and other things to thelinetoshowtheirsolidarity.
Brother Paul Faoro, Sister Miriam Pulsifer, and I were pleased to be able to attend both the rally in Victoria and the rally at the Vancouver Art GalleryinVancouver.Thenumberofprivateandpublic sector unions represented at the rallies wasinspirational.Thewidespreadfrustrationisevident and union members across the province understand the long term devastation and underminingofourrightstooperateasunions.Ibelievethefighttoprotectthoserightshasjustbegun.
The City Stewards have adopted the steward line from the model used by the Vancouver School Board.Thislinewillenablememberstoleave
a message that is accessed by the steward on call.Stewardswillbeabletoaccesscallsontheirbreak,beforeoraftertheirshift,andinprivacy.Members at the City and School Board can reach astewardbycallingtheunionofficeandaskingtobeputthroughtothestewardline.
AttheJanuaryGeneralMembershipmeetingthe members approved moving the Annual General Membership meeting to April 30th asitconflictedwithCUPEBC’s49thannualconvention.
Annual executive elections take place at the AGM.Youwillfindadvancepollinformation(locations, dates, and times) elsewhere in this newsletter.Theadvancepollwillalsobeopenat the Italian Cultural Centre preceding the AGM whichstartsat5:30p.m.inRoom5.Rememberto bring your union card or recent paystub for identification.
If you have not yet received your 2012 union card pleasecontacttheunionofficetoverifyyourcorrectmailingaddress.
WWW.CUPE15.ORG CUPE Local 15, Vancouver Municipal Education and Community Workers
Letters, Notices, & Updates
noticesOn behalf of the members of the City et al Bargaining Committee I would like to extend greetings and provide you with this bargaining update as we continue to work on your behalf to achievearenewedcollectiveagreement.
We have met with the employer on a regular schedule of three days a week since February 6th and I am able to report that the process continues to remain respectful and appropriate given the level of knowledge and experience of theparties’committeemembers.
We have surveyed and conducted information gathering meetings with a number of members, in the Engineering department and with CSG Inspectors, who would be impacted by proposals around hours of work that the employer has tabled.CommencingtheweekofMarch26thwewill be conducting further surveys and meetings with members from other departments, who may be impacted, to ensure that we have all the information we require to respond appropriately totheemployer.
Our process this round has been divided between a traditional bargaining process, which sees the proposals passed across the table and the chief spokesperson for each side responding and a more open approach that allows for withoutprejudicediscussionsonissues.Thelatter approach ensures the parties are able to discuss and debate their respective proposals fully and at a minimum provides a more comprehensive understanding of the parties’ positions.
We have fully discussed a number of issues where we believe we have reached consensus and have set those issues aside as we continue to focus on the outstanding issues, which for union members include job security, seniority, andreclassification.Lengthoftermandmonetary issues will be addressed when the parties are closer to consensus on language proposals.
As previously arranged, March 7th was our last bargainingmeetingbeforeathreeweekbreak.DuringthisbreaktheemployerisscheduledtobeginbargainingwithCUPELocal1004onMarch12th, and our bargaining committee anticipates beingbackatthebargainingtablebythefirstweekofApril.Weremainoptimisticthatwewillcontinue to meet for at least 2 days a week until asettlementisreached.
Submitted by Betty McGee, Bargaining Committee Chair on behalf of the City et al Bargaining Committee
Bargaining Bulletin #2
City, Parks, Ray-Cam and Britannia
Notice of MotionThe Executive Board recommends the transferof34membersemployedbyVancouver Coastal Health from the Community Bargaining Association (CBA) and the Health Sciences Professional Bargaining Association (HSPBA)toCUPELocal4816inaccordancewithArticle3.6(a)(TransferofJurisdiction)oftheCUPENationalConstitution.
ExplanationBy Paul Faoro, President
All pharmacy services provided in the lower mainland by health authorities are being consolidated under the Fraser HealthAuthority.Asaresultthegroupof pharmacy employees working at the DowntownClinicPharmacycurrentlyrepresented by CUPE Local 15 will have tobetransferredtoCUPELocal4816sincetheLocal15certificationonlyapplies to employees of Vancouver CoastalHealth.Theemployeesinvolvedare designated as employees working at theDowntownClinicPharmacy.Thereare 6 FTE pharmacists in the HSPBA affected(but16individualsincludingcasuals)and7.4FTEpharmacyassistants(17 individuals including casuals) and an administrative assistant in the CBA affected,foratotalof14.4FTEor34individualemployees.ThechangeinemployertakeseffectasofMarch2,2012.
Article3.6(a)oftheCUPENationalConstitution states:(a) A Local Union may transfer all or part
of its jurisdiction to another Local Union if:(i) notice of motion to transfer
jurisdiction is given;(ii) the motion is approved by a
majority of members of the Local Union who vote at a membership meeting; and
(iii) in the case of a partial transfer, the motion is approved by a majority of members of the bargaining unit(s) being transferred who vote at a meeting.
Please note that only members from the HSPBA and CBA attending the March28thmembershipmeetingwillbeeligibletovoteonthismotion.
Notice of By-electionMember at Large – Health Sector (HSPBA)There is a vacancy for a Member at Large - HSPBA for the balance of a two yeartermendingonApril30,2012.Onlymembers from the HSPBA Sector are eligibletovote.
Health
The Community Bargaining Association Stands in Solidarity with TeachersThe Community Bargaining Association (CBA) metagainthisMarchinVancouver.Theunionbargaining association exchanged and discussed proposalsforthreedayswithHEABC.
The unions have been at the table for four weeks and are taking a two-week break to review the proposals and prepare for two weeks of bargaining attheendofMarch.
The CBA tabled proposals on workplace conditions, job security, training, as well as bereavement and specialleaves.
The union and the employer have agreed to some housekeepingitems.TheCBAspentsometimediscussing the government’s planned intervention into the teachers’ dispute and the teachers’ job action.AlltheUnionsexpressedsolidarityandsupportfortheBCTF.
Community health will resume bargaining for 2weekscommencingMarch19inVancouver.Additional dates are set for the last two weeks in April.
The Community Bargaining Association represents over14,000members,themajorityofwhomarerepresentedbytheBCGEU.OtherUnionsatthetableareUFCW,HEU,CUPE,HSA,andUSWA.CUPErepresents500membersinthisassociation.
Pharmacists’ Wage Rollback RescindedTalks at the Health Science Professionals bargaining table today opened with an announcement from the Health Employers’ Association of BC that the plan to roll back the temporary market adjustment forpharmacistshasbeenrescinded.
TheHSPBAapplaudedtheeffortsofhospitalpharmacists across the province who spoke out againstthe9to14percentwagerollbackplannedforApril1,2012announcedJanuary6.The almost 1,200 letters sent through the pharmacistsmatter.cawebsite,alongwiththeeffortsofpharmacistswhometwithMLAs,localhealth authorities, and who told their stories in the media, exerted the pressure needed for HEABC to reverseitsplanfortheunilateralwagerollback.
When the wage rollback was announced, pharmacists warned that hospitals across BC have beensufferingcriticalrecruitmentandretentionproblemsintheirpharmacydepartments.Inrecognitionofthesedifficulties,HEABCagreedin2006 to a market wage adjustment to stem the flowofpharmacistsawayfromBChospitals.
The market adjustment will be maintained for pharmacists until a new collective agreement is in place.
ON TWITTER!@paulfaoro Proud to endorse @nathancullen for #ndpldr! To save #union rights, #equality & our environment, wemustwinin2015.WithNathan,wewill.
@CUPEBCNEWS O’Neill: Government motto should be “for the people” not “screw the people.”#killBill22#cupe#bcpoli#bced
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Submitted by Leanne Toderian
All around the world there will be a celebration ofwomenonMarch8th.Thiscelebrationbeganinanefforttorecognizewomen’splaceinsociety.Youmayaskwhydowestillcelebratewomenorrecognizetheroletheyplay.Asyouknow there are many countries where atrocities arestillcommittedagainstwomenandchildren.
It all began to heat up in the early years of the 20th century when great unrest and critical debatewasoccurringamongstwomen.Women’s oppression and inequality was spurring
women to become more vocal and active in campaigning
for change.
Then in 1908,15,000
women marched
through New York
city demanding
shorter hours, better
pay and voting rights.
IWDisnowanofficialholidayinAfghanistan,Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, China (for women only), Cuba, Georgia,Guinea-Bissau,Eritrea,Kazakhstan,Kyrgyzstan,Laos,Madagascar(forwomenonly),Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Nepal (for women only), Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Zambia.
Across the Canadian workforce, studies show that women who are members of a union:• Earn39percentmoreinwages• Are twice as likely to have pensions • Are 25 per cent more likely to have paid sick
leave • Have 11 days more vacation and paid holidays • Have additional legal rights, stronger
job security and access to professional representation.
Events & Credits
The Members’ Voice is published nine times a year for members of CUPE Local 15 - Vancouver Municipal, Education andCommunityWorkers.TheDeadlineforsubmissionsis9:00a.m.onthefirstWednesdayofeachmonth.Allsubmissionsmaybeeditedforbrevityandclarity.SignedarticlesandlettersdonotnecessarilyreflecttheviewsorpolicyofCUPELocal15.
CUPE Local 15545West10thAvenueVancouver,BCV5Z1K9Phone:604-879-4671Fax: 604-879-7582Email: [email protected]:www.cupe15.org
CUPE National Representatives:JustinSchmid,TinaMeadows,MattYun,Rachna Singh
Designed by talkingdog.ca
Joinalumni,staff,parents,andoldclassmates as we celebrate this historic achievement on Friday, April 27, 2012 from 5:00-8:00p.m.at250SkeenaStreetinVancouver.
AnotheryearhaspassedandExecutiveBoardelectionsareontheagenda.Thetermofthesepositionsistwoyears(3yearsfortheTrustee).UptohalfoftheExecutiveiselectedeachyeartoensureconsistencyontheelectedboard.Thisyearthereareeightpositionsupfordemocraticrenewal.Theyare:• Secretary Treasurer (full time paid position)• 1st Vice President• City Sector Representative (1)• Park Board Representative (1)• College Sector Representative (1)• K-12SectorRepresentative(1)• Health Sector Representative – HSPBA (Paramedical) (1)• Trustee (1) To be eligible for the Secretary Treasurer, 1st Vice President or Trustee you must have attended at least50%ofthemembershipmeetingsinthepastyear.
Executive Elections - Advance Poll InformationApril 17, 2011, 9:00am-6:00pm, Robson Square Media Centre, 800 Robson Street, Vancouver
April 18, 2011 8:00am-5:00pm, Holiday Inn Vancouver Centre, 711 West Broadway, Vancouver
April 19, 2011 9:00am-6:00pm, Super 8 Hotel. 725 SE Marine Drive (at Fraser), Vancouver
April 30, 2011 8:00am-5:30pm, Italian Cultural Centre, 3075 Slocan Street, Vancouver
