CAMPBELL RIVER CHILDCARE | CHANGING LIBRARIES | NATIONAL CONVENTION | HUMAN & LABOUR RIGHTS
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE WINTER 2023-24
READY TO LEAD
CUPE BC’s new Presidents Academy is preparing local activists for their role
CENTRE SPREAD: Meet some of the faces behind B.C.’s second-longest transit strike
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LEADING US
KAREN RANALLETTA, PRESIDENT
A better B.C. is up to all of us Last year saw some amazing victories for CUPE members. From historic organizing wins at the University of British Columbia to substantial gains for our members at bargaining tables across B.C., and huge investments in key public services like libraries, emergency communications, and municipal Karen Ranalletta infrastructure, 2023 was a banner year. These victories would not have been possible without our provincial government led by Premier David Eby. Like many of you, I am prone to thinking about our BC NDP government as an advocate of the changes we all seek to improve our lives and our communities. But as I look towards an election next October—with the realization that we could face a change in government less than 10 months from now—I can’t help but reflect on the great work this government has done, and on the urgent need to see them re-elected.
Recognizing the wins Seven years in politics can seem like a lifetime, and we can so easily forget what our province looked like in 2017 when the BC NDP was first elected. This was a province with weak labour laws favouring employers, housing policy written by and for landlords, and countless other laws favouring the wealthy. But under the Horgan government, we quickly saw the elimination of MSP premiums, a restored ICBC with reduced car insurance costs, the cancellation of interest on student loans, and the scrapping of bridge tolls, along with huge investments in childcare, public services, and health care. All these are important achievements of the BC NDP government that we so easily take for granted today. While the years of the pandemic, and the resulting cost of living crisis, created new challenges and slowed progress on some issues, this fall’s legislative session has shown a renewed energy in
Victoria. On Premier Eby’s watch, ground-breaking legislation on housing affordability (including measures to open up thousands of new spaces for people to live that would otherwise be used for short-term rentals like Airbnb), along with free oral contraception and the creation of new green jobs, are just the kind of bold steps on key issues that working people have been longing to see. It is also critical to remember that, throughout these past seven years, we’ve been able to advocate for change that improves the lives of working people, working with a government that believes in fair wages, fair treatment, and the right to representation.
Stopping Kevin Falcon The 16 years of BC Liberal government were some of the worst for working people in our province’s history. Rather than investing our time in advocacy and bargaining to improve the lives of our members, we went to work every week during those years facing cuts, privatization, the rollback of labour rights, and attacks on our very right to exist. As a senior minister in that government, Kevin Falcon was an architect of the BC Liberals’ attack on unions and workers for more than a decade. Stopping Falcon and his re-branded BC Liberals (now called BC United) from returning to power in our province must be our greatest priority this year.
It’s up to us What government we face on October 20, 2024 is in our hands. If we do the work, we will see the return of a BC NDP government, opening the door to countless new victories for working people. Conversely: if we don’t act, we will turn the clock back to the darkest days of 2001, when we began to face daily attacks on our public services, the ripping up of our collective agreements, and the dismantling of services that people count on. The choice is ours. I hope you will join me in spending the next months working to re-elect our BC NDP government led by Premier David Eby. FOLLOW KAREN on Facebook and Instagram: @kranalletta
MEMBERS ON THE FRONT LINE
CUPE ACT ION
CUPE BC to host first Presidents Academy on leadership in February BURNABY | Like other organizations and workplaces in recent years, CUPE has seen a substantial turnover of executive positions within our locals. Changes in leadership can lead to a loss of knowledge and experience unless steps are taken to ensure that new executives get the support and learning they require. Starting this year, CUPE BC is stepping forward to help. In February, the Division will launch its newest service: the CUPE BC Presidents Academy. This week-long orientation for new local presidents, which will be held during the CLC Winter School (January 14 – February 16, 2024), will provide important and timely information for CUPE activists who are new to leading a local. EMPLOYEE “Being a local president is one of the hardest jobs in our union, and we want to ensure that they have all the READY support they need,” says CUPE BC TO LEAD Secretary-Treasurer Trevor Davies. Davies says the goal of the Presidents Academy is to support new presidents in successfully ON THE COVER Karen leading and operating their locals. Ranalletta and Trevor He hopes that, by week’s end, Davies, front, appear participants will have a clear idea with local CUPE of what it means to be president of presidents, from left: a CUPE local. The aim is to better Dawn Armstrong prepare them to navigate the labour (CUPE 3500), Bruce relations, political action, operational Campbell (CUPE 23), and administrative challenges they Randy Kootte (CUPE can expect to face. 561), Tina Dhami (CUPE 1767), and Joyce Davies says the Division intends to host the Academy annually. Henley (CUPE 3799). CAMPBELL RIVER CHILDCARE | CHANGING LIBRARIES | NATIONAL
CONVENTION | HUMAN & LABOUR RIGHTS
PUBLIC
WINTER 2023-24
CUPE BC’s new Presidents Academy is preparing local activists for their role
CENTRE SPREAD: Meet some of the faces behind B.C.’s second-longest transit
strike
READY TO SERVE CUPE 7000 launched a public awareness campaign in late summer to promote the work of SkyTrain attendants, whose broad and diverse range of duties keep the system running smoothly while enhancing rider experience. The campaign ran on SkyTrain platforms, digital billboards, and online digital and social media networks throughout the Lower Mainland over several weeks in September, October, and December.
ALL TOGETHER NOW October 13 saw CUPE members come out in force—including from as far away as UVic—for a noonhour rally in support of striking members of the Teaching Support Staff Union (TSSU). At the rally, sponsored by CUPE BC and CUPE Metro District Council, CUPE 3338 and other unionized workers at SFU’s three campuses renewed their pledge not to cross TSSU picket lines. The strike, which began on September 28, ended one week after the rally.
Welcome to CUPE! In 2023, CUPE successfully organized more than 1,300 workers throughout B.C. CUPE locals welcome members who work for the following organizations: CUPE 718
South Arm Community Association
CUPE 2278
University of British Columbia – Graduate Academic Assistants
CUPE 1004
Science World
CUPE 358
Cowichan Valley On-Call Fire Fighters
CUPE 7000
BC Rapid Transit Company Maintenance Planners
CUPE 2090
Sparwood Public Library
CUPE 3999
Kootenay Society for Community Living
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CUPE ACT ION
MEMBERS ON THE FRONT LINE
VOICES
CUPE MEMBERS IN THE MEDIA
“This is a fundamental change in how we provide paramedic services in these communities and will address how we respond to 911 calls, how we recruit and retain paramedics to work in smaller communities, and most importantly, how we can provide better care to our patients.” CUPE 873 President Jason Jackson, on the announcement that the Gabriola Island ambulance station, and those of 20 other communities in B.C., will shift to a full-time model that sees staff at the station 24/7 to ensure a 90-second response time. Gabriola Sounder, November 15, 2023. “Our members love serving the community they work and live in, but equally need to be able to support themselves and their families amid a rapidly rising cost of living…The relationship between the parties has grown stronger through bargaining, leaving us better able to work together for the benefit of the community.” CUPE 2262 President Dustin LePage, on a new three-year deal with the City of Castlegar that provides wage increases of 4.75 per cent, 4 per cent, and 3.25 per cent respectively, as well as improved employee benefits, more flexible workdays, and vacation improvements. My Kootenay Now, November 10, 2023. “We are pleased to have a new contract in place that better supports workers and helps to address the affordability challenges they face, and ensures improved service delivery for residents and businesses. We look forward to continuing to work with the city to provide quality public services in Delta.” CUPE 454 President Sam Abulail, on a new deal with the City of Delta that provides increases of 4.5 and 4 per cent, plus a one-time inflationary support payment. Delta Optimist, October 26, 2023. “We are pleased to have established standard processes in this round of negotiations, such as a dispute resolution process and a health and safety committee, that will better support workers and continue to ensure high-quality safety services for residents and businesses.” CUPE 358 President Jeff Parker, on the first collective agreement for the approximately 100 paid on-call fire-fighters in North Cowichan who voted to join CUPE earlier this year. Ladysmith Chemainus Chronicle, October 26, 2023. “Everybody and anyone can bring up a safety issue to their manager. And it’s not taboo. It’s a comfortable interaction. We’re moving in a direction where we’re trying to be a leader in local government. But it’s a team approach—safety cannot live on its own.” Former CUPE 402 member Satnam Chauhan, known as Surrey’s health and safety champion, comments on his induction into the OHS Canada Hall of Fame for his 26-year body of work. OHS Canada, October 6, 2023.
POWERFUL MESSAGE CUPE BC Executive Board, meeting just before National Truth and Reconciliation Day (September 30), wore Every Child Matters shirts provided by CUPE 50. The local worked with Victoria area and regional First Nations representatives, designers and vendors to create shirts that reflect CUPE 50’s commitment to Reconciliation.
CUPE locals bargain across multiple sectors CUPE locals continue to negotiate new collective agreements aimed at addressing the rising cost of living and providing more stability for workers while improving public services. Municipalities, Libraries: Multiple locals across the province negotiated new deals in the fall. Some took strike votes without taking job action before achieving new contracts, including members in New Westminster, Fruitvale and Castlegar. Municipal members in Squamish also took a strike vote in December. Post-Secondary: CUPE 4163 (University of Victoria teaching assistants, lab instructors, community leaders, and second language teachers) reached a new three-year agreement in February, followed quickly by CUPE 951 (UVic office, technicians, animal care assistants and childcare workers). In the Lower Mainland, CUPE 2950 library, clerical and theatre workers at the University of British Columbia reached a new deal, as did CUPE 3338 (Simon Fraser University campus support workers). Transit: B.C.’s second longest transit strike ended in July after four months with CUPE 561 First Transit/Transdev workers in the Fraser Valley reaching a mediated settlement. CUPE 4500 (Coast Mountain Bus Co. workers) in the Lower Mainland held a strike vote just before Public Employee went to press, and members working for BC Transit in the Capital Regional District were expected to begin bargaining in March. Agencies: In late November, CUPE 1622 members working for BC SPCA in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley took a strike vote before reaching a deal without taking job action.
MEMBERS ON THE FRONT LINE
CUPE ACT ION
Convention returns to Vancouver
FOR A BETTER FUTURE CUPE voices were front and centre at the BC NDP convention (November 17-19) supporting a progressive vision for a better B.C. Among the resolutions adopted by party members was one calling on the provincial government to expand CUPE BC’s vision for public seamless childcare in B.C. schools.
CUPE BC’s 2024 convention (April 24-27) will take place at the Westin Bayshore Hotel in Vancouver. As information, forms and deadlines become available, they will be posted on the CUPE BC website at: www.cupe.bc.ca/ convention-2024.
A RECIPE FOR FAIRNESS Members of CUPE 15-05 are coordinating a busy prebargaining campaign as they prepare to negotiate their next contract with Chartwells Canada. The campaign promotes fair wages and job security for Langara food service workers—some of the lowest paid workers on campus —which would allow members and their families to afford to live in the community they serve. From left: CUPE 15-05 members Sashi Lehman, Sarbrinder Mand, and Satinder Kandola.
GOOD PLANNING Following convention in April, CUPE BC gathered the new executive board at the union’s annual Think Tank in Harrison Hot Springs in July to set the action plan in motion (left). In October, members of the B.C. Division’s 21 committees gathered in Richmond to set priorities at the biennial One Big Committee Meeting.
Ryan Boyce named B.C.’s new Assistant Regional Director CUPE’s management team in B.C. welcomes Ryan Boyce as the new Assistant Regional Director. A long-time member of CUPE 394 (Richmond municipal outside workers), Boyce served his local as shop steward, vice-president and president before joining CUPE regional staff in 2016. His servicing assignments covered multiple sectors before he was named coordinator for CUPE’s transportation sector. On a few occasions before his formal appointment earlier in 2023, Boyce served as ARD in a temporary role.
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LINKING LABOUR
MARTINA BOYD, REGIONAL DIRECTOR
ADVOCATING JUSTICE For CUPE staff including, from left, Human Rights Representative Sarah Cibart, B.C. Regional Director Martina Boyd, and Legal Representative Dora Tsao, the work to harmonize human rights with labour rights in the workplace is never ending, and a top priority.
HUMAN RIGHTS ARE LABOUR RIGHTS
How collective agreements can make a difference in the fight against hate Since the start of the global pandemic, we’ve all witnessed the disturbing increase in hate-motivated crimes of violence and vandalism, as well as a rise in hate-motivated speech, harassment, and bullying. Horrible incidents of racism, homo- and transphobia, misogyny, and religious bigotry occur almost everywhere, with witnesses present. Even Martina Boyd where we work. When it comes to our workplaces, unions can make a big difference in the fight against hate. Not only are we well suited to defend our members against individual and collective discrimination in the workplace, of which hate-motivated harassment and bullying are the most extreme form; we are also legally obligated to do so, and we take that obligation seriously.
The inclusion of human rights protections in CUPE collective agreements is intentional on our part. We are, after all, an organization committed to protecting the rights of our members, including their human rights. This is entirely consistent with one of our foundational principles as a union: the conviction that an injury to one is an injury to all. We could not embrace this principle on one hand while tolerating workplace hate speech or behaviour on the other. Unions are also obligated to follow Section 14 of the Human Rights Code, which prohibits discrimination by a trade union on protected grounds including race, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity. Under the Labour Relations Code, unions must also represent members in a manner that is not arbitrary, in bad faith, or discriminatory. The Labour Board has interpreted this requirement as consistent with prohibitions on discrimination under the Human Rights Code.
Enshrining protection in our contracts
Notwithstanding these legal obligations and duties, we also defend our members’ human rights in the workplace because trade unions exist to build workers’ power and defend individual workers’ rights against wrongdoing and injustice in the workplace. As with other progressive labour principles, it is always our hope that progress made in the workplace will translate into better public policy for everyone in the community. In so many other areas—wages and benefits, basic working conditions, occupational health and safety, to name a few—the labour movement has set the standard for the rest of society to follow. It is all the more important, then, that we not only recognize our obligation to protect members from hate-motivated workplace harassment and bullying, but that we take advantage of every opportunity to stop hate in its tracks—wherever it appears.
Nearly all CUPE collective agreements (CAs) have language guaranteeing all workers a harassment- and discrimination-free workplace. For anti-discrimination language, many of our CAs mirror the BC Human Rights Code – and that’s been the case for decades. Even where we don’t have specific language, arbitrators and the courts—including the Supreme Court of Canada—have held that arbitrators have the jurisdiction to interpret and apply the BC Human Rights Code where a union alleges that there was discrimination in the workplace. And CUPE national representatives and specialists have the knowledge, training, and expertise to recognize hate-motivated workplace harassment or bullying.
Doing the right thing
NATIONAL CONVENTION
CUPE FOCUS
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B.C. delegates front and centre as CUPE turns 60 CUPE’s National Convention (October 23-27, Quebec City), was the first to be held in-person since 2019. It was the largest convention in CUPE’s history, with more than 2,400 delegates. During the week, four B.C. leaders were elected to the National Executive Board: Mark Hancock, for his fifth term as National President; Karen Ranalletta, elected as a General Vice-President; Debra Merrier, re-elected as Diversity-Vice-President, Indigenous Workers; Trevor Davies, elected as Regional Vice-President, and Hospital Employees’ Union President Barb Nederpel re-elected as Regional Vice-President.
WELCOME TO QUÉBEC Delegates celebrated CUPE’s sixtieth anniversary at the union’s first convention held in Quebec City in ten years. From left: B.C.’s large floor presence was felt throughout the week; delegates attend a rally at Quebec’s national assembly, in support of 400,000 Common Front public sector workers, in the countdown to a oneday strike; and former CUPE President Judy Darcy, serving as elections officer, congratulates Mark Hancock on being elected to a fifth term in that office.
WELL REPRESENTED CUPE members in B.C. had many experienced advocates working on their behalf in Québec. From left: Debra Merrier was re-elected as national Diversity Vice-President (Indigenous Workers); Trevor Davies was elected, and Hospital Employees’ Union President Barb Nederpel re-elected, as Regional Vice-President; and CUPE 15 President Warren Williams was a passionate presence at the mic during key debates.
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MEMBER SOLIDARITY
Committed all the way Meet some of the Fraser Valley transit workers who stepped up to lead the second longest transit strike in B.C. history For four long months last year, CUPE 561 members working for First Transit/Transdev stood strong on the picket lines during a job action aimed at narrowing the wage gap with other transit workers and winning a pension. These workers, who operate BC Transit’s buses in the Valley, never wavered, maintaining the public’s support for the duration of the strike before ultimately achieving their goals. While the strong sense of solidarity within the unit was due to the extraordinary efforts of the bargaining and strike committees, a few members stood out for inspiring their fellow transit workers in different ways. Here are their stories. PHOTOS COURTESY OF CUPE 561
Member: Emmett Present Years with First Transit/CUPE 561: 3 Strike role: Picket sign artist Before becoming a bus driver, Emmett was a tattoo artist. He’d long since lost his passion for drawing but, once the strike began and he picked up a couple of Sharpies to help fill out some CUPE picket signs, it wasn’t long before he was asked to design every sign for all picket lines and public events. The request reignited Emmett’s lost passion by giving his talent a purpose. Some of his designs were earnest expressions of solidarity (such as one drawing of a sunrise behind a mountain with the words “We are community”), while others pushed the boundaries of satire to emphasize the gap between member wages and the employer (depicted with a donkey image). The picket signs proved so popular that a couple disappeared, no doubt ending up in someone’s personal art collection. As the strike wore on, Emmett’s distinctive and colourful artwork made CUPE 561 picket lines, rallies, and other events instantly recognizable to the public.
Member: Akhil Sankar Years with First Transit/CUPE 561: 5 Strike role: Photographer/videographer An amateur photographer, Akhil decided to apply his skills on the picket line soon after the strike began. Taking photos of members and sharing them in the Local’s online group chat, he received much positive feedback about their quality. As Akhil explains, his intention when taking someone’s photo is to make sure they smile when they see the image. While he’s shooting, he’s always aware of what’s in the background, recognizing how lighting and different angles can improve a photo. He had never done videos before, so when he was asked to produce some clips for Instagram and Twitter, he happily agreed. Visiting picket lines with his camera and chatting with members, he captured their stories for short videos that were widely shared on social media, giving the public a closer look at the people behind the strike and their lives.
MEMBER SOLIDARITY
Member: Rajan Dogra Years with First Transit/CUPE 561: 1 Strike role: Picket line chef/“The Omelette Guy” The strike committee was always coming up with ideas to boost member morale, and one was to hold a weekly breakfast in Abbotsford. The first time they did it, 52 people—a quarter of the membership—showed up. Attendance increased over the following weeks, building solidarity as members got to meet others and share stories. At first, the plan was just to serve pancakes and scrambled eggs. But Rajan—an accomplished chef whose cooking background includes Indian and Hawaiian cuisine—served up delicious omelettes instead. That’s how the weekly omelette bar was born. Since the strike ended, members fondly recall those Wednesday morning breakfasts and the sense of togetherness that “The Omelette Guy” facilitated. As a relatively new member, Rajan did not know many of his coworkers before the strike. But that has changed: members now stop to chat with him more as a friend than as a coworker.
Member: Betty Marshall Years with First Transit/CUPE 561: 20 Strike role: Strike committee member One of CUPE 561’s most experienced members, Betty has a long history of involvement as shop steward, member of multiple committees, and many other roles over the years. During the strike, she helped coordinate various logistics including organizing picket lines, arranging equipment loans, and bringing supplies to the line. Behind the scenes much of the time, Betty was the go-to member the Local relied on to get whatever the moment required. As the strike wore on, she was a huge morale booster for Chilliwack members: bringing food and water to the picket lines, covering shifts as needed, and doing whatever it took to keep things running smoothly. Members appreciated her homemade egg salad sandwiches and baked goods, which she frequently brought to the line. And she’ll never forget “Pete,” the giant, stuffed red Toucan that a member gifted to the committee and which became the official strike mascot.
Member: Elizabeth Roux Years with First Transit/CUPE 561: 12 Strike role: Strike coordinator, committee chair, public spokesperson For anyone who followed the CUPE 561 strike in the media, Elizabeth was the First Transit unit’s most recognizable member, having the highest visibility throughout the dispute. She became its public face as chief spokesperson for members on the line, key liaison with community organizations, and indispensable bridge between her local and the national union. Behind the scenes, she did it all: coordinating picket line schedules, sending e-mail bulletins to members, advising local police of strike-related public events (while co-organizing those same, morale-boosting activities), doing media interviews, and serving as sounding board for stressed-out members. Elizabeth recalls the strike as exhausting at times but rewarding for the opportunity it gave her to make a difference, forcing her to call upon skills she didn’t think she would need during the strike. Elizabeth is grateful for the support she received in this leadership role—a role she never sought out, she says, but had thrust upon her.
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CUPE FOCUS
CHILDCARE CAMPAIGN
Taking the lead for B.C. families A partnership between CUPE 723 and School District 72 is delivering critical childcare services for families CAMPBELL RIVER | It all started with school support workers taking an idea to the Campbell River school board: tap into School District 72’s pool of education assistants to help fill the community’s desperate need for childcare. Just three years later, the District is providing 210 new spots for before- and after-school childcare while building seven childcare centres. The spots in six of the centres are being staffed, and these buildings will be maintained, by CUPE 723 members. “It is truly trying to cater to both the needs of parents and our community and the needs of our members for more hours,” CUPE 723 President Andrea Craddock says of the newly expanded childcare program.
Green light from the District It was Craddock who first presented the idea to the District, striking a chord with interim superintendent Philip Cizmic. “He jumped in with both feet—he saw our vision,” says Craddock, who worked closely with Cizmic on making the idea a reality. Cizmic spearheaded the District’s foray into offering before- and after-school childcare and worked with CUPE 723 to ensure that the program is staffed by CUPE members. “We recognized the skill set our education assistants have that they can bring to childcare,” says Cizmic. “We recognized that we had an underemployed portion of our workforce that could help us address a community in need. We knew we’d never find anyone better to meet the needs of our students.”
A good fit for kids—and workers The before- and after-school childcare spots were open for students at the start of this school year, using existing space in Campbell River schools while the new centres were being built. “It’s great. I love it. It’s a good fit,” says Amber Robinson, a 12-year education assistant who is now staffing the before-school care at Ripple Rock Elementary. “I think it’s great for the community. We hear from the parents dropping their kids off in the morning that this has been a void in our community.”
READY FOR KIDS CUPE 723 President Andrea Craddock poses in front of the new Ripple Rock Elementary childcare centre, set for completion early this year (top). Above, from left: Kendra Knutson, Peggie Dick, and Amber Robinson are CUPE 723 Education Assistants who are now working full-time hours, thanks to before- and after-school childcare work.
Seamless Childcare Now! Local 723’s work in Campbell River is part of CUPE BC’s province-wide campaign for seamless childcare, a model of before- and after-school care integrated into public schools and delivered by CUPE members. CUPE BC launched the campaign in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, when school districts were called upon to provide childcare services directly. The campaign has grown since then, attracting more than 5,000 supporters as well as high-profile endorsements (including the City of Vancouver and Vancity Credit Union), while producing hundreds of new childcare spaces. To find out more, and to add your name to the long list of supporters, visit seamlesschildcarenow.ca.
GUEST COLUMN
An evolving institution
Rina Hadziev addresses delegates at CUPE BC’s 2023 convention in Victoria.
As libraries have changed over the past century, so too has the work that sustains them The BC Library Association represents libraries and library workers from across the province. Founded over 100 years ago, we have played a steady, progressive and relevant role as an essential part of B.C.’s library environment. Of course, many of our members are also CUPE members! Our members work at public libraries in local communities, as well as at academic libraries Rina Hadziev in colleges and universities. They also work in school libraries, and in special libraries at hospitals, law offices, government ministries, and more. While the work in each library looks different, the workers all share the same purpose: to support the people they serve by connecting them with the information they need.
Some libraries have kitchens for teaching food literacy; others have gardens and partner with local First Nations to teach about native plants. Many libraries offer opportunities for 3D printing, audio recording, and other ways for people to not just consume information but also interact with or create it. The best libraries combine new services with those that are timeless. In this province, one of our most enduring programs is the BC Summer Reading Club. Since 1990, the club has been a tradition for children and their families, as well as for public library workers.
Creating new readers
Every year, thousands of children and families participate in the club, which encourages children to read over the summer and celebrates their successes with fun activities and prizes. Much more to offer This free, fun program happens in more than 200 communities A lot has changed over the past 100 years. Libraries throughout the province. Through its have always offered paper books (books aren’t sponsorship of the club, CUPE BC has made While the work in each going anywhere!) but now they lend audiobooks and it possible for children who participate to get library looks different, e-books, too. They also lend video games, musical a medal; families tell us that this motivates the workers all share the instruments, fishing rods, birding kits, tools, radon their children to read, making them feel detectors, robots, and so much more. Sometimes successful and special. same purpose: to support they even lend out people: under the Human Library We can’t begin to imagine all the creative the people they serve by concept, people can “borrow” someone, meeting ways that library workers will meet the connecting them with the with them one-on-one to hear about their unique life diverse needs of their communities over experiences. information they need. the next 100 years, but we know they Libraries also offer a wide range of programs to will continue to connect people with the connect people with the information they need. Academic libraries information they need to thrive—and to make children feel like have therapy dogs during exam time to help students with stress, and champions. public libraries bring in therapy dogs to help children who struggle Rina Hadziev (she/her) is executive director of the British with reading. Columbia Library Association.
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CUPE COMMUNITIES
MEMBERS MAKING A DIFFERENCE
HARM REDUCTION CHAMPIONS CUPE 5536 President Andy Healey attends the 20-year anniversary celebration for insite, North America’s first supervised injection site, on September 14. CUPE members have been providing life-saving services at insite, which received more than four million visits and responded to more than 17,000 overdoses in its first two decades. GREAT TUNES Staffing the CUPE BC tent at last summer’s Vancouver Folkfest (July 14-16) were, from left, CUPE Research representative Anusha Balram, CUPE BC Regional Vice-President (Metro Vancouver) Sarah Bjorknas, and Carmel Edmonds, now recording secretary for CUPE 5536.
Tackling period poverty together
MASTER STROKES CUPE 105 member Ann Marie Vandermeer (middle), a lifeguard instructor for the City of Prince Rupert, participated in last year’s B.C. Senior Summer Games. She won seven medals, including gold in the 50-metre backstroke (completing in 44 seconds), as part of Team Prince Rupert.
BIG MILESTONE President Karen Ranalletta, showing up with CUPE BC’s new van, joined members of CUPE 1123 (Okanagan Regional Library workers) in Kelowna on September 24 to celebrate the local’s 55th anniversary.
United Way’s Period Promise campaign—presented by Pacific Blue Cross in partnership with CUPE 1816—increases free access to menstrual products so that everyone can go to work, get to school, access services, and stay connected to their community while maintaining their menstrual health. Last year’s campaign achieved remarkable results, exemplifying the power of collective action in addressing period poverty. Communities across B.C. collected more than 500,000 menstrual products at 73 collection sites and raised more than $53,000 to support the initiative. This year, CUPE BC is the campaign’s provincewide collection sponsor.
IN THE COMMUNITY CUPE 4165 members joined the parade at the Spirit of the Rockies, Cranbrook’s longest-running community festival. The beloved event brings residents together for live entertainment and family activities, including logger’s sports demonstrations, a strong man competition, and a fan favourite: the wiener dog races.
MEMBERS MAKING A DIFFERENCE
SHOWING RESPECT Metro Regional Vice-President Donald Grant and CUPE 15 member Elder Sam George place CUPE BC’s wreath at the Indigenous Veteran’s Day event in Vancouver (top). On September 24, Diversity Vice-President (Indigenous Workers) Debra Merrier joined CUPE 728 shop steward Amanda Hailey and her daughter at the Red Dress gathering at Bear Creek Park in Surrey (Hospital Employees’ Union photo).
CUPE COMMUNITIES
B.C.-WIDE PRIDE Throughout the province last summer, 2SLGBTQ+ CUPE members and their allies gathered in various communities to celebrate diversity and acceptance of sexual and gender minorities. Above, CUPE members march in Prince George. Below, members from throughout the Lower Mainland gathered for Vancouver’s Pride event.
HIGH VISIBILITY A strong contingent of CUPE representatives attended this year’s Union of BC Municipalities convention (September 18-22) in Vancouver, improving awareness of CUPE members’ work in communities and building important relationships with decision-makers.
CELEBRATING WORKERS Members of CUPE 23 greeted the public and shared information about the labour movement at the Lower Mainland’s Labour Day event on September 4.
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POWER IN NUMBERS
TREVOR DAVIES, SECRETARY-TREASURER
Paying our dues — literally and otherwise Happy New Year, everyone! Here are a few things on my mind as we roll up our sleeves at CUPE BC and jump right into 2024:
President John Burrows after 46 years as a member and 29 as local president. CUPE 50 is a neighbour to my home local, CUPE 374. When I was a new president, John was a big inspiration and source of knowledge I could always rely on. He is a major reason I was able to grow, and thus improve as a local president. He taught Making finances easier me some key lessons during those years that continue to assist CUPE BC is currently in the testing me today. Thank you, John, for all you have done for Local 50 phase for our new online per capita members and for CUPE members across B.C. system, which will give local presidents There’s also a couple of long-term CUPE staffers to whom Trevor Davies and treasurers the ability to complete we’re bidding farewell—both, like John, with Vancouver Island per capita transactions to CUPE BC with greater efficiency. The hope connections. is to build a modern platform that not only solves the problems of Ian Mclean was a long-time member of CUPE 358, the Cowichan today but also serves as a foundation for local activists to complete municipal local whose bargaining committee he joined within their financial tasks and support their members with minutes of voting for his workplace to unionize. more efficiency and flexibility. The modernization After working in maintenance and various positions “The funds we donate of our services is a big opportunity to support including Zamboni driver, he first came to CUPE to members in critical local activists by reducing their work demands and staff in 1998 as an education rep. Ian was a temp need can be both creating a better work/life balance. for five years, working at every CUPE office in emotionally difficult and B.C.—including two that no longer exist—before How we donate inspirational to arrange.” serving as coordinator for Community Social One subject I often get asked about as secretaryServices, Transportation, Colleges, and private treasurer relates to how we spend our money. agencies. As a national CSU lead steward and Outside of operations, one important area is donations. CUPE president of CSU BC-1, Ian was a proud mentor to younger BC donates more than $300,000 per year to a variety of causes, colleagues before his retirement last spring. charities, and campaigns. The size of donations ranges from the Ian’s co-conspirator in instigating the CUPE “friendly” hockey significant, such as our sponsorship of the BC Summer Reading match for members and staff, which has become something of a Program, to the smaller, such as our donations to organizations like pre-convention tradition, also happens to be retiring this year. the BC Labour Heritage Centre. With the exception of two issues during a leave of absence, The funds we donate to members in critical need can be both Communications representative (and Nanaimo native) Dan emotionally difficult and inspirational to arrange. Through a request Gawthrop has edited every issue of Public Employee since he by their local president, members in dire hardship—those who have began working for CUPE in the summer of 2004— that’s 56 in lost their home to an environmental disaster, been diagnosed with a total, including this one. Coming to us from a career in journalism terminal illness, or lost a child—can be eligible for funds to support (and a few stints with HEU), Dan spent seven years in the B.C. them during their most difficult time. In 2023, CUPE BC donated Division assignment before turning to local comms for every close to $20,000 to roughly 40 members who needed support from CUPE sector not named K-12, Colleges, Universities, or Municipal. their union. I’m proud we were able to offer our support. Now he’s quitting his day job to write a follow-up to his first So long, farewell! novel, Double Karma. Or another non-fiction book (his sixth). We always seem to have a few big retirements to highlight, but We thank Ian and Dan for their respective contributions to CUPE maybe none bigger than the recent departure of long-time Local 50 over the decades and wish them all the best on their retirements.
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PUBLISHED BY
Canadian Union of Public Employees, British Columbia Division 410 – 6222 Willingdon Ave. Burnaby, B.C. V5H 0G3 POSTAL AGREEMENT # 42016512 T: 604.291.9119 TOLL FREE: 1.877.263.8568 E: info@cupe.bc.ca PRESIDENT
Karen Ranalletta SECRETARY-TREASURER
Trevor Davies EDITOR
Dan Gawthrop EDITORIAL TEAM
Celebrating 20 years of providing health benefits to K-12 support staff
Steven Beasley Kathryn Davies Greg Taylor Jessica Wilkin PHOTOS
The Public Education Benefits Trust (PEBT) was created as a result of bargaining and is operated by a Board of Trustees representing school districts and CUPE support staff workers. The Trust provides health and well-being programs for support staff, and trustees are responsible for administering a Long Term Disability (LTD) plan and a joint early-return-to-work program (JEIS) with monies received from the provincial government for that purpose. It’s been 20 years since the PEBT first started providing LTD and JEIS. “Previously, most locals at the time had 1.5 days per month sick time; if ill, that didn’t last, there was no safety net,” explains Tracey Dahlin, a union trustee since 2018. K-12 support staff can rest easy knowing they have access to fully funded LTD benefits and programs like JEIS. “Members need to know that the union fought for this, for future generations, and that the government continues to contribute annually for LTD and JEIS,” says Dahlin. The joint aspect is what makes PEBT successful. “You have to work together – bringing together the union and employer for the common good of members”, adds Dahlin. The importance of PEBT to the sector is evident when you look at the many positively impacted lives since its inception. Both the employer and union agree that the PEBT provides an important safety net for members. Together, through joint Trusteeship, they will work to keep the programs sustainable for years to come. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT www.pebt.ca
CUPE Communications Josh Berson Carissa Taylor COVER PHOTO
Josh Berson GRAPHIC DESIGN
Pete Tuepah and Nadene Rehnby, Hands On Publications
CUPE BC acknowledges that our province of British Columbia is located on the homelands of Indigenous nations and cultures.
DELIVERING THE PUBLIC SERVICES AND EDUCATION THAT BUILD STRONG COMMUNITIES CUPE BC IS BRITISH COLUMBIA’S LARGEST UNION, AND OUR MORE THAN 100,000 MEMBERS ARE PROUD TO SERVE THE COMMUNITIES THEY WORK AND LIVE IN.
CUPE.BC.CA Ready to make a change in your workplace? Contact CUPE Organizing to take the first step towards fair compensation, better work-life balance, and job security.
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