$10 A DAY CHILD CARE | CUSTODIAN CAMPAIGN | MORE PARAMEDICS | LOCAL 1978 HEROES
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE SPRING 2017
TIME FOR A
CHANGE
STEPPING UP TO BUILD A BETTER B.C.
Make sure you’re registered to vote: elections.bc.ca
Advance polls begin April 29!
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LEADING US
PAUL FAORO, PRESIDENT
On May 9, here’s something to vote for RATHER THAN JUST TURFING CHRISTY CLARK, LET’S ELECT A GOVERNMENT THAT WORKS FOR ALL OF US If you’ve read any of my columns since I became CUPE BC’s president, you’ll know I believe this province badly needs a new government. In just a few weeks we’ll have an opportunity on May 9 to give Christy Clark and her BC Liberals their pink slips, replacing them with a progressive government that’s there for working people and their families. I’ve talked a lot about why I think the Paul Faoro BC Liberals of Christy Clark — and Gordon Campbell before her — have taken us down the wrong road. I remain extremely concerned that a fourth term for this government would have a significant negative impact on CUPE members, particularly in the municipal sector, as I wrote in the last Public Employee. That said, while there are many negative reasons to defeat Christy Clark and the Liberals, there are at least as many positive reasons to vote for John Horgan and the BC NDP.
A change for the better I’ve known John for more than 10 years, but I’ve gotten to know him much better in the past two since he was elected leader. I am completely confident that he will be a great premier and that the slate of NDP candidates (eight of whom — all sisters — are part of the CUPE family) will form a government that’s there for all of us, not just the wealthy and well-connected. Here are just a few excellent reasons to elect John Horgan and the BC NDP as our next premier and government: · As his first act, John will get the big money out of politics by banning corporate and union donations for political parties and putting a cap on individual donations. · John and the BC NDP will phase out Medical Services Plan premiums altogether. B.C. is the only province that charges this tax. The BC NDP will make sure the richest British Columbians and big corporations pay their fair share.
The power of collective action — evident on January 21 when this Vancouver crowd joined nearly 5 million people worldwide to protest U.S. president Donald Trump — will be critical for B.C. on May 9. · Recognizing the importance of child care as an important support for families and a key economic driver, John will bring in a $10-per-day child care plan. · John will return B.C. to the forefront of leadership on the issue of climate change by introducing a comprehensive climate action plan — creating good paying jobs, improved transit and transportation, and sparking economic growth. · A BC NDP government will also make sure B.C. finally implements a poverty reduction plan, which will include increasing the minimum wage to $15 per hour so that people who work (60 percent of minimum wage workers are women) aren’t trapped in a vicious cycle of below-poverty wages. John will also regulate high-interest payday loans, and support new co-operative housing construction. Those are just a few of the commitments that John Horgan and the NDP have made — you can read about many more at bcndp.ca — and the party’s election platform hadn’t been released as this issue went to print.
Time for optimism, determination As I said above, I really believe that the BC Liberal government deserves to be defeated on its record alone. Whether it’s the wreckage of their 15-year war against the public education system, the tragic deaths of youth in care, the vandalism of their privatization agenda, or their blatant disregard for the needs of workers, this government has got to go. These are compelling enough reasons to vote against the BC Liberal candidate in your riding. And I hope we all remember those reasons as we head to the polls on May 9. But let’s also head to those polls with a sense of optimism and determination, knowing that we are on the verge of electing a progressive government that will stand for all British Columbians, not just the privileged few. On a final note, congratulations to CUPE 1858 member Sarah Ogden, who works at Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo. She’s the lucky winner of our prize draw for the Public Employee survey. Sister Ogden can contact the BC Division office to claim some fabulous CUPE BC swag! FOLLOW PAUL ON TWITTER @PaulFaoro
MEMBERS ON THE FRONT LINE
CUPE ACT ION
Back-in-house pilot projects underway
ACTING LOCALLY New mother Kelly Davison was planning to knit a “pussy” hat and wear it on January 21. Then she got together with a friend to organize a local march. PHOTO KELLY DAVISON
Local 2254 member brings Women’s March to the Kootenays GRAND FORKS | In the wake of the U.S. presidential election, CUPE 2254 member Kelly Davison was looking for a way to transcend all the negativity and despair resulting from it. On Facebook, she learned about the Women’s March on Washington and decided to organize an event for her own community. “I wanted to be positive and bring some hope,” says Davison, recalling how she brought the women’s march to Grand Forks. Approximately 130 people from all walks of life took part, including some locals who had never participated in collective action. CUPE BC Regional Vice-President (Kootenays) Ken Vaughn Evans drove in from Creston to support the march, bringing CUPE flags. Attendees heard from various speakers, and a First Nations warrior woman’s song by Samantha Mercer-White and her mother, before setting off on a march route that took two loops around the downtown core. Davison’s colleagues waved their support from the library’s front door. After the march, people went to the library to continue their conversation. Davison says that organizing the Women’s March was an empowering experience. “It brought a better sense of community,” she says. “It was great to meet all these people and hear their stories.”
PRINCE GEORGE | CUPE BC’s AntiContracting Out Committee has launched a new pilot project aimed at helping CUPE locals around the province bring work back in house. Three CUPE locals were chosen to participate in the initiative this year. CUPE 399 (Prince George Outside Civic Workers), the first local to get its campaign underway, is focusing on bringing traffic control services in house. The local believed that having traffic control services in house would be safer. After looking into the issue, they found not only a safety concern, but also that the City had a hard time finding reliable traffic control services.
“Our proposal to have traffic control services in house will ensure that all flaggers are properly trained and that the City has enough flaggers at any given time. By having this service in house, the City will have the flexibility and reliability they need to ensure all CUPE members are safe,” says CUPE 399 Vice-President Diana Forfar. Through the pilot project the Local was able to put together a proposal, submit it to the City for consideration, and organize four weeks of transit advertising that publicly showcased the safe, reliable services that CUPE 399 members provide in their community.
BRINGING IT HOME CUPE 399 launched a four-week transit advertising campaign to support the local’s efforts to bring traffic control services in house. The union’s proposal to bring flaggers in house focused on improved safety standards and a more reliable service. SEASON OF CHANGE
Saunders, union elections, new Diversity seats to highlight CUPE BC’s 54th annual Convention VICTORIA | More than 600 delegates will converge on the provincial capital April 26 to 29 for CUPE BC’s 54th annual convention. In addition to great keynote speakers like AFSCME President Lee Saunders, a rambunctious orator who will no doubt rouse delegates with his update on life in Trump’s America, this year’s B.C. Division convention will feature a number of new developments for our union. First, electronic voting will replace paper ballots. For the first time, all “at-large” positions (president, secretary-treasurer,
four general vice presidents and a trustee) will be elected by electronic ballot. At last year’s convention, delegates approved the establishment of two new Diversity vicepresident positions. A DVP representing Pink Triangle (LGBTTI) workers and one for Workers with Disabilities will be elected for the first time this year. For access to all convention documents and news, delegates — and members who want to follow along from home — should download and install the convention app on their mobile device. Wifi and charging stations will be provided for delegates.
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CUPE ACT ION
MEMBERS ON THE FRONT LINE
VOICES
CUPE MEMBERS IN THE MEDIA “You can share your story on social media with the hashtag #bcedkey or have a conversation with individual candidates. Suggested topics include their plan to address increased funding to ensure quality public educational programs and resources [and] the need for safe and well maintained buildings in which to learn.”
— CUPE 716 President Ross McLuskie, in a letter to the editor with four other signatories from education stakeholder groups. The letter called on community leaders to make candidates commit to quality public education as their top priority in the May 9 election.
Through paramedics’ eyes RICHMOND | Imagine a world with more paramedics. That’s the message of a hard-hitting, province-wide campaign the Ambulance Paramedics and Emergency Dispatchers of BC (CUPE 873) have launched to raise public awareness about the distress calls that emergency dispatchers answer every day. “This campaign brings the public up close and personal to B.C.’s most common public issues and medical emergencies, seen through the eyes of B.C.’s paramedics,” said CUPE 873 President Bronwyn Barter. For more info on the multi-platform campaign, visit moreparamedics.com. The public can also submit ambulance response times at paramedicsin859.com. NOT ENOUGH Despite commitments to adequately fund emergency health services, the government hasn’t kept up with increased demand for B.C.’s ambulance service.
Richmond News, March 15, 2017. “We’ve been talking about it and fighting for this at the UBCM (Union of BC Municipalities), and it’s something I always advocated for because I was from here. I’ve talked with a lot of mayors and a lot of mayors went out and advocated for the program.” — CUPE 873 President Bronwyn Barter, in an interview in Trail, explains how the Ambulance Paramedics of BC got the ball rolling for the Community Paramedicine Initiative, a B.C. program that expands the role of paramedics to provide basic healthcare services at home in rural communities. Trail Daily Times, February 1, 2017. “I would think that if it’s going to continue to be a warming centre for the homeless, that the park board will do something to make sure that there are trained people in the facilities to assist if needed. That’s what I would hope would happen.” — CUPE 15 President Warren Williams, responding to a failed attempt by NPA Park Board members to close a warming shelter at the West End Community Centre, suggests that the Board instead provide more staff for the shelter. Vancouver Sun, January 14, 2017. “The cuts she has been making to education — beginning when she was education minister in 2001 — may be the most cruel because they hurt children who are just starting out in life.” — CUPE 523 President Sylvia Lindgren, an education assistant commenting on Christy Clark and the BC Liberal record, offers one of the reasons she’s running for the BC NDP to become the next MLA for Shuswap. Vernon Morning Star, January 9, 2017.
NEW DATES FOR CUPE FALL SCHOOL Due to CUPE BC’s One Big Committee Meeting this coming October 18 and 19, the dates for CUPE’s week-long Fall School have changed. Since the previous dates coincided with that first major gathering of B.C. Division committees, CUPE’s Union Development department has shifted the Fall School to the week of October 29 through November 3 at the Coast Bastion Hotel in Nanaimo.
MEMBERS ON THE FRONT LINE
CUPE ACT ION
BC LIBERALS STRIKE OUT WITH “FORGET EVERYTHING” BUDGET
MAKING IT WORK CUPE 7000 members — from left, control operator Bill Magri, attendants Cheri Cogman and Greg Thomas, and control operators Tevi Dawson and Annalise Hunt — are featured in a public awareness video about SkyTrain workers.
Putting a face to SkyTrain work BURNABY | CUPE 7000, representing 750 SkyTrain employees in operations, maintenance and administration, released a video in late February that highlights the work its members do in serving 250,000 Lower Mainland commuters a day. “Making SkyTrain Work” features two SkyTrain attendants and three SkyTrain control operators talking about their jobs, some of the challenges they face and possible solutions, including recommendations to their employer.
A week earlier, CUPE 7000 members ratified a three-year collective agreement with BC Rapid Transit Company. “This video is aimed at putting a public face to the people who keep the SkyTrain system running while giving voice to our members about the work they do and the challenges they face on a daily basis,” said CUPE 7000 President Bill Magri, a control operator who appears in the video. “Making SkyTrain Work” can be viewed at: cupe.bc.ca/making_skytrain_work
With their final budget before this year’s election, the BC Liberals seemed to be saying “re-elect us and we’ll fiddle with MSP premiums.” CUPE research, communications, and legislative coordinator staff were on-hand for the Budget Lockup on February 21, along with CUPE BC President Paul Faoro, to analyze the budget documents and respond to reporters. “After 16 years of BC Liberal mismanagement and broken promises — and double-digit increases to the tax — British Columbians should be skeptical that the Liberals will [cut the MSP tax],” said Faoro. “And even if they actually implement the changes, the MSP tax is still regressive — a couple with a joint income of $80,000 will pay the same rate as an individual who earns a million dollars a year. “The BC Liberals are doing the absolute bare minimum necessary to claim they’re taking action on issues that matter to British Columbians, but in almost every instance that ‘action’ is more spin than reality.”
Preserving feminist history at UBC VANCOUVER | CUPE 2950’s predecessor, The Association of University and College Employees (AUCE 1), was a feminist trade union organized in 1975 at the University of British Columbia. It was the first union to negotiate maternity leave benefits, an historic win for women that has benefited workers and families in B.C. and across Canada. CUPE 2950 continues to represent clerical, library and theatre workers at UBC. The local is working on a major project to archive its records as well as film oral history interviews with the original organizers. Connecting with seven organizers and interviewing current members who have served more than 45 years, CUPE 2950 will collect its members’ rich oral history. Once complete, more than 10,000 pieces of material will be properly archived and searchable through the UBC Library, thus available to everyone. Not only will the materials be of use to members and people interested in B.C.’s labour history; the trove of information will also assist researchers in various fields such as sociology, women’s studies, political science, and labour studies. CUPE 2950 hopes that telling the story of the hard work women did to form a union through films and materials will encourage a more balanced approach to labour relations studies than the current one-sided, interest-based model taught at many business schools.
LEADING THE WAY Women working in the finance-payroll department at UBC pictured some time after AUCE, now CUPE 2950, was certified. Standing on the left is Heather MacNeill, one of the organizers and a bargaining committee member. AUCE was the first union to negotiate maternity leave benefits. PHOTO CUPE 2950
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CUPE ACT ION
MEMBERS ON THE FRONT LINE
SCHOOL CUSTODIANS
Underfunding leaves a mess CAMPAIGN TARGETS CLARK BUDGET CUTS BURNABY | “Who’s to blame for the mess in B.C. schools? (Hint: It’s not the hard-working custodians.)” UNDERFUNDED CUPE 409 member Shannon Manseau is the only day custodian at New Westminster Secondary, one of the largest schools in That’s the message of a new CUPE BC campaign B.C., covering two city blocks and with more than 2,000 students. identifying custodians as among the hardest hit workers during the BC Liberal reign of chronic belongs — to Christy Clark and the BC Liberals. Visit the website underfunding for public education. The lack of support for B.C. schoolsareamess.ca or call 1-844-888-6377 (MESS). schools has led to layoffs for many of these CUPE members, the K–12 locals kicked off the campaign in March with an in-depth service they provide lost to students. survey for custodians that will provide solid information about the Chronic underfunding has forced some districts to cut daytime impact of cuts. All custodians are asked to participate, so that we custodian positions, leaving no janitors to clean up accidents, vomit hear directly from the frontline members who do the work. To help or other messes. Increased and unrealistic workloads are causing CUPE make a strong case for what needs to change in B.C. schools, injuries. Staff have been cut in most districts. Custodians are not willing to compromise the health of the students it’s vital that we hear back from as many custodians as possible. If you have not yet received your copy of the survey, please get in they support by lowering their standards. CUPE BC is supporting a touch with your CUPE National servicing rep. campaign to direct criticism about cleanliness in schools where it
BUSY TIMES FOR K–12 PRESIDENTS BURNABY | The K–12 Presidents’ Council had a full agenda at its March 7 meeting. Elected to the executive were Rod Isaac (CUPE 411, Chilliwack) as vice-chair and Leslie Franklin (CUPE 703, Maple Ridge) as treasurer. Ann Purvis (CUPE 440) was acclaimed for a three-year term as trustee. As well as discussing various motions, council members reviewed a survey for all K–12 custodians and heard reports from CUPE National representatives Rob Hewitt (an update on the standardized benefit plan), Kevin Rose (coordinator’s report), and Peter Coombes (job evaluation committee report). They also heard from CUPE BC President Paul Faoro, who talked about the importance of the May 9 provincial election, and Secretary-Treasurer Trevor Davies, who addressed the upcoming BC Division convention (April 26–29). PLEDGING TO SERVE K–12 Presidents’ Council Chair Marcel Marsolais swears in newly elected executive members (L–R) Treasurer Leslie Franklin, Vice Chair Rod Isaac, and Trustee Ann Purvis.
SCHOOL FAMILY CUPE 1285, K–12 support workers in Trail, are building public awareness of their members and the services they provide. Local members include bus drivers, clerical, custodial, trades and technology staff, and education assistants.
NATIONAL CONVENTION 2017 This year’s CUPE National convention takes place in Toronto from October 2 to 6. Visit cupe.ca for more info as the event draws near.
MEMBERS ON THE FRONT LINE
CUPE ACT ION
Responding to the opioid crisis The fentanyl crisis in B.C. shows no signs of slowing down, and CUPE members are feeling its effects in their communities and workplaces. While some CUPE members are trained first responders, such as ambulance paramedics (CUPE 873) and workers at the Portland Hotel Society (CUPE 1004 and CUPE 1936), other frontline workers are also facing the realities of the opioid crisis first hand. Some CUPE members are being asked to deliver naloxone if someone in their workplace appears to have overdosed. CUPE BC believes that senior levels of government need to step up and provide the appropriate funding to deal with this health crisis. In the meantime: should this be an issue in your workplace, please get in touch with your CUPE National servicing representative.
IS IT ‘CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM’ ...OR JUST PRE-ELECTION SPIN? BURNABY | BC Liberal Premier Christy Clark’s March 13 announcement of a “panel” on campaign finance reform to be appointed after the May 9 election was nothing but cynical spin that should fool no one, CUPE BC President Paul Faoro said in response. “For years Premier Christy Clark has personally benefited — to the tune of $300,000 — from B.C.’s lax campaign finance laws. Only now, on the eve of a provincial election, and after growing national and international media coverage of the issue, is the premier making cosmetic efforts to make it go away,” said Faoro. “After years of defending her BC Liberal Party’s fundraising practices — which the New York Times characterized as the ‘Wild West’ — Christy Clark has promised nothing more than a ‘panel’ whose recommendations won’t be binding on the government. That’s not leadership. That’s cynical spin, and I’m confident that voters will see though it.”
BULLY-FREE BC Throughout the province on Pink Shirt Day (February 22), CUPE members in B.C. wore pink to call for an end to bullying and discrimination in all its forms, especially homophobia and transphobia. Pictured are members of CUPE 951 — office, technical, animal care assistants and child care workers at the University of Victoria. PHOTO COLIN NEWELL
Building strong CUPE locals nationwide HALIFAX | As this issue of Public Employee was going to press, CUPE local leaders from across the country were gathering in the Maritimes to attend the union’s “Building Strong Locals” conference (April 3–6). The conference was aimed at providing local leadership with opportunities to develop skills and share best practices to make CUPE even stronger. A powerful local union is one that is inclusive and accessible, and that was a key theme of the conference. From building internal solidarity to developing solid union structures, the workshops focussed on helping local leaders develop the tools they need to prepare for various challenges.
Community forum slams BC Liberal record on education SURREY | A community forum hosted by CUPE 728 (Surrey K–12 support workers) in partnership with local education advocate Cindy Dalglish on February 21 provided a stark reminder of the BC Liberal government’s gutting of the public school system since 2001. “With the May 9 election and education being in the forefront, it’s important that parents have information,” said CUPE 728 President Ryan Groundwater, who chaired the forum. Surrey Teachers’ Association President Gioia Breda noted that children starting kindergarten in 2002 — the year the BC Liberals passed legislation stripping the rights of teachers to bargain such issues as class size — went through their entire education without the supports they should have had, as the Supreme Court of Canada ruled in November.
Chronic underfunding was the main issue discussed. Former trustee Charlene Dobie spoke about the impacts of underfunding on Surrey School District, while Dalglish — sharing how it has affected her own children — urged parents with concerns to write letters to their MLAs. Alex Hemingway, the CCPA–BC’s public finance policy analyst, appeared via video to provide insight on the BC Liberals’ underfunding of education. Groundwater, explaining how underfunding hurts support workers, talked about increased injuries and workloads, and of not having enough staff to get work done, such as janitors being unable to clean properly. During the Q&A, many raised concern about children spending a lot of their education in portables. About 40 people attended the event at Surrey Public Library, also supported by CUPE BC and CUPE 402 (City of Surrey).
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If there’s one thing we know for sure about Christy Clark’s BC Liberals, it’s that they’re not there for working people. Sixteen years in power have left behind an actual record that speaks louder than political spin or slick campaign ads. COVER One of the very first acts of the BC Liberal STORY government when the party took power in 2001 was a 25-per-cent income tax cut that has since sent billions of dollars into the bank accounts of the richest 2 per cent of British Columbians and the biggest corporations. To pay for the tax cut, the Campbell government — co-led by then-Deputy Premier Christy Clark — racked up the
THIS ELECTION, VOTERS HAVE A CLEAR CHOICE: A PROGRESSIVE NEW DIRECTION OR FOUR MORE YEARS OF BAD GOVERNMENT largest budget deficits in the history of the province. Those deficits were used by the Liberals to justify massive cuts to public services, an attack on collective bargaining rights and the implementation of an austerity agenda. Things haven’t gotten much better since.
BC Liberals: A legacy of pain
STEPPING UP BC NDP Leader John Horgan with CUPE candidates, from left, Local 523 President Sylvia Lindgren, CUPE National Servicing Representative Rachna Singh, New Westminster MLA (and former CUPE National President) Judy Darcy, and CUPE Airline Division member Lisa Beare.
B.C. now leads the country in child poverty rates — one in five B.C. kids is growing up below the poverty line.We’ve gone from second-best in education funding to second-worst. People are finding it harder and harder to find housing they can afford, while the richest British Columbians just hauled in another half-billion dollars in tax cuts over the past two years. And in every year of BC Liberal government, working families have faced increases in provincial user fees and taxes like Medical Services Plan premiums. The BC Liberals’ 15-year war with teachers, which ended with an epic smackdown from the Supreme Court of Canada, has meant that more than a generation of students have gone from kindergarten through to high school graduation in substandard learning conditions. As if all this weren’t bad enough, after years of raking in huge corporate and high-income political donations (and taking $300,000 in a secret stipend from those donations), Christy Clark isn’t promising to change B.C.’s lax campaign finance laws — only to appoint a non-binding panel after the election.
John Horgan and the BC NDP — on our side
HE’S WITH US CUPE BC executive board members Drew Parris and Alison Pringle greet John Horgan If you read the one-on-one interview with John Horgan in our last at the 2016 B.C. Division Convention. issue, you’ll have a pretty good sense of what makes the BC NDP leader tick, and why he’s running to be our next premier. Though he’s angered, like the rest of us, by the damage the BC Liberals have done to communities across the province, Horgan’s vision is an optimistic one. Horgan has said that his first act as premier would be to bring in legislation to take the big money out of politics, putting people — rather than the wealthy and the well connected — back at the centre of politics and democracy. He’s also committed to bringing in a ten-dollar-per-day child care system, so that parents have access to quality child care. And, by the end of his first term, he’ll increase B.C.’s minimum wage to $15 per hour. An NDP government would also implement a poverty reduction plan — B.C. is the only province in Canada without HOW THE PARTIES COMPARE one — to take action on issues like child poverty. The BC NDP BC LIBERALS NDP will also position B.C. as Will phase out MSP Promising a reduction MSP premiums a leader in the fight against premiums altogether in 2018, if re-elected climate change, leveraging Remain among the $15 per hour minimum Minimum wage investments in greenhouse lowest in Canada wage by end of first term gas emissions reduction No plan to improve Will implement to grow the economy and Child care child care options $10 a day child care create good-paying jobs all As first act of government, Non-binding panel across the province. Campaign finance reform to be appointed after the election
will ban corporate and union donations, and cap individual donations
CUPE MEMBERS STEP UP AS BC NDP CANDIDATES On May 9, not only do British Columbians have an opportunity to elect a new government; they’ve got eight BC NDP candidates with strong ties to CUPE to vote for. Running as first-time candidates are:
BC NDP: Powered by CUPE members! Did you know that staff at BC NDP headquarters are members of CUPE Local 3787? Workers dedicated to building better communities all across B.C., just like you.
• Lisa Beare (Airline Division, and elected School Trustee in District 42) in Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows • Natalie Fletcher (HEU) in Prince George–Valemount • Stephanie Goudie (Vice-President, Local 2403) in Peace River South • Sylvia Lindgren (President, Local 523) in Shuswap • Barb Nederpel (1st Vice President, Hospital Employees Union) in Kamloops North • Tracey O’Hara (1st VP, Local 411) in Chilliwack (pictured) • Rachna Singh (National staff representative) in Surrey–Green Timbers. Running for re-election in New Westminster is former CUPE National President Judy Darcy.
ADVANCE VOTING BEGINS APRIL 27 Concerned about crowded polls on Election Day? You can always skip the line-ups and cast your ballot early in one of the many advance voting opportunities. Advance voting is open from: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (local time) on Saturday, April 29, Sunday, April 30, and from May 3–7. All voters can cast their ballots at any advance voting place, and all advance voting places are wheelchair accessible. Check elections.bc.ca for details on the advance voting location nearest you.
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LINKING LABOUR
ROBIN JONES, REGIONAL DIRECTOR TIME-HONOURED PRINCIPLES Flanked by National Servicing Representatives Ross Idler (l) and Ian Clough, CUPE National Managing Director of Organizing and Regional Services Gwen Hewitt and Robin Jones pose with an early 1970s Vancouver Sun photo showing a striking worker lying on the pavement to prevent a van from crossing a picket line.
Time to up our game A NEW CUPE BARGAINING POLICY CHARTS THE WAY TO A BETTER FUTURE During its December meetings in Ottawa, CUPE’s National Executive Board adopted a new policy called Collective bargaining: Resisting concessions and two-tier proposals, and defending free collective bargaining — Moving forward. A bold and proactive document, the policy charts a clear direction for the Union’s bargaining Robin Jones strategy that’s based on time honoured union principles. As well as reaffirming CUPE’s commitment to free collective bargaining, the policy provides guidance for assisting CUPE Locals in resisting concessions, including two-tier wages, pensions, or benefit provisions. It also sets out some of the steps required to attack the problem of precarious work and stop precarity in general. As well, the health and safety of workers — including the urgent need to address violence in the workplace — has high priority in this NEB policy.
Solidarity means better bargaining Many of the requirements set out in the policy are principles that we in B.C. follow already, albeit not consistently. In certain sectors, for example, we have been successful in pursuing coordinated bargaining with other unions. Within CUPE, however, it is clear that we need to renew our commitments to solidarity from sector to sector and Local to Local. In recent years, there have been too many occasions in which Locals have been willing to settle without giving due consideration to the impact their own settlement might have on Locals in neighbouring communities or on the sector in general.
Concessions remain a concern. Too many Locals still consider bargaining provisions for future employees that are inferior to those provisions current employees fought for and enjoy. We shouldn’t be bargaining benefit or pension levels for our children and future workers that are less than what we have now. To put the brakes on this unfortunate practice, we will be developing collective agreement language for Locals to consider in many areas — including in their bargaining proposals. For example, a Strategic Bargaining and Strike Preparation manual for Locals is being developed, along with education courses that will be offered to Locals early on in the bargaining process.
Resisting the ‘austerity’ mantra If all this sounds overly critical of our own efforts, it’s not meant to be. Certain external pressures, after all, can wield a heavy influence at contract negotiation time. CUPE Local bargaining committees are continually confronted at the table by an austerity agenda driven by an unfair and increasingly regressive tax system. With successive governments prioritizing tax cuts, lowering income tax rates for the richest Canadians and expanding tax loopholes while turning a blind eye to tax havens, the amount of money left over for quality public services that benefit everyone continues to dwindle. But that is all the more reason to resist employer attempts to turn back the clock on wages, benefits, and working conditions. We shouldn’t be CUPE National President Mark bargaining benefit Hancock will talk about this new NEB or pension levels policy during his address at this year’s CUPE BC Convention, and staff will for our children and be discussing it with Locals over the future workers that next couple of months. Much of the are less than what plan envisions a higher profile for we have now. CUPE members from community to community. All Locals are encouraged to consider applying for cost share campaigns to increase their visibility in their communities. To get rolling on a cost share, all you need to do is contact your Servicing rep who can then assist with Communications and Research resources. Regional Directors must submit their regional plans to the NEB by no later than June 30. And so, over the next couple of months, I intend to discuss any such possible plan with as many Locals and Councils as possible. The NEB has made free collective bargaining a priority, and we look forward to working closely with them on this in the coming months.
CHILD CARE
CUPE FOCUS
LONG OVERDUE Thanks to the work of union activists and the coalition-building efforts of the $10aDay campaign, working families in B.C. may soon be able to access quality, affordable child care — depending on who wins the May 9 election.
Ending the wait for quality child care in B.C. CHRISTY CLARK MAY BE THE LAST THING STANDING BETWEEN WORKING FAMILIES AND AFFORDABLE CARE FOR KIDS When Christy Clark was deputy premier in 2001, one of her party’s first acts as government was to cancel the outgoing NDP administration’s universal child care initiative in partnership with the federal government. Since taking power 16 years ago, the BC Liberals have gutted and underfunded public child care, creating a crisis for working families throughout the province. The situation has gotten so bad under Clark as premier, says BC NDP Leader John Horgan, “that the only way for some kids to get off waitlists is to reach school age.” Thus, in the face of successive BC Liberal regimes determined to cut or privatize this service, CUPE members and other union and progressive activists have been fighting an uphill battle to achieve affordable, universal public child care.
The Lanier legacy CUPE lost a great champion of this cause earlier this year when its most committed child care advocate, Local 1936 President Michael Lanier, passed away suddenly on January 12 (See obituary, page 12). CUPE BC President Paul Faoro says the greatest tribute to Brother Lanier’s efforts would be to elect a BC NDP government led by Horgan, who has pledged to introduce a $10-a-day child care program for parents and kids across the province. “Sadly, Michael didn’t live to see his dream of affordable, universal child care come true, but it really is within our grasp on May 9,” says Faoro. “The $10-a-day program is the right thing to do for kids, for working families, and for the economy, too.” After housing, child care is the second-highest cost facing B.C. families. Parents in this province pay some of the highest child care fees in the country, with Lower Mainland fees running as high as $1,200 a month or more. Roughly 20 per cent of B.C. kids have access to regulated child care and B.C. mothers’ participation rates are the second lowest in Canada. Too many parents can’t find child care and spend years on waitlists. And some 40 per cent of B.C. families report that a parent could not return to work at the end of parental leave due to lack of child care spaces.
A business case for public child care This lack of affordable, quality public child care is not only bad for families — it’s bad for business, too. Many in B.C.’s business sector agree with organized labour and the NDP that the BC Liberals’ ongoing neglect of public child care and failure to invest in this area make it difficult for businesses to attract women, young families and skilled workers. Many parents without access to child care find it difficult — if not impossible — to participate in the labour force. Momentum in support of the $10-a-day program has been building over the past couple of years. Sheryl Burns, CUPE 1936’s new president, credits the Many in B.C.’s business solidarity of labour and other sector agree with organized activists in moving the issue forward. labour and the NDP that “One had to be incredibly the BC Liberals’ ongoing persistent and take the long view, neglect of public child as Michael did, in terms of getting care and failure to invest in this issue on the table. Part of that this area make it difficult meant going beyond our usual for businesses to attract grassroots networks and into the women, young families larger community for support,” and skilled workers. says Burns, noting that the Coalition of Child Care Advocates of BC has “an ongoing, very aggressive petition” on its website for the $10-a-day campaign: 10aday.ca/endorse
Everyone’s on board — except for the BC Liberals As well as uniting the various public sector unions that represent child care and community social services workers in B.C., Burns says the Coalition has done a good job of attracting allies in business and academia, political organizations, municipal governments and governmental organizations, the education and health sectors, early childhood development and child care organizations, and community, service, advocacy and women’s organizations. “You can see it from the signatories to the campaign,” says Burns. “The list of individual and organizational supporters is impressive — it’s in the hundreds, and takes quite a while to scroll through. You would think this might send a message to Christy Clark, but it hasn’t. I guess we’ll have to do that on May 9.”
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CUPE COMMUNITIES
MEMBERS MAKING A DIFFERENCE Brenda Coombs: 1954–2017
Michael Lanier: 1950–2017 CUPE members throughout the province were stunned and saddened on January 12 to learn of the sudden passing of long time Local 1936 President and CUPE BC Regional Vice-President (Metro Vancouver) Michael Lanier. A life-long activist for progressive causes, Brother Lanier was a committed advocate of public services, especially community social services and child care. His experience at the bargaining table, his familiar presence at public rallies, and his passionate speeches at convention microphones made him one of our union’s most recognizable faces. He is dearly missed. Michael first became a CUPE member in 1997 by organizing his workplace, which supported people with autism. After his election as first Unit Chair at Local 3999-34, he began participating in provincial coordinated bargaining in 1998 for the community social services sector. He later helped form CUPE Local 1936 (Greater Vancouver Community Social Service Workers) and was the Local’s second president in its expanded form representing social services and child care workers. While serving as regional vice president for more than a decade, Michael also sat on the B.C. Division’s Community Social Services Committee and Childcare Working Group, and was co-chair of CUPE’s National Childcare Working Group. He also co-chaired CUPE’s first National Social Services Conference. CUPE BC President Paul Faoro said that Brother Lanier’s contributions to the union and our collective fight for a better world will never be forgotten. “It’s hard — almost impossible — to imagine a CUPE BC convention without Michael at the microphone, passionately standing up for the rights of workers here in B.C., across Canada and around the globe,” said Faoro.
CUPE BC was extremely saddened to hear of the passing of long time CUPE 15 activist Brenda Coombs. Sister Coombs passed away from serious health complications on February 21, 2017. “We can only imagine the shock of Brenda’s loss for Jim and the rest of her family and friends who loved her, but Sister Coombs’ passing is also a major loss to our Local and one that will be felt throughout our membership,” said CUPE 15 President Warren Williams. “We will never forget her passion for the labour movement and her commitment to social justice.”
Sister Coombs was a strong trade union activist and CUPE 15 member for many years. She was a valued executive board member who held several positions including, most recently, chief shop steward for park board members. She was also the treasurer of the CUPE Metro District Council, a member facilitator and a mentor to many CUPE members through the union’s education department and courses. You will be missed, Sister Brenda. Rest in peace.
IWD event inspires and empowers PORT MOODY | CUPE Metro District Council invited women from agencies in the Tri-Cities who support women to a celebration of International Women’s Day with speakers Shelley Saje Ricci, a CUPE 728 activist, and Coquitlam–Maillardville NDP MLA Selina Robinson. Ricci, sharing Ojibwe teachings, noted that we acknowledge aboriginal territories to honour ancestors who walked before us. She asked everyone to think about the strong women in their lives who came before them — and say their names aloud. The room filled with energy as women
called out different names in unison. Robinson reminded everyone that there is still much work to do. An NDP government, she said, will raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour, bring in a comprehensive poverty reduction plan and $10-a-day child care (see story on page 11), and develop a housing plan. Music by Renae Morriseau and Jenifer Brousseau from M’Girl included original and traditional music, ending with a round dance that had everyone on their feet.
CELEBRATING SISTERHOOD The success of the CUPE Metro District Council event was due in large part to the 18 volunteers from 10 locals who organized, set up, and took part in the event. PHOTO KAREN RANALLETTA
MEMBERS MAKING A DIFFERENCE
CUPE COMMUNITIES
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GIVING BACK TO VANCOUVER ISLAND
TIMELY INTERVENTION Flanked by BC Ambulance Service superintendents, CUPE 1978 President Rick Illi receives the BCAS Vital Link award from Gordon McDougall. Illi and CUPE 1978 member Ryan Johnston saved McDougall’s life when the Victoria man went into cardiac arrest in 2015. PHOTO CUPE 1978
CUPE 1978 life savers recognized SAANICH | Two members of CUPE 1978 got a special Valentine on February 14 when they received the Vital Link Award from the BC Ambulance Service. President Rick Illi and member Ryan Johnston received this honour as a result of their life-saving actions for a citizen in cardiac distress on September 5, 2015 at Matheson Lake Regional Park. The ceremony was held at the Leigh Road
Ambulance station where the former patient, Mr. Gordon McDougall, was able to attend. He expressed his gratitude to everyone who contributed to this successful outcome. One of the heroes was absent from the ceremony as Johnston was enrolled at the Justice Institute of BC Police Academy as a Recruit Constable for the Central Saanich Police Service.
THE READING TREE
The book includes a section that focuses on key literacy messages, with tips and ideas for parents and caregivers about fun, easy, and low-barrier activities they can do at home to help build literacy skills. This section has been translated into eight languages (Arabic, French, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Punjabi, Filipino, Vietnamese, and Spanish), making it as inclusive as possible. Response to the book has been incredibly positive. Almost three months after the launch, says Brown, families are still coming in almost every day to pick up their own copy. Kushner has also noted the enthusiasm during her work visiting neighbourhood houses and other
LOCAL 391 MEMBERS PLAY KEY ROLE IN LITERACY PROJECT VANCOUVER | A children’s picture book aimed at promoting literacy, launched recently by the Vancouver Public Library (VPL) and being given away to local families for free, was produced almost entirely by public library employees. Children’s Librarian Els Kushner, Early Years Assistant Manager Christie Menzo, and Kerrisdale Branch Head Andrea Brown, all CUPE 391 members, were the key trio responsible for The Reading Tree. Joining them on the production side were fellow CUPE 391 members Stephanie Hurst and Maria Hernandez from the VPL’s marketing and communications team. The Reading Tree is a dynamic story with beautiful illustrations and a purpose greater than simply enchanting young readers.
VICTORIA | For the past eight years, the Vancouver Island District Council (VIDC) has been actively working with communities across the Island through its quarterly community fundraising initiative. Delegates to the VIDC have the opportunity to suggest community organizations and, at each meeting, the Council selects a different one to support. “We are really proud to have helped many organizations over the years, including several transition houses across Vancouver Island, Purses of Hope, Sisters in Spirit and many community kitchens and local shelters with sock and toiletry donations,” says VIDC President Amber Leonard. “One of the greatest benefits of these fundraisers is that they’re an opportunity for the Council to engage and connect with the communities our members live and work in.” In the February community fundraiser, for the Port Alberni Shelter, the VIDC was able to collect toiletries and skillets (an item specifically requested by the community organization) as well as $390.
INSPIRING MESSAGE CUPE 391 members, from left, Andrea Brown, Els Kushner, and Christie Menzo were the key trio behind the Vancouver Public Library project, The Reading Tree. community resource centres in Strathcona and the Downtown Eastside. The Reading Tree is available at VPL branches throughout Vancouver.
POWER IN NUMBERS
TREVOR DAVIES, SECRETARY-TREASURER
Putting the brakes on Big Money in B.C. politics Money and politics have always been close friends, regardless of the political system in place. But in recent years in British Columbia, this relationship has become far too close for comfort. This year, the Globe and Mail, the Vancouver Sun, The Tyee and even the New York Times have taken note of the limitless ability of individuals, corporations Trevor Davies and unions to donate to the B.C. political party of their preference. Between 2005 and the first weeks of 2017, the fundraising treasure chest for the three largest parties in B.C. broke down like this: · BC Liberals: $118.7 million · BC NDP: $42 million · BC Green Party: $1.88 million
An uneven playing field By looking at these amounts, the financial reality behind the political parties becomes clear. Corporate and wealthy donors dominate the fundraising world, giving the BC Liberals a massive financial advantage at election time. While $30 million of the BC Liberals’ total came from just 50 donors (!), the majority of the NDP’s donations came from individual donors giving less than $100. And the Greens? They place a very distant third. In terms of political power, the contributions from labour unions (including CUPE) don’t come close to putting the BC NDP on the same footing as the Liberals with their corporate and high income donors — it’s like the proverbial duel in which one combatant, in this case the NDP, brings a knife to a gunfight.
Drilling down a little further, from 2012 to 2016, the BC Liberals collected more than $8 million from the real estate industry alone. Between the massive donations the Liberal party gets and the $300,000 Christy Clark personally pocketed from B.C. Liberal donors as a “stipend,” it’s no surprise that so many voters have a hard time believing that government decisions are made in the public interest.
Breaking the rules In its March 6, 2017 editorial, the Globe said its investigation into BC Liberal Party donations found that “lobbyists and others have been donating multiple times in their own name, while being reimbursed by companies they represent. This practice is a clear breach of one of the few rules that do exist when it comes to campaign donations: it is illegal to give money that didn’t come from a donor’s own pocket.” This practice is now under investigation by the RCMP. The solution to this Wild West of political donations? Do what many jurisdictions in Canada and around the world have done, including the very first piece of legislation passed by the Alberta NDP when they formed government: ban corporate and union donations, and establish limits on individual donors. This will bring some sanity back to the financial world of political donations, and in my opinion bring democracy back to the people of B.C.
Changing times, new standards The New Democrats have six times tabled a bill aimed at banning big money from B.C. politics, but Christy Clark wouldn’t even allow the bill to be debated in the Legislature. John Horgan has promised that the BC NDP’s first act as government would be to prohibit corporate and union donations, restrict donations to individuals living in B.C. and make it illegal for the premier to take a second salary from outside sources like corporations and political donors. That’s a promise we can take to the bank.
BC NDP: $42 million
A BAN ON CORPORATE AND UNION DONATIONS IS LONG OVERDUE
BC Liberals: $118.7 million
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CUPE SPRING
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Come and experience CUPE’s popular week-long school in the heart of B.C.’s Interior.
SECRETARY-TREASURER
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POWERFUL LEARNING, AT ITS BEST!
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Book now to expand your horizons and sharpen your activist tools. Coast Kamloops Conference and Convention Centre
May 28–June 2
THIS YEAR’S WORKSHOPS: Stewarding
CUPE Communications, and Josh Berson GRAPHIC DESIGN
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Human rights
ELECTION COVER WRAP
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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT CUPE Education representative Greg Burkitt at 604-291-1940 or send him an e-mail at gburkitt@cupe.ca
Scholarships are available. Check with your rep or visit cupe.bc.ca NEW DATES FOR CUPE FALL SCHOOL: Due to CUPE BC’s One Big Committee Meeting October 18 and 19, CUPE’s week-long Fall School has changed to the week of October 29 through November 3.
Sam Monckton ELECTION WRAP BACK PAGE PHOTO
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Josh Berson