SOOKE CAMPAIGN | PHS 1004 MEMBERS | IBEW-213 SOLIDARITY | POST-SEC FIGHTBACK
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE FALL 2020
Walking the Talk CUPE BC looks inward to confront & root out systemic racism
B.C. ELECTION: CUPE MEMBERS ELECTED, FAORO & BCFED ON THE FUTURE
2
LEADING US
PAUL FAORO, PRESIDENT
Electing a BCNDP majority government was crucial — let’s remember why however, our views are actively sought out by decision-makers, ALL CUPE MEMBERS IN B.C. should our voices are heard, and we have the opportunity to work celebrate the election of a BCNDP together with government to make positive changes. government on October 24. Not only Working quietly in partnership behind the scenes might not was Premier John Horgan’s government result in a big media sensation, but it’s much more effective. re-elected, it increased its seat count For example, look at the work dramatically — from 41 in we did with the government 2017 to 57 in 2020. and other stakeholders in our The election results Paul Faoro provincially funded sectors as showed how voters we prepared to safely restart the approved of the Horgan economy this past September. government’s handling of the COVID-19 Nearly half our membership work pandemic — and of the work the government in those sectors, and one of the had done pre-pandemic. I’m not going to get direct results of our efforts was into a deep analysis of the election here (for that the vast majority of those more on the results, see the wrap-up and members continued to receive BCFED guest column on pages 6 and 7), but paycheques throughout the I do want to talk about why CUPE BC has pandemic, with minimal layoffs. campaigned so hard to elect a majority BCNDP (Contrast that with the antigovernment. worker approach taken by other The first and most important reason is that provincial governments during you, our members, have told us that electing a this same period.) majority BCNDP government must be our top The difference between the priority. Long-time CUPE BC convention-goers former government and this will know that at every convention since one couldn’t be more stark. The 2001, delegates have voted for an action plan bottom line is: we get a lot more that puts this priority at the very top. My done for our members working predecessors as president, Barry O’Neill and with a BCNDP government than Mark Hancock, and I have said it so many times CUPE SPIRIT CUPE BC Political Action we ever did at a protest march over the years: the best thing CUPE BC can do Committee Co-chair Cory Longley, here against BC Liberal governments. with CUPE BC Regional Vice-President for CUPE members in B.C. is to elect the BCNDP. (North) Stephanie Goudie, ran a gutsy It took much longer than any of us would A shared vision campaign in the BC Liberal stronghold have liked to accomplish this goal — and it’s of Peace River South. I recognize that this government obvious that the victory last month depended isn’t perfect — there’s no such on much more than CUPE BC’s support — but I thing as a perfect government. But the key difference between firmly believe that our members’ futures will be greatly improved this and previous governments is that Premier Horgan and his by the work of this government over the next four years. While the team actually want our advice. We’re seen as partners in building minority government supported by the BC Greens made important a better British Columbia. progress, the BC Greens refused to support BCNDP efforts to undo After so many years of fighting back against BC Liberal policies decades of BC Liberal attacks on workers’ rights. that attacked working people and their families — policies that From adversary to partner gutted funding and slashed public services that our communities depend on — I’m thrilled by the prospect of a majority From the day the Horgan government was sworn in back in 2017, government that’s committed to repairing the damage and there has been a sea change in how our union is perceived in building a province, and an economy, that leaves no one behind. Victoria. Over the 16 years the BC Liberals were in charge, we spent And that’s at least in part thanks to the work that countless a lot of time at rallies and protests resisting the mean-spirited, dedicated CUPE BC activists have done over the past 19 years. right-wing cuts that benefited the wealthy and big corporations. But for the most part, our efforts were unsuccessful. Today,
FOLLOW PAUL ON TWITTER @paulfaoro
MEMBERS ON THE FRONT LINE
CUPE ACT ION
Boost in dignity, respect for CUPE 1004 PHS members SHIFT TO COMMUNITY HEALTH SECTOR BENEFITS FRONT LINE WORKERS VANCOUVER | An agreement reached between the PHS Community Services Society, the Health Employers Association of BC, and CUPE 1004 has transferred approximately 600 CUPE health services and support workers at the Portland Hotel Society (PHS) from their local collective agreement to an existing contract in the community health sector — a move that, with wage protection or improvements in every classification, should help restore dignity and respect for frontline staff who provide critical services for vulnerable populations. On October 1, these workers’ collective agreement rights shifted to the Community Subsector Association of Bargaining Agents (CBA) contract, which runs from April 1, 2019 to March 31, 2022. All wage adjustments and general increases of the CBA Collective Agreement, retroactive to April 2019, thus took effect for PHS CUPE 1004 members. PHS runs 19 supportive housing and shelter buildings and also operates several safe drug consumption sites in Vancouver and Victoria. These CUPE members — mental health, outreach and home support workers, medical and dental assistants, and food service workers — work on the frontline of the opioid, housing, and homelessness crises. The daily challenges of their work have been further complicated by COVID‑19. “This melding of our contract to the CBA agreement is a major development for our Local. It represents significant gains for our members at the PHS,” said CUPE 1004 President Andrew Ledger. “It really couldn’t come at a better time, given the challenges so many of our members have been facing during the pandemic. Bringing these members into the CBA agreement shows respect for their vital contributions to frontline health care services.”
CUPE 403 welcomes fitness professionals TOWNSHIP OF LANGLEY | Following a no-contact organizing effort that resulted in an overwhelming mail-in ballot vote to join CUPE, and a successful Labour Board vote, CUPE 403 welcomed 147 recreation and cultural workers to the Local this summer. Bringing these fitness professionals into CUPE called for innovative ways to reach out and engage them while following provincial health guidelines, said CUPE 403 President Sara Manchester. The uncertainty and challenges posed by the pandemic, she added, have only reinforced the importance of unions. “These workers need access to the same resources and protections that all our members have,” said Manchester, whose local represents more than 1,250 municipal workers in the Township of Langley. The recreation workers deliver health, fitness, and wellness services to Township residents. They include personal trainers; group fitness, aquatic, and yoga instructors; and cultural workers who provide programming to the community at the Langley Centennial Museum. Please contact CUPE Organizing if you know of any municipal or regional district recreation workers who want to join CUPE.
Union calls for seamless, Ministry of Education-based child care
WHERE WE BELONG CUPE 1004’s new CBA bargaining committee met shortly after the transfer of the Local’s Portland Hotel Society members to the community health sector. From left: CUPE Servicing Representative Bill Pegler, Andy Healey, Tuesday Andrich, CUPE 1004 President Andrew Ledger, Alex Braidek, and Peter Hewlett. PHOTO BY BOBBI FLINT
As a strong advocate for affordable public child care, CUPE is promoting a seamless day model that integrates child care into K–12 schools throughout B.C. Integrating early childhood and learning creates advantages for families. The seamless day solves a practical problem for parents by helping alleviate the stress of finding quality care before and after school. Public delivery by school boards ensures high-quality programs with increased learning for kids, highly-trained staff with better wages and working conditions, and savings from shared facilities. You can add your name in support of affordable and accessible child care at buildseamlesschildcare.ca.
3
4
CUPE ACT ION
MEMBERS ON THE FRONT LINE
VOICES
CUPE MEMBERS IN THE MEDIA
“This is a very scary time for everyone involved… but we have collaboratively been working hard on our health and safety plan, our pandemic plan, and I think the new policies and practices that are being put into place are going to ensure the health and safety of students and staff.” — CUPE 2145 President Rolanda Lavallee expresses confidence in School District 54’s back-to-school plan. Houston Today, September 2, 2020. “I’m pleased to see the things that are coming forward. They’re listening to us as CUPE members and the locals’ requests, and it’s good to see all these things we are requesting coming forward.” — CUPE 1091 President Daun Frederickson sends kudos to Delta School District for ensuring that support staff have the resources they need to handle cleaning protocols required for the COVID‑19 return-to-school plan. Delta Optimist, August 27, 2020. “We have a lot of very long-term employees who’ve worked with the PNE for decades and decades who are very committed to the PNE as an institution and really love working there.” — CUPE 1004 President Andrew Ledger calls on Ottawa to step in and save the PNE. News 1130 online, August 17, 2020. “The challenges are certainly in communication. With the respirator, the communication is very muffled, so we have to be very deliberate about what we say, how we say it and it’s changed the way we do business, it’s changed our procedures.” — CUPE 873 Regional Vice-president Stuart Myers, on the impact of COVID‑19 on how ambulance paramedics treat patients. Ladysmith Chemainus Chronicle, September 3, 2020. “I shouldn’t have to justify my accent. The worst part of this is that it is so institutionalized that people don’t even realize they are discriminating, and others tend to think that it is okay, and it is not okay.” — CUPE 788 Shop Steward and Labour Management Committee member Tania Aguila, who speaks English as her second language, calls on the Gulf Islands Board of Education to address racism in the workplace in School District 64. Gulf Islands Driftwood, July 1, 2020. “Following public health guidelines isn’t just to protect ourselves, it’s to protect people we don’t even know. If that’s not solidarity, I don’t know what is.” — CUPE BC President Paul Faoro, in his annual Labour Day message, laments the loss of public gatherings to celebrate the event but is grateful for lessons in civic compassion the pandemic provides. Tri-City News, September 3, 2020.
INTRODUCING CUPE 8911 From left, President Donald Grant, Lake Rippell, Jacqueline Lai, and Ashton Paradis look forward to representing emergency dispatchers through a brand new CUPE local.
Emergency 9-1-1 dispatchers form own CUPE local VANCOUVER | More than twenty years after being brought into the Canadian Union of Public Employees as a sub-local of the Ambulance Paramedics of BC (CUPE 873), B.C.’s 9-1-1 call-takers, emergency dispatchers and their support staff became their own CUPE local earlier this fall. The newly-chartered local, CUPE 8911 – Emergency Communications Professionals of British Columbia (ECPBC), represents nearly 600 communications professionals who provide call-taking and dispatch services, information technology, and support services to 34 police agencies and 40 fire departments, as well as 99 per cent of initial 9-1-1 call response in B.C. CUPE 8911 President Donald Grant extended the new local’s thanks to parent local CUPE 873 for bringing E-Comm workers into the labour movement, supporting them for more than two decades and helping them build the capacity to stand on their own. Grant cited the expansion of emergency communications services and the unique working environment of 9-1-1 call centres as the main reasons members voted for self-advocacy through an independent CUPE local. While carrying over the collective agreement of its predecessor, CUPE 873-02, the new Local continues to tackle major issues such as increased call volumes, workload stress, understaffing, and underfunding of the service. “We look forward to working with all stakeholders in the near future to provide a fully funded emergency response service that meets the needs of British Columbians while recognizing the critical importance of our members’ work,” said Grant.
BCFED 2020 CONVENTION The BC Federation of Labour will hold its 59th convention on November 25 and 26, 2020. Because of the pandemic, this will be the first entirely virtual convention in Fed history. Delegates from communities and affiliates across B.C. will join the proceedings online to report, discuss, debate and vote on important resolutions. Find out more at convention.bcfed.ca.
MEMBERS ON THE FRONT LINE
CUPE ACT ION
REOPENING OUR MUNICIPAL SERVICES After months of closures due to COVID‑19, B.C.’s rec centres, public pools, and other municipal recreation services are safely reopening across the province. Unfortunately, reopenings have been minimal in some communities, with a handful of municipalities still stalling as this issue of Public Employee went to press. Municipalities and CUPE members have shown they can safely reopen recreation services with innovative measures to serve B.C. communities during the pandemic. With winter on the horizon, CUPE BC is calling for expanded reopenings, putting an emphasis on arenas and indoor recreation options. You can send a message to your Mayor and Council today, asking them to expand our publicly funded municipal recreation services, by visiting betterservicesbettercommunities.ca.
FRIENDLY FACE CUPE 459 (Sooke Schools support staff) member Sandra Bowes is both an EA and a crossing guard who greets school kids every morning and sends them home safely at the end of the day.
New campaign makes CUPE K–12 members more visible SOOKE | At the end of June, the CUPE 459 executive sent personal notes to every member, thanking them for their work and recognizing their extra efforts and commitment during COVID. Now the Local is going public to promote the services their members provide in K–12. Through a cost-shared campaign with CUPE National, CUPE 459 is making it easier for members to show their union pride. As well as wearing the ball caps, T-shirts, and hoodies bearing a new union logo that reflects the Local’s community and geography, members play an active role in raising public awareness by sharing their stories in interviews and helping develop promotional materials such as leaflets, mini posters, and advertising.
Time to strengthen our public libraries British Columbians have enthusiastically welcomed the reopening of public libraries. After weathering several months of pandemic closures, CUPE members could truly celebrate Libraries Month in October, happy to be back safely serving their communities. “I love being in touch with our community again. People are so happy we are open again, they are so appreciative of our services,” says CUPE 1123 member Cherie Hekkert, an assistant community librarian at Okanagan Regional Library’s Rutland branch. While the Okanagan Regional Library and many others across the province have reopened, many are offering very limited services. With the future of programs and services that libraries offer at risk, many libraries are looking ahead at how COVID‑19 will affect 2021 budgets.
CUPE BC’s campaign to get public library services expanded has shifted toward a more explicit call to strengthen public libraries in support of the province’s social and economic recovery from the COVID‑19 pandemic. CUPE members are encouraged to visit betterlibraries.ca and send a message to their local governments calling for more resources to protect and strengthen public libraries in the coming months, years, and well into the future.
5
6
CUPE FOCUS
BC ELECTION
Rewarding good government at the polls FIVE FROM CUPE FAMILY JOIN BCNDP CAUCUS OF 57 IN MAJORITY ELECTION WIN
BEARE
SINGH
COULTER
VICTORIA | When Premier John Horgan called a provincial election for October 24, no one knew how political parties and candidates would be able to campaign during the COVID-19 pandemic. Political analysts described the move as a calculated risk — a roll of the dice. Despite Horgan’s assurances that Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Elections BC would work together to ensure safety at the polls, some pundits and the BC Liberals and BC Greens said voters would punish the premier for calling an early election. There were also concerns that the huge increase in mail-in ballots could lead to uncertainty on election night. In the end, those concerns and forecasts were not borne out by the election results. Not only did voters re-elect Horgan’s BCNDP government; they also added significantly to the size of his caucus, which went from 41 MLAs before the election to 57. This marked the first time a sitting BCNDP premier has won re-election and the first time an incumbent BCNDP government has gained seats.
Strong vote of confidence
YAO
WHITESIDE
“We’re really pleased by the number of CUPE members who put their names forward and ran as BCNDP candidates,” says CUPE BC General Vice President and Political Action Committee Chair Michelle Waite. “That shows the power of our internal, member-to-member political action to build activism within our union. I’d like to give a special shout-out to my co-chair of the political action committee, CUPE 2403 President Cory Longley, who represented the BCNDP so well in Peace River South.”
Stepping up for strong communities In addition to Longley, who was unsuccessful in his constituency, seven CUPE members or staff ran as BCNDP candidates in this election: • Lisa Beare (CUPE 4078) was re-elected in Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows; • Rachna Singh (CUPE National Rep) was re-elected in Surrey-Green Timbers;
• Dan Coulter (CUPE 3787) “The results on election night were crystal was elected in Chilliwack; clear,” says CUPE BC President Paul Faoro. “And the subsequent counting of mail-in • Henry Yao (CUPE 1936) and absentee ballots only reinforced those was elected in Richmond South; results — British Columbians support the • Jennifer Whiteside (HEU) was direction in which this government has elected in New Westminster; and been taking our province. The Horgan • Sylvia Lindgren (CUPE 523) and “British Columbians support the direction administration won support not only for its Bryn Smith (CUPE 728) were in which this government has been handling of the pandemic but also for its unsuccessful in their campaigns in taking our province.” — Paul Faoro work to undo much of the damage done to Shuswap and Surrey-White Rock. our province over 16 years of BC Liberal rule.” “I want to thank every CUPE member who ran in this election,” The BCNDP’s introduction of campaign finance reform meant that says Faoro. “And thanks also to the many CUPE members who unions like CUPE BC and corporations could no longer make financial volunteered on their own time to help their local campaign. donations to political parties, and there were also restrictions on Electing a BCNDP majority government has been the highest what kind of information could be sent to CUPE members. CUPE BC priority of CUPE BC since 2001, and I know that our members was allowed to inform members, for example, about how to vote and all working people in British Columbia will be better off safely and the location of their polling place, along with updates as in a significant way as a result of this historic victory.” information changed during the campaign.
BC ELECTION
CUPE FOCUS
GUEST COLUMN
Turning the BCNDP’s historic 2020 election victory into a future for all by Laird Cronk and Sussanne Skidmore THIS ELECTION, British Columbians had a choice: go back to the senseless cuts that left so many people out in the cold and so many of us vulnerable, or build a future for everyone that puts people and families first. The BC Federation of Labour helped make the case for building a future for all, and we’re proud to say that B.C. voters agreed. We all remember the BC Liberals only too well: how they governed just for the wealthy and powerful, and how they slashed public services and attacked the fundamental rights of workers. But three and a half years of government by Premier John Horgan and the BCNDP showed us what it’s like to have a government that actually listens to workers. They’ve made major progress in building a better, fairer province.
We now have an opportunity to make important, historic gains for the people of B.C. We can take big steps forward with universal Pharmacare and dental care, by expanding and improving public services, by establishing a truly worker-centred Workers’ Compensation Board, introducing real paid sick leave, and tackling climate change with strategies that create familyand community-supporting jobs in the new economy.
Making our voices heard
But we’ve learned many times in the past that none of this will come without a lot of hard work. Even with a government that listens to working people — or especially with a government that listens to working people — the usual powerful, wealthy suspects will be pulling out all the stops. They’ll try to water down the government’s agenda, block badly-needed improvements and roll back progress at every opportunity. The good news is that we know British We have an opportunity to make lasting Columbians share our vision. A poll the changes for British Columbians, like BCFED commissioned shortly before the Delivering on promises investments in crucial public services, election showed that 72 per cent of British Well before this pandemic began, John Columbians want to see B.C. make changes securing good jobs and opportunities for Horgan’s government took progressive to support a fairer, more equal province, the next generation, and building a better, steps like investing in affordable rather than going back to the way things fairer and more sustainable economy. childcare and housing, raising the were before the pandemic. minimum wage, eliminating MSP The only way that will happen, though, premiums, investing in primary health care, improving our labour is if we mobilize those people throughout B.C. who support real, code and employment standards, developing Canada’s most progressive change and a better, fairer province. So in the coming ambitious climate action plan and recognizing the UN Declaration weeks and months, you can expect to hear a lot from us about on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in law. the changes we all know B.C. needs — and so can the provincial And during the pandemic, the BCNDP took care of people. They government. You can join us and start speaking out now through brought in job-protected sick leave, income supports, help for our campaign website, FutureForAll.ca. renters and B.C.’s most vulnerable people, improvements to worker We have an opportunity to make lasting changes for British safety and workers’ compensation — and a lot more. Columbians, like investments in crucial public services, securing British Columbians saw a government that works for people, good jobs and opportunities for the next generation, and building not just for the powerful. Now they’ve put their trust in Premier a better, fairer and more sustainable economy. Horgan and the BCNDP with a resounding majority. We have the chance to build a future for all. Let’s take it. That couldn’t be coming at a more critical time, because this Laird Cronk is the president and Sussanne Skidmore province needs to make decisions not just about getting through the secretary-treasurer of the BC Federation of Labour. the next few months but also about what B.C. will look like for many years to come.
7
Walking the talk of justice and equality CUPE BC TAKES A LOOK IN THE MIRROR TO ROOT OUT SYSTEMIC RACISM ONE OF THE MORE DISTURBING RESULTS of the COVID‑19 pandemic has been a rise in the number of racist incidents targeting people of colour. Systemic racism has always been with us, but such incidents — everything from white supremacist hate speech on social media to random attacks on public transit and police targeting of Black or Indigenous people — remind us how pervasive and deeply rooted COVER STORY bigotry has become in our society. It is our collective responsibility to end systemic racism. For this reason, CUPE BC is literally putting its money where its mouth is. This fall, the union retained the services of a diversity and inclusion consulting firm to conduct an equity audit of all the union’s operations. This followed a ground-breaking online conference on strategies to fight racism, which several members of CUPE BC’s executive board attended.
Reviewing our institutional culture Recognizing that organizational culture reinforces systemic racism, CUPE BC recently hired Vancouver-based Cicely Blain Consulting to conduct a full review of the union’s operations through an equity lens. “We want to lead by example, so we’re putting up the mirror to look at ourselves and ask: how can we do things differently?” says Secretary-Treasurer Trevor Davies. “We want to see if we can
do things better in a way we’ve never considered, so that means taking a close look at the DNA of our organization.” The Blain group’s internal equity audit, which covers everything from policy and strategy development to unconscious bias training, will examine how CUPE BC operates, including how events and meetings are organized. In looking for issues of systemic racism, the review will conclude with recommendations for change in areas identified as needing improvement. “We hope that this process leads to lasting change that goes beyond any elected terms or individuals,” says Davies. General Vice-President Karen Ranalletta agrees, seeing the review as an important step in the union’s evolution. “As advocates for working people, we see ourselves as progressive activists,” she says, “but the union is also a system. It’s an institution. The way it’s built — from the constitution, to how elections happen and the roles of the executive board — all of these exist in a system that is not inclusive. So this is a great opportunity for change.”
Changing the narrative The Blain group were also the organizers of this past summer’s “Stratagem” (welcometostratagem.com), a virtual conference and digital resource hub on equity, inclusion and justice aimed at seeking ways to more effectively advocate for equality and justice for Black, Indigenous, People of Colour (BIPOC), and all equityseeking groups.
“IF WE WANT TO BE AN INCLUSIVE UNION, WE NEED TO DO WORK THAT CREATES TRULY EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR EVERYONE.” — SHERYL BURNS
For General Vice-President Sheryl Burns, several conference into the union, it was all white men running the local. I didn’t feel as if I belonged, because there wasn’t a lot of understanding.” lessons on mindfulness resonated. One was queer Muslim poet Even today, as one of 50 Aboriginal youth care workers in Surrey Nasra Adem’s observation that “gentleness can be Othering”: the School District, Merrier says most of her co-workers don’t have tendency of some straight, white, or able-bodied people to treat contact with their union unless there’s a grievance for bullying, members of equity-seeking groups as if they’re fragile and might a racist comment, or discipline in the workplace. To draw more break. “It’s not only Othering,” says Burns, “but limiting, too: it interest from Indigenous members of CUPE, possible changes decreases expectation and implies an underlying view that we’re might include more recognition of oral traditions where teachings not as capable as others. And it happens across the board for all and learnings come more from faceequity-seeking groups.” to-face interaction than technology; For Diversity Vice-President (Workers of Colour) Michele higher priority given to Indigenous Alexander, the conference was a reminder that the fight events on the union calendar, such against systemic racism continues to as Orange Shirt Day; and a more be inhibited by denial. prominent role for elders in everyday “Canadians have in their mind that we union activities. are not racist, that we’re better than Burns said that CUPE locals could that, when in fact we are racist,” she make a difference by seeking out says. “People say stuff all the time that members of equity-seeking groups to they don’t think is bad, but we all have mentor them and more consciously racist tendencies. Progressive people make space for them to attend need to be less self-congratulatory workshops and other union events. about our own progressiveness “Walking the talk might mean and take a look in the mirror.” making some changes that people Part of this means not being a won’t be comfortable with initially,” bystander when witnessing a racist says Burns. “But if we want to be an incident. “Progressive people need to be less inclusive union, we need to do work “During COVID, people seem to have that creates truly equal opportunities self-congratulatory about our own been given a license to say whatever for everyone.” they want as if it’s okay, and the progressiveness and take a look in The key drivers of change, says bottom line is: it’s not okay,” says Ranalletta, will be the union’s youth. the mirror.” — Michele Alexander Alexander. “If you hear someone say “As unionists, we often approach something racist, don’t just stand by. young workers as people who need to be taught rather than seeing Part of being an ally is to speak out and use your voice.” how they can teach us,” she says. “The cool thing about Strategem was how it reinforced that civil Making CUPE more inclusive rights and all kinds of social movements are often led by young people. The group that put this conference together were a bunch Diversity Vice-President (Indigenous Workers) Debra Merrier of young women of colour who are full of energy, who know what welcomes the equity audit as a process that could open up the they’re talking about, and who — when it comes to anti-racism and union to more participation from Indigenous members. anti-oppression — are at the forefront of those movements.” “The union as an institution is perceived by many Indigenous people as being for whites only,” says Merrier. “When I first came
ILLUSTRATIONS BY EMILY THIESSEN
10
LINKING LABOUR
MEENA BRISARD, REGIONAL DIRECTOR
BACK TO (UNION) SCHOOL Even during the pandemic, educational opportunities for union activists don’t all have to be on Zoom. On September 24 and 25, eight community health sector CUPE members from Locals 15, 1004, 1978 and 4816 took advantage of physically distant space at the B.C. regional office to take combined workshops for CUPE’s Introduction to Shop Stewarding and Notetaking, facilitated by CUPE Health coordinator Chris Losito.
Maintaining public services — in good times and bad REMEMBER LIFE BEFORE MID-MARCH?
It seems like so much longer than eight months ago that B.C. Public Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced the first emergency measures aimed at stopping the spread of COVID-19 throughout the province. Since then, physical distancing and other safety measures have Meena Brisard changed the ways we interact with each other — including how we work. As this summer’s COVID-19 edition of Public Employee illustrated, the pandemic has hit CUPE members hard. While many have been able to continue working through the pandemic, despite all the unforeseen challenges that have arisen, many others have experienced lay-offs: at the peak of the crisis, some 19,000 CUPE members were without work. During this period, we have worked even harder on behalf of our members — from those of you trying to get your jobs back to those of you needing health and safety and accommodation assistance in the workplace.
Adapting to a crisis CUPE servicing representatives, specialists, and their support staff began working remotely on March 16. Shifting most of our assignments online, we were able to continue providing dayto-day support for locals in bargaining, mediation, arbitrations and other essential union business. Despite real and significant changes in how we do our work, we have been able to maintain seamless service to our locals throughout the pandemic. From the beginning, staff and locals have worked collaboratively to negotiate agreements with employers — including continuity of wages of benefits, and workplace adjustment plans which, for the most part, have been better than collective agreement language. More recently, we’ve worked with employers to identify safe ways to reopen public facilities. This has included public engagement campaigns for reopening libraries and municipal facilities. Thanks to these campaigns, we have been able to get more facilities open sooner, and in a safe manner. The Township
of Langley is a good example: the role of CUPE’s engagement campaign in reopening recreational facilities in a safe manner was cited in the township’s staff report. For more details about these campaigns, see the “CUPE Action” section of this issue. To say that 2020 has been a difficult year is an understatement. The challenges we have all faced during the pandemic are unprecedented. In the early stages of COVID, when information was changing daily if not hourly or by the minute, we had to make constant adjustments in order to keep providing that seamless service to our locals. But we have persevered, and for this I want to thank our staff for their incredible In the early stages of work during this period. By COVID, when information working collaboratively with was changing daily if not members and employers, we were able to keep services hourly or by the minute, running while assisting with we had to make constant plans both to restore some of adjustments in order to keep those services to pre-pandemic providing that seamless levels and get more of our service to our locals. laid-off members back to work.
Relationships, good communication the key It’s important to remember how different CUPE is from other unions, many of which represent single sectors. As a union representing workers from multiple sectors, CUPE’s success in advocating on behalf of our members depends on working relationships with multiple provincial sector employer associations and government ministries. Good communication is always key, but — as I have said before in this space — it also makes a big difference in outcomes for our members to have a government in Victoria that values their work. This provincial government has not only listened to but also consulted with CUPE and enacted many of our recommendations during the pandemic, particularly for the health sector and in the back-to-school plan for our K–12 members. Thankfully, we have four more years to strengthen that relationship.
MEMBERS ON THE FRONT LINE
CUPE ACT ION
Post-secondary locals tackle pandemic cuts CUPE members from the college and university sectors are coming together to challenge the post-secondary funding model in B.C. — a failure that’s become all the more glaring during the pandemic budget crisis. “The situation calls on us to come together and take action,” said CUPE 116 President Dave Lance. “Not just for the sake of our members, but for the thousands of precarious and vulnerable workers who need affordable access to public education to survive, and recover from, the economic devastation of COVID-19.” When the pandemic first took hold, CUPE post-secondary locals worked jointly across the sectors to quickly transition courses and services to online delivery, while also maintaining necessary campus infrastructure. Their work helped hundreds of thousands of B.C. students save their semesters and get the education they needed to continue their studies or careers. But as the spring semester turned to summer, the pandemic’s negative impacts deepened. Because of enrolment declines, university and college budgets were stressed to the breaking point. Wage continuance and job protection programs suffered as a result. “For years staff, faculty, and students have been raising alarms about the precarious nature of international student enrolments and funding,” said CUPE 15 Executive member Rose Palozzi, who also serves as the Chief Shop Steward for members at Langara College. “The current budget crisis in our colleges and universities is the direct result of funding cuts by successive BC Liberal governments that slashed government funding and undercut the very foundation of our public education system.” Mounting institutional deficits have had profound effects on CUPE members in every corner of B.C. Despite redeployment programs and continued protections at some institutions, layoffs and job losses have quietly increased. From a few dozen at some institutions to hundreds at others, CUPE positions sit empty as enrolments lag and distance learning models continue. Working together, B.C.’s post-secondary locals have submitted an ambitious, cost-shared campaign request to CUPE’s National Executive Board. The campaign would see CUPE members take a provincial leadership role in the fight to defend and expand public funding of B.C.’s post-secondary system, highlighting the importance CUPE members’ work within colleges and universities. With the proposal reviewed in December, campaign activities would begin in January 2021.
VITAL SERVICE Many districts brought back daytime custodians due to the critical services they provide to keep schools clean and safe. Pictured is CUPE 4990 member Laurie Spooner, a custodian in Quesnel.
CUPE K–12 members integral to safe return to schools Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has credited the dedicated efforts of staff with creating the conditions for a safe return to the classroom in September for B.C.’s schoolaged children. CUPE K–12 representatives and all other education stakeholders provided valuable input for the return-toschool plan in a close collaboration with government that underscored the importance of health and safety, and the need for increased custodial services, during the pandemic. A CUPE K–12 steering committee and working groups met throughout the summer and will continue consultations as the school year progresses. “We were so happy to open the school to our kids, and the kids were happy,” said CUPE 3742 member Patty Astorino, an education assistant in Prince George. “Once they were shown and taught how things had changed for them — for their safety — they were very good about it.”
MUNICIPAL PENSION PLAN UNVEILS PROPOSED REDESIGN The Municipal Pension Plan is the largest pension plan in B.C. but hasn’t seen a comprehensive plan design review in half a century — until now. This fall, MPP partners unveiled a comprehensive plan redesign aimed at better reflecting the changing nature of work and retirement, aligning benefits more closely to how the majority of members use them, and rebalancing contribution rates with accrual rates.
The intention of the proposed changes is to improve lifetime pensions for members, do away with a two-tier system for contributions, and ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the plan. Plan partners will present a final agreement to the MPP Board of Trustees by Spring 2021. Subject to the board’s review, the changes will be effective January 1, 2022. Full details about the proposed changes can be found at mppredesign.ca
11
12
NEWS BRIEFS INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY
COMING TO BEIRUT’S AID In the aftermath of the devastating August 4 explosion in Beirut, which caused hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries while leaving hundreds of thousands of people homeless, CUPE BC joined with CUPE National to contribute to the relief effort. The union’s B.C. Division contributed $10,000 of the $25,000 donation to the Lebanese Red Cross. “CUPE stands in solidarity with the Lebanese people and wishes to offer assistance and support to the population,” said CUPE National President Mark Hancock, noting that the union would be following the recovery effort closely in the coming months. 2020 CELEBRATIONS
CUPE 1004 CALLS TO SAVE OUR PNE
A LABOUR DAY LIKE NO OTHER
VANCOUVER | The Pacific National Exhibition — including the jobs of more than 4,000 CUPE members — is still under threat due to the annual summer fair’s exclusion from federal COVID‑19 aid. While independently operated, the PNE is owned by the City of Vancouver — meaning that it’s excluded from the Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy. “While many Canadians and businesses have had support to weather the COVID‑19 pandemic, the PNE is being left behind,” says CUPE 1004 President Andrew Ledger, whose Local represents PNE workers. In an effort to get the federal government to close this loophole, CUPE 1004 has launched a Save the PNE campaign. Send a message to the federal government by visiting SavethePNE.ca.
“We’re all in this together.” That was the main message of CUPE BC’s Labour Day advertising campaign this year. Featuring the music of award-winning Canadian artist Sam Roberts, the ads ran across the province locally on radio stations and in newspapers, as well as in provincial outlets. While the pandemic meant that traditional Labour Day picnics and public gatherings weren’t possible, the radio, print and digital ad campaign encouraged CUPE members — and all working people — to celebrate the contributions workers have made to fighting the pandemic, keeping people safe, and ensuring a fairer, more sustainable economy as we rebuild. “The success of B.C.’s economic recovery is going to depend on workers, just as our successful fight against the pandemic has depended on workers,” CUPE BC President Paul Faoro wrote in a 3.5X3.33LABOURDAYAD.pdf 1 newspapers 2020-11-02 across 10:51:21B.C. AM Labour Day column that ran in “Whether public or private sector, unionized or not, it’s workers who will dig us out of this pandemic.”
BURTON/FORD SCHOLARSHIPS CUPE BC continues to offer the annual Aubrey Burton/Reg Ford Memorial Scholarship to four CUPE members, their spouses, or their children at $500 each. This year’s winners are Lindsay Meir (CUPE 338) for the University category, Brianne Mueller (CUPE 389) for Trade, Samuel Evans (CUPE 23) for College, and CUPE 801 member Liana Lynn, who was selected in a lottery draw of all applications. The Burton/Ford Scholarship was named for two CUPE activists who were both still active in their union and the labour movement at the time of their deaths from tragic accidents. Aubrey Burton was a CUPE representative in the Kootenays during the 1960s who was killed in a car accident on the Upper Levels Highway while on union business. Reg Ford was president of CUPE 402 and a vice-president of CUPE BC in the late 1970s and early 80s. He was killed in an accident at his home while trimming a tree in his yard. C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
Paul Faoro, President Trevor Davies, Secretary Treasurer CUPE.BC.CA
MEMBERS MAKING A DIFFERENCE
CUPE COMMUNITIES
EVERY CHILD MATTERS A year ago, CUPE BC’s Executive Board was able to acknowledge Orange Shirt Day in person.
ORANGE SHIRT DAY: REMEMBERING RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL SURVIVORS To mark Orange Shirt Day on September 30 this year, CUPE BC’s Indigenous Workers Committee decided to produce a video explaining the meaning behind the annual occasion. Featuring Diversity Vice President (Indigenous Workers) Debra Merrier and Alternate DVP Danica Hansen-Hughes (pictured right), the video explains that the purpose of Orange Shirt Day is to acknowledge the multi-generational trauma inflicted on Indigenous people by Canada’s residential school system. The video can be seen on CUPE BC’s Facebook page or in the video gallery: cupe.bc.ca/ orange_shirt_day_message_from_cupe_bc_s_indigenous_workers_committee
Solidarity with IBEW 213 in year-long Ledcor strike COQUITLAM | The federal government needs to scrap outdated Unlike B.C. labour law, the Canada Labour Code contains no labour law that stacks the deck in favour of anti-union private provision for binding arbitration that can impose an agreement. sector employers like Ledcor, CUPE BC President Paul Faoro With Ledcor failing to bargain in good faith, said Faoro, the federal told a solidarity rally for IBEW 213 members on the one-year government must step in. anniversary of their strike for a fair contract and CUPE’s presence at the physically dignity. distant event included Faoro, CUPE Ledcor is one of the largest construction 389 President Cindy McQueen and companies in Canada. Its communications branch, local members, and CUPE 728’s Randy Ledcor Technical Services, refuses to bargain a first Anderson-Fennell, who is also an contract with telecommunications workers who IBEW 213 member. They were joined are members of IBEW 213. Shortly after the union by BCFED President Laird Cronk and achieved a strike mandate, the company fired 31 activists from the New Westminster technicians and then hired replacement workers and Vancouver District Labour Councils from other divisions to do their work. It has also and BC Building Trades, Community contracted out bargaining unit work and laid off Savings, and other supporters. another division entirely. CUPE BC contributed $5,000 to “Ledcor had already cut wage rates, fired the IBEW 213 strike fund, matching SPEAKING OUT CUPE BC President workers and extended working hours a year its donation from last year. CUPE Paul Faoro with Port Coquitlam before this strike even began,” Faoro said at the members can still support striking Mayor Brad West at the picket line. September 30 rally. “It is absolutely shameful that IBEW 213 members by visiting their this company will not even negotiate a first agreement for its picket lines in Coquitlam (1435 Broadway Street) and Vancouver employees — workers who only want job security, decent working (1055 West Hastings), or driving by and honking in solidarity. You can conditions, decent pay, and a little respect.” also join their social media campaign: #ShameOnLEDCOR.
13
14
POWER IN NUMBERS
TREVOR DAVIES, SECRETARY-TREASURER
Adapting, evolving in times of crisis Since the pandemic was first declared in March, COVID‑19 has disrupted all workplaces — CUPE BC being no exception. As a provincial organization that hosts many in-person events, including our annual convention, various conferences, committee meetings, and gatherings of the executive Trevor Davies board, we found ourselves hitting the cancel button on almost everything when the first wave hit British Columbia. But apart from organizing events, our number one priority is supporting CUPE locals and members throughout B.C. With the spread of COVID, it quickly became apparent that our support at that moment was more important than ever: to meet the challenges our locals were facing, we would need to adapt very quickly to rapidly shifting circumstances and change.
More connected, more inclusive To begin with, we had to shift our mindset to operating virtually and helping our locals do the same. Our first initiative was the Local and District Council Pandemic Fund, which provides up to $3,000 per local or district council to spend on purchasing whatever technological equipment they need to serve members virtually. Locals needed to adapt quickly as well, so CUPE BC was able to remove financial barriers for many to purchase or upgrade equipment. For our internal operations, we purchased Zoom accounts and provided training for all CUPE BC staff. We shifted one hundred per cent of our executive board and committee schedule to online meetings, making them shorter but more frequent. To help our leaders adapt to this new meeting format, we offered training to committee chairs on hosting online meetings. Our annual conference turned into a quarterly webinar schedule, with the first rolling out in October.
While many of these changes were in response to public health directives, we have also initiated an internal diversity and inclusion project to review the operations of CUPE BC. As this issue’s cover feature makes clear: if we are going to make changes that have a major impact on how the union operates as an organization, part of that process must be eliminating systemic racism by ensuring it has no place in our union.
Technology — a tool for democracy While some changes occurred quickly, others required a much longer lead time. After seeing other organizations slowly adapt to virtual interviews and struggle with connectivity issues and poor webcams, we decided to design and build a media room at the Burnaby office, for the use of both CUPE BC and CUPE National, to produce high quality videos, conduct live media interviews, and provide online education. From concept to completion, this project took three months and required a commitment to embrace the new technology regardless of what happened with COVID. As one of the first of its kind in CUPE, this investment will be a great asset for our members and locals. We still face a number of challenges, with the 2021 convention being our biggest event. Shifting to a virtual annual general meeting will take an immense amount of time and resources to make happen, but maintaining the democracy of our union means ensuring that a virtual convention meets all the requirements of the in-person variety. We also hope that the changes occurring within our organization will be reflected in the redesign of cupe.bc.ca: the latest upgrade of our website, to a more user-friendly and interactive format, is coming soon. There are many challenges still to come for CUPE BC, our locals and our members. But if we stick to our principles and continue to support one another, we will be able to adapt to each obstacle and emerge as a stronger, more inclusive, and more efficient union. FOLLOW TREVOR ON TWITTER @tdaviescupebc
CUPE BC PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PUBLISHED BY
Canadian Union of Public Employees, British Columbia Division 410 – 6222 Willingdon Ave. Burnaby, B.C. V5H 0G3 POSTAL AGREEMENT # 42016512
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2020
T: 604.291.9119 TOLL FREE: 1.877.263.8568 E: info@cupe.bc.ca PRESIDENT
The International Day of Persons with Disabilities is a global observance aimed at promoting understanding of disability issues and mobilizing support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.
Paul Faoro
This year, we acknowledge the impact of COVID-19 on workers with disabilities. To name just a few:
EDITOR
■■ During the pandemic, persons with disabilities are often the first people laid off and the last people recalled to work. ■■ Not everyone’s quarantine can end when the employer says so. Some persons with disabilities need to continue with physical distancing and can’t necessarily return to work when their co-workers do. (For more information on your workplace rights, talk to your local steward or your servicing rep.) ■■ Physical distancing markers are all visual, which is not helpful to people with vision challenges. ■■ People with disabilities who have health issues a nd/or compromised immune systems, but can’t drive to receive care, are forced to take transit, putting them more at risk of COVID infection. Able-bodied transit users are urged to be kind and leave designated seats for these riders, as not all disabilities are visible. ■■ Some persons with disabilities who cannot wear masks, or who are limited in how long they can wear them, are s ometimes forced to wear them even if they have an exemption, prompting human rights complaints.
SECRETARY-TREASURER
Trevor Davies Dan Gawthrop CONTRIBUTORS
Steven Beasley Clay Suddaby Janet Szliske Greg Taylor PHOTOS
CUPE Communications, Josh Berson, Tina Meadows, and Nadene Rehnby GRAPHIC DESIGN
Pete Tuepah and Nadene Rehnby, Hands On Publications FRONT COVER/FEATURE ART
Emily Thiessen BACK COVER ART
Samantha Monckton, Talking Dog Communications CUPE BC acknowledges that our province of British Columbia is located on the homelands of Indigenous nations and cultures.
The year 2020 has been full of unprecedented challenges for everyone—including you, our members. The first global pandemic in a century has led to enormous personal loss and financial strain, with budget pressures stretching resources to the limit and putting some of our most cherished public services in jeopardy. Many CUPE members have been laid off or forced to find additional work just to make ends meet. Despite these challenges, we have persevered. By changing the way we work and play—by following provincial health guidelines on physical distancing—we have contained the spread of COVID-19, saving lives while keeping B.C.’s economy running, defending good jobs while continuing our children’s education. You’ve stayed connected, limiting in-person meetings to smaller numbers and speaking to each other through Zoom calls and other platforms that help us serve you better. Throughout all this, you have continued to help others even while facing your own difficulties. You've been assisting at homeless shelters and food banks, organizing donation drives, and extending other acts of kindness that keep our communities strong. Our motto throughout the pandemic has been that we’re in this together, and you—our members—have taken this to heart. You've heeded the call to look out for each other, be calm, safe and kind, and prove to the rest of British Columbia just how critical our public services really are. On behalf of everyone at CUPE BC, we want to thank you for everything you do every day to make our province better and share our hopes for much better times ahead. In solidarity,
CUPE.BC.CA
PM# 42016512