Leading the drive to unionize

CUPE runs largest organizing drive in recent B.C. history at University

VANCOUVER | Now, more than ever, workers are joining CUPE. In terms of organizing, 2023 has already proven to be an incredible year for our union.

In the first six months, workers from across B.C. joined CUPE. From library workers in Cranbrook to on-call firefighters in North Cowichan and Science World employees in Vancouver, more and more workers are organizing to use their collective power to improve working conditions and even redress the power balance within their workplaces.

Historic win for workers at UBC

The largest organizing drive in recent B.C. history took place at UBC this year, with Graduate Research Assistants (GRAs) surpassing the threshold for automatic certification in April.

“Thousands of workers have signed a union card and it is clear that they want a more respectful work environment and fair compensation from UBC,” says CUPE 2278 Vice-President Gracy Buckholtz, an organizer with the campaign and a current GRA. Working conditions, compensation and dispute resolution were some of the motivating factors for GRAs seeking union representation, says CUPE 2278 President Emily Cadger.

“GRAs want to be treated like the thousands of other UBC employees who have union protection, respectful working conditions, fair dispute resolution, and compensation that enables them to do their jobs without constantly struggling to make ends meet,” says Cadger.

After an eight-month public campaign, CUPE officially filed an application with the Labour Relations Board (LRB) on April 28 to unionize GRAs and have them join CUPE 2278.

On May 11, the LRB notified the union that more than 55 per cent of all eligible employees had signed a union card. This means that if the LRB dismisses UBC’s objections, they will automatically grant the union’s application to represent GRAs because of the overwhelming support demonstrated.

Strengthening workers’ collective power

Earlier this year, 150 workers at Vancouver’s iconic Science World also successfully applied to join CUPE. Staff at Science World provide front line customer service and work behind the scenes to provide a positive experience for visitors.

These workers join CUPE Local 1004, which already represents several community non-governmental organizations, and form a new Science World unit within the local’s existing structure.

“CUPE 1004 members at Science World love bringing science knowledge and education to the community, but equally they need this work to be sustainable for workers and their families,” said CUPE Local 1004 President Scott McIntosh.

McIntosh notes that some of the key issues their newest members hope to address through bargaining are fair wages, in line with industry standards, that take into account their skills, knowledge and qualifications as well as building a more inclusive workplace with transparent policies.

of British Columbia

Why we needed to organize

By Elana Mabrito and Jed Weiss

This spring, Graduate Research Assistants at the University of British Columbia successfully reached the threshold to unionize with 55 per cent of eligible employees signing a union card, in the hopes of securing a livable wage. As of 2021, UBC’s minimum funding package for PhD students is $22,000 per year. With this package, a student who works 40 hours per week will make less than minimum wage. But many graduate research assistants at UBC work more than 40 hours per week, meaning that some students make an hourly wage in the single digits.

As of 2023, Times Higher Education ranked UBC as the 40th best university in the world. Graduate research assistants create work that positively impacts the university’s profile. Other student workers, from undergraduate research assistants to academic assistants, provide work that allows the university to function. But the current funding structure does not treat student workers like an essential part of the university system. It also replicates current inequalities. If the university is committed to attracting diverse candidates, they need to provide adequate pay, allowing people without other financial sources—including family support—to pursue postsecondary studies.

Research assistants at Simon Fraser University, Concordia, and McGill have previously voted to unionize. With the application for certification in April, UBC has joined the list. UBC student workers need a union because student workers deserve to be fairly compensated for their work— work that allows the university to operate.

Elana Mabrito and Jed Weiss are member organizers working on the UBC organizing campaign.

CUPE 8911 CALLS FOR B.C. STANDARDS

VANCOUVER | The provincial government must establish consistent service and response standards for emergency communications, or B.C.’s emergency response systems may not be able to keep up with changing 9-1-1 technology and higher call volumes.

That was the message from CUPE 8911 (Emergency Communications Professionals of BC) for this year’s Emergency Services Dispatchers and 911 Awareness Week in April.

“For too long, 9-1-1 services have not been able to keep up with rising demand, leading to longer call wait times,” said CUPE 8911 President Donald Grant.

“We need to establish service and response standards for B.C. emergency response systems in line with global benchmarks, ensuring that 90 per cent of all 9-1-1 calls are answered within 10 to 15 seconds.”

CUPE 8911’s advocacy comes on the eve of the largest overhaul of 9-1-1 services in a generation. The Local’s campaign is aimed at ensuring that, as the technology evolves to include new forms of digital communication, ongoing wait time issues are also resolved.

POWERFUL ADVOCATE, NATURAL LEADER CUPE 728’s Debra Merrier was elected as the new Equity Vice-President for Indigenous Workers by the Canadian Labour Congress at its recent convention (May 8-12) in Montreal. Debra has been an incredible voice for Indigenous workers in our union as Diversity Vice-President at both provincial and national levels, and we know she will be a powerful advocate for change and progress at the CLC. Congratulations, Debra!

New Opportunities In Skilled Trades

British Columbia has long had a strong and effective trades training system that offers multiple pathways for individuals to achieve certification, but it’s been two decades since we’ve had a mandatory system. That changed on December 1 last year, when the Industry Training Authority (ITA) was rebranded as SkilledTradesBC.

The new entity has an expanded focus on raising the profile of skilled trades, modernizing the approach to trades training, and implementing Skilled Trades Certification (STC).

“The new certification formally recognizes the skills of trades workers. This will attract more people to trades careers and help meet the labour market demand,” said CUPE BC Secretary-Treasurer Trevor Davies. “There are now more supports in place to help apprentices work towards certification, including waiving exam fees for STC trades and providing self-assessment forms to help apprentices decide the most suitable level exam to challenge.”

As set out in the Skilled Trades BC Act, STC applies to seven electrical and mechanical trades and three automotive trades. For more details, visit: skilledtradesbc.ca\skilledtradescertification

CUPE 1816 REACHES FIVE-YEAR DEAL WITH PACIFIC BLUE CROSS

BURNABY | CUPE 1816 and Pacific Blue Cross signed off on a new, five-year collective agreement in March following a series of productive bargaining sessions that began last fall.

The new agreement includes a 20-per-cent base general wage increase over the term of the agreement, with fixed cost-ofliving adjustment amounts applied in the first two years. There is also an ongoing cost-of-living adjustment clause, commitment to an ongoing hybrid work model, domestic and sexual violence paid leave and paid gender-affirming leave, broader bereavement and family responsibility leaves, and conversion of temporary employees to regular (permanent) status after a duration in the same classification.

TIMELINE FOR JUSTICE In recognition of Black History Month, CUPE BC’s Racialized Workers committee helped research the Celebrating Our Past and Honouring the Present poster. The poster was shared with CUPE locals across B.C. to highlight important advancements towards racial justice. Visit the commitee’s page at cupe.bc.ca

MOURNING OUR FALLEN Delegates took time out from CUPE BC’s annual convention in Victoria on April 28 to participate in the annual National Day of Mourning ceremony. While paying tribute to workers killed or injured on the job, CUPE and other labour leaders reminded participants of the importance of fighting for the living by improving health and safety laws.