HOW WE VOTE | CONVENTION ’18 | FIGHTING PRECARITY | B.C. LABOUR HISTORY BOOK
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE SPRING 2018
A B.C. PREMIER THANKS CUPE
PEOPLE POWER
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LEADING US
PAUL FAORO, PRESIDENT
Reconciliation: Vital for B.C.’s and our union’s future Reconciliation with Canada’s Indigenous people ought to be one of the highest priorities for governments and organizations across the country. Here in B.C., that high priority need has been recognized by the new provincial government under Premier John Horgan. Each cabinet minister in the new BC NDP government received a “mandate” letter from the premier outlining their respective responsibilities, including the requirement that they work to implement the Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
A mandate for action It’s worthwhile to read the reconciliation section of the mandate letters from Premier Horgan to each new cabinet minister: “As part of our commitment to true, lasting reconciliation with First Nations in British Paul Faoro Columbia our government will be fully adopting and implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), and the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. As minister, you are responsible for moving forward on the calls to action and reviewing policies, programs, and legislation to determine how to bring the principles of the declaration into action in British Columbia.” The Truth and Reconciliation Commission, chaired by Justice Murray Sinclair, issued 94 Calls to Action in its final report. The Commission was created in 2008 to document the history of residential schools, a shameful chapter in our country’s history. Thousands of indigenous children were removed from their families’ homes and forced to live away from their language, culture and communities. Many of them never returned home. Generations later, survivors of residential schools are still experiencing serious trauma as a result of this, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was intended to give those victims a voice while honouring those who can no longer speak. It’s obvious that government has both a responsibility and the ability to work towards reconciliation. But what about an
organization like CUPE BC? How do we join in the struggle for true reconciliation?
Proving our commitment According to reconciliation advocates, one of the most important actions for non-Indigenous Canadians is to listen to the voices of those whose lives have been impacted by residential schools — and make space for those voices. One way we can do this is through our Indigenous Workers Committee, established following Convention last year along with those for Workers of Colour, Persons with Disabilities, and Pink Triangle (LGBTQ2+) Workers. We can also work to build greater understanding of the importance of reconciliation to our province. An essential first step is to acknowledge that the land on which we live, work and play remains the unceded traditional territory of the First It’s essential for a Nations that lived here for thousands union committed of years before settlers arrived. to reconciliation We always open our conventions to promote with such an acknowledgment, as understanding, well as an Indigenous welcome. awareness and And CUPE BC’s executive board action towards true meetings also now begin with an acknowledgment of the territory reconciliation in B.C. on which we meet. From this issue onward, you will also find this acknowledgment on Public Employee’s masthead on the inside back cover. While these actions are largely symbolic, I believe it’s essential for a union committed to reconciliation to promote understanding, awareness and action towards true reconciliation in B.C. To that end, we provided a video camera at Convention for delegates to share their thoughts on what reconciliation means to them and what actions they can take to help achieve it. I encourage all members to learn more at the website of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation: nctr.ca/map.php. FOLLOW PAUL ON TWITTER @paulfaoro
MEMBERS ON THE FRONT LINE
CUPE ACTION
Vote ‘yes’ for public trash! MAPLE RIDGE | This October, as part of the community elections, Maple Ridge residents will vote in a referendum on whether or not to introduce a city-run solid waste service. Currently Maple Ridge is the only large municipality in Metro Vancouver that doesn’t offer the service. “Garbage collection has long been a topic of conversation in our community,” says CUPE 622 President Melissa Dunn. “Residents want this service and we know that a city-run and operated model will deliver the best value for residents and will also help address environmental concerns by reducing carbon emissions and improving Maple Ridge’s diversion rate.” In advance of the referendum, the Local is launching a campaign to advocate for a city-run and operated solid waste service. CUPE 622 will be encouraging residents to participate in the upcoming referendum and to vote for candidates that support a public solid waste service.
WELCOME HOME CUPE 1936’s newest members at UBC’s AMS Sexual Assault Support Centre (SASC) do advocacy and support work, provide information and referrals, and help students who have experienced gender violence. From left: CUPE Servicing Representative Sanford Lee, Melissa Singh, Nazanin Moghadami, CUPE 1936 President Sheryl Burns, Habibatou Ba, CUPE Organizing Coordinator David Fleming. For more on new members, see page 6. SAFE SCHOOLS CUPE 411 members hear from legal counsel Carmela Allevato, who explained the reasons and process for filing a Human Rights complaint.
CUPE 411 files human rights complaint CHILLIWACK | When Trustee Barry Neufeld made homophobic and transphobic comments regarding the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) policy adopted by School District 33, CUPE 411 knew they could not stand idly by and allow students and staff in Chilliwack schools to be discriminated against or made to feel unsafe at work. In a Facebook post, now deleted, Neufeld made comments decrying SOGI as a “weapon of propaganda”, saying that
allowing transgender children to express their gender identity was “child abuse.” The legal firm Allevato Quail & Roy filed the human rights complaint on behalf of CUPE 411 in January. The firm explained that the case is not about freedom of expression but about providing safe workplaces by affirming that transphobia and homophobia have no place in our schools. “This is about protecting human rights not only of our members, but of the students, too,” said CUPE 411 President Shana Kirkland. “As education support workers, everything we do works towards creating an environment for students that supports them and is safe and inclusive.”
MAKING THE GRADE The muchanticipated move to CUPE’s new regional and B.C. Division offices (6222 Willingdon Avenue, in Burnaby’s Metrotown district), took place over the second weekend of February. Here, CUPE BC SecretaryTreasurer Trevor Davies joins Persons With Disabilities committee members Sunera Samarakoon (alternate diversity vice-president) and Cindy Chisholm for an accessibility inspection of the new building.
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CUPE ACTION
MEMBERS ON THE FRONT LINE
VOICES
CUPE MEMBERS IN THE MEDIA
“Dispatchers and call-takers are often the first person exposed to trauma and tragedy when they receive a 911 call. They are the first, first responders, who have to manage extremely challenging situations while remaining calm and professional.” — CUPE 873 President Cameron Eby responds to new legislation that ensures that first responders with post-traumatic stress disorder need no longer prove their condition is a result of their job. Victoria Times-Colonist, April 12, 2018. “We look forward to continuing to partner with the district to provide quality community services to residents and businesses.” — CUPE 1136 President Lionel Bruckal, on a new five-year contract for the 80 District of Summerland workers who staff local water and waste-water treatment departments, public works, engineering and recreation and clerical services for the District and the RCMP. Okanagan Weekend, March 17, 2018. “When their children are not in school, parents may be unable to cover the cost of childcare so they can work elsewhere.” — CUPE 3523 President David Tether, in a letter to the board, calls for School District 23 to support extra minutes per working day to 10-month employees, to compensate for the money they lose from the implementation of a two-week spring break. Lake County Calendar, March 16, 2018. “It’s never enough…but it is good to see they are recognizing [that] there needs to be some money put back in to replenish the system and allow it to grow.” — CUPE 606 President Rob Zver, on a budget amendment that, thanks to a jump in revenue, will see $1 million spent on 18 new initiatives in the next school year. Ladysmith Chronicle, February 6, 2018. “If we’re running programs with this amount of international students coming in, make sure our faculty are hired in advance, make sure they are prepared for their classes. Then evaluate the students when they come in and say ‘What do they need?’” — CUPE 4951 President Lily Bachand calls for more support services for international students at the College of New Caledonia. Prince George Citizen, February 1, 2018 “There’s a little bit for everyone in this agreement.” — CUPE 105 President Rick Gilker, on a new four-year agreement with the City of Prince Rupert, including annual twoper-cent wage increases, that reflects the rate of inflation and cost of living. The Northern View, December 13, 2017.
CUPE health workers ready for bargaining FEBRUARY CONFERENCE CALLS FOR ‘CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM’ DESPITE LOW WAGES, HIGH WORKLOAD IN SECTOR NEW WESTMINSTER | Despite ongoing challenges such as low wages and high workload, CUPE members in B.C.’s community health sector can head into the next round of contract talks with a cautious sense of optimism, a CUPE health care bargaining conference concluded. The February 6 conference, hosted by CUPE’s Health Care Presidents’ Council, was aimed at setting priorities and electing bargaining representatives for CUPE members in both the Community Bargaining Association (CBA) and the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association (HSPBA). Bargaining between the CBA and the Health Employers Association of BC begins on May 14. Guest speakers agreed that a new provincial government committed to a strong public health care system, along with renewed efforts toward coordinated bargaining, should lead to some improvements in this sector. CUPE BC President Paul Faoro noted that the bargaining landscape is looking brighter with the appointment of former Hospital Employees’ Union assistant secretary-business manager Jacquie de Aguayo as permanent chair of the BC Labour Relations Board. Edith MacHattie and Nathanel Lowe of the BC Health Coalition stressed the need for renewed health care funding in B.C. while noting some encouraging developments in health care reform. CUPE Researcher Sarah St. John presented the results of a recent workload and bargaining survey that revealed how the quality of health services is suffering due to excessive workload and understaffing. And CUPE Health Coordinator Chris Losito, providing an overview of the bargaining environment, discussed how the sector could learn from the survey results in developing sound bargaining strategy.
MEMBERS ON THE FRONT LINE
CUPE ACTION
New management team set for B.C. BURNABY | A new management team for CUPE’s British Columbia region took office on April 3. Meena Brisard is the new regional director. She replaces Robin Jones, who retired in January after nine years in the position following more than two decades as a CUPE national servicing representative. Brisard had served as assistant regional director since Fall 2014 after 17 years as a CUPE local activist and national servicing rep. The new assistant regional director is Rob Jandric, a Meena Brisard and Rob Jandric national servicing rep who also served for seven years as regional president of the Canadian Staff Union (CSU 1-BC). Jandric, a member of CUPE 7000 working for Southern Railway, joined CUPE staff in Fall 2006.
K–12 PRESIDENTS’ COUNCIL GETS DOWN TO BUSINESS BURNABY | The K–12 Presidents’ Council met for two days in March to begin preparations for the next round of provincial bargaining. The current contract expires on June 30, 2019. During the meetings, the Violence in the Workplace Task Force presented an in-depth report and presidents passed a motion for a cost share with CUPE National to conduct a provincial campaign about violence in the workplace and unreasonable workloads, which affect all K–12 support staff. Council members also worked on a provincial K–12 bargaining survey as the first step in preparing for bargaining. The survey has gone out to all K–12 members. CUPE 779 President Andrea Smith, elected by acclamation to a three-year Trustee position, was sworn in by K–12 Presidents’ Council Chair Marcel Marsolais. The Council meets again from May 1 to 3.
GET ACTIVE CUPE BC’s Political Action Committee produced this pamphlet as a resource for members considering running for office.
BIG CHANGES FOR LOCAL ELECTIONS COMMUNITY ELECTIONS IN B.C. ARE COMING EARLY THIS YEAR — AND WITH NEW RULES FOR HOW CUPE BC RUNS ITS CAMPAIGNS For decades, local elections for mayor, council and school board have been held in November. For the first time, these elections will now be held in October, and donations from unions and corporations have been banned. Those changes, along with strict limits on how much “third parties” like CUPE Locals and the Division can spend on campaigns, mean we have to do politics differently. “With low spending limits, and the ban on donations from organizations, the local labour council endorsements will be even more important than in the past,” says CUPE BC President Paul Faoro. “A strong CUPE presence at every labour council will ensure that those endorsements reflect the views and interests of our members.” CUPE BC will be mounting a significant member-tomember campaign as the elections near, encouraging members to vote for the progressive candidates in their community who understand the importance of public services and the people who deliver them. If you’d like to learn more about CUPE BC’s campaign, or would like to get involved at the community level, e-mail the Political Action committee at:
politicalaction@cupe.bc.ca
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CUPE ACT ION
MEMBERS ON THE FRONT LINE
Expanding the CUPE family
© CUPE
CAMPUS SERVICES CUPE 15 members work with the elected Langara Students’ Union board to provide a broad range of services to Langara students. After a difficult round of bargaining, the Local recently reached a tentative agreement on a five-year contract.
Pension plan transfer ratified COQUITLAM | CUPE 561 members have ratified the agreement to transfer active employees in School District 43’s Non-Teaching Pension Plan (NTPP) to the BC Municipal Pension Plan (MPP). The main terms of the agreement include a 4-per-cent wage increase to cover the pension contribution difference between the two plans, full recognition in the MPP of all past service in the NTPP, and a “no worse off” guarantee for members who retire within five years of transferring to the MPP. It is expected that active members in the NTPP will become MPP members by June, following the latter’s ratification in May.
LABOUR CODE CHANGES RECOMMENDED VANCOUVER | A dozen “common sense” proposals to improve the BC Labour Relations Code will reduce barriers to workers joining a union and will help build better lives, CUPE BC President Paul Faoro has told a provincial government panel of special advisers reviewing the Code. In a March 28 presentation, Faoro and CUPE National Legal Representative Martina Boyd made 12 recommendations to restore balance to the Code. “The changes we’re proposing are not radical,” Faoro told the review panel. “They’re common sense proposals that are in place in many other provinces, and it’s way past time that they were adopted here.” CUPE BC’s dozen recommendations include restoring cardbased certification to grant automatic certification to unions demonstrating more than 50-per-cent support from workers in a proposed bargaining unit; reducing the voting period from ten days to three days where a vote is required, and expediting the adjudication of any bona fide objections raised in the certification process; and eliminating the use of mail-in ballots except where the parties consent.
BURNABY | Hundreds of workers from diverse sectors were welcomed to CUPE locals in B.C. over the winter. At the end of November, 30 employees at Flair Airlines joined the union through a successful national organizing drive. In another national campaign, approximately 300 RCMP telecom operators and intercept monitors from B.C. and the Yukon became CUPE members in January. CUPE 410 welcomed 37 workers from the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria (AGGV) in November. These workers are integral to every aspect of the Gallery’s operations. They provide curatorial services, exhibit design and preparation, manage the Gallery Shop, and provide IT, security and custodial services, to name just a few. December saw 55 Simon Fraser University Student Residence Life workers join CUPE Local 3338 and three workers at Children’s House Montessori Preschool Society become members of CUPE 561. The new SFU members work throughout the university residences as community advisors, area coordinators, programming assistants and orientation assistants.
BC NDP’S FIRST BUDGET SCORES VICTORIA | Finance Minister Carole James’s first full provincial budget, tabled in the legislature on February 20, continued the new BC NDP government’s work in turning the page on 16 years of BC Liberal misrule. This year’s budget introduced new programs and additional funding to make life fairer and more affordable for British Columbians, including the full elimination of Medical Services Plan premiums, the last such regressive tax in Canada. “This budget represents a big step away from the record and direction of the BC Liberals,” said CUPE BC President Paul Faoro. “For 16 years, provincial budgets focused on the wealthy and well-connected and the big corporations that bankrolled BC Liberal election campaigns. This budget takes action on the most pressing issues of the day facing people all over the province.” Faoro added that CUPE members would be glad to see the focus on improving affordability in this year’s budget, particularly as it relates to child care and housing.
PRESERVING LABOUR HISTORY Some of the original organizers of the Association of University and College Employees (AUCE 1), CUPE 2950’s predecessor, chat about the early days for a Local 2950 video project on the organization of UBC clerical workers in 1975. From left: current CUPE 2950 Second Vice President Susanne Lester, Emerald Murphy, Jean Rands, Jackie Ainsworth, and Ian McKenzie.
CUPE BC CONVENTION 2018
PREMIER IN THE HOUSE John Horgan, the first premier since Glen Clark to address Convention, thanked CUPE BC for its support and outlined some of his government’s achievements in its first nine months.
CUPE GALLERY
ACTION NOW Delegates supported OH&S Committee resolutions on workplace violence.
UNION PASSION The young workers cruise was a hit; NOMADESC’s Berenice Celeyta with Minister Judy Darcy.
LEADERS SPEAK Delegates heard from CUPE National President Mark Hancock on Friday and BC Federation of Labour President Irene Lanzinger on Saturday.
HUMAN RIGHTS WARRIORS Sunera Samarakoon wins the Disability Activist award; Equality DVPs pose with Mark Vossberg as Rosie the Riveter at Equality Night event.
SMOOTH LANDING CUPE National Secretary-Treasurer Charles Fleury, Mark Hancock, and staff welcomed new members of WestJet and Flair to CUPE’s airline division.
SO LONG! CUPE BC bid fond farewells to retiring Director of Operations Sharon Prescott (left) and, at the drop of the gavel, Administrative Assistant Shirley Loftus.
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Making Every Vote Count HOW PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION WILL IMPROVE DEMOCRACY IN B.C. How many times have you heard someone say, “Why bother voting? It’s not like my vote is going to make a difference!” It’s that kind of sentiment that contributes to low voter turnout in election after election. But in many cases, it’s understandable: thanks to our current system, people feel that their individual choice on election day isn’t reflected in the outcome. In “first-past-the-post” elections, COVER the overall popular vote is often not STORY reflected in the number of seats a party wins. In the 2001 provincial election, for example, the BC Liberals won 77 seats in the Legislature with just 57 per cent of the popular vote, while the BC NDP’s 22 per cent of the popular vote won them just two seats. Put another way: 57 per cent of the vote won 98 per cent of the seats in the Legislature, while 22 per cent won just two per cent of the seats. Other elections conducted under the first-past-the-post system, while not as skewed as the 2001 results, also produced outcomes that didn’t accurately or fairly reflect the popular vote. In the 2015
federal election, the Liberals won less than 40 per cent of the popular vote but won 54 per cent of the seats, forming a majority government. The NDP, on the other hand, received just under 20 per cent of the popular vote but won just 13 per cent of the seats.
No more false promises Despite Justin Trudeau’s and the Liberals’ campaign promise to bring in proportional representation — and that the 2015 election would be the last one held under first past the post — Trudeau broke that promise almost immediately after being sworn in as prime minister. In the 2017 British Columbia election, now-Premier John Horgan and the BC NDP also campaigned on a promise to hold a referendum on proportional representation. Unlike the federal Liberals, the BC NDP is keeping its promise, and a provincial referendum must be held no later than November of this year. After two failed referenda on proportional representation under the BC Liberals (both of which required a substantially higher
“yes” vote — 60 per cent — than a simple majority), this is a generational opportunity to bring in a fairer electoral system that will ensure that every vote actually counts. “Opponents of a new system of voting are really just trying to maintain the status quo, which more often than not has been very good for the wealthy and the well-connected but hasn’t worked very well for the rest of us,” says CUPE BC President Paul Faoro. “First past the post results in entrenched partisanship in the Legislature, and that in turn results in policies that too often divide rather than unite us.”
Finding common ground For those wondering what the B.C. Legislature would look like under proportional representation, Faoro points to the bi-partisan cooperation between the Green Party caucus and the BC NDP caucus. “The agreement between the caucuses — the Confidence and Supply Agreement — is a great example of how elected representatives can work across party lines to create progressive government that’s tackling the issues that really matter to working people,” he says. CUPE BC strongly supports a ‘Yes’ vote in the referendum and will be investing significant resources to make sure that all our members understand what’s at stake in this campaign. The B.C. Division is also working with other unions and civil society groups to support the Make Every Voter Count coalition. To find out more about the coalition, visit www.voteprbc.ca
Opponents of a new system of voting are really just trying to maintain the status quo, which more often than not has been very good for the wealthy and the well-connected but hasn’t worked very well for the rest of us. — Paul Faoro.
HOW WILL THE REFERENDUM WORK? The referendum will be a mail-in ballot. Every registered voter in the province will receive a ballot. While the question has not yet been determined, a simple majority (50 percent plus 1) “Yes” vote will result in a new proportional representation system being implemented in time for the next provincial election, scheduled for October, 2021.
WHAT WILL PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION LOOK LIKE? The precise model of proportional representation has not yet been chosen, but all the models under consideration would result in a more equitable distribution of seats between parties that reflects the provincial popular vote.
HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED? CUPE members who would like to participate in the campaign to bring proportional representation to B.C. should visit www.cupe.bc.ca and follow the links to pledge to vote in the referendum. You will then be contacted with ways you can help. To get directly involved in CUPE BC’s member-to-member campaign, contact Nathan Allen at nallen@cupe.ca. 9
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LINKING LABOUR
MEENA BRISARD, REGIONAL DIRECTOR
All hands on deck for 2018 round of bargaining Of all the things we do as a union, collective bargaining is the heart of our work. Over the decades, we’ve improved salaries and working conditions, secured job security and negotiated and preserved pension plans to ensure a decent retirement income for our members. Achieving the best collective agreements possible continues to be our priority. Meena Brisard The next round of bargaining is set to begin for tens of thousands of CUPE members in the municipal, universities, colleges, K–12, health, and community social services sectors. Many of these members are getting to the table early, and at least one group — CUPE 873 — will be getting a fresh start: thanks to last Fall’s announcement that a standalone bargaining unit has been created for B.C.’s ambulance paramedics and dispatchers, those 3,600 members are no longer in the Facilities Bargaining Agreement and, for the first time in 16 years, will be engaging in free collective bargaining.
On the same page CUPE’s national and regional bargaining strategy, which calls for no-concession agreements and no two-tier bargaining, is an excellent guide for our efforts at the table. But we’re not stopping there: this June, national staff will be working collaboratively with the B.C. Division on an all-presidents bargaining and educational think tank aimed at assisting locals for the next round of negotiations. Apart from reviewing national and regional bargaining policy, the meetings will cover topics such as model language for occupational health and safety, violence in the workplace, and precarious workers; legal issues surrounding essential services and replacement workers; how to access CUPE’s defence funds and cost shares; and how locals should operate during a strike. Throughout bargaining, CUPE’s national servicing and specialist staff play a critical role. Working directly with local presidents
and bargaining committees, our servicing reps leave no detail unaddressed. Our sector coordinators hold regular meetings with national staff throughout the province. And our specialists in union development, legal, research, and communications are there to educate, inform, and better prepare CUPE members for bargaining.
Dealing with change Like all workplaces, we must keep pace with constant staff turnover due to retirements and transfers, and we are serious about recruiting and training in order to build a solid roster of skilled servicing reps and specialists. CUPE will be running three trainee rep programs in 2018 for provinces other than Quebec — the most CUPE National has run in a single year. In the 2018 budget, we also have funding for a peer coach/mentor to This year will see three provide new staff with the support rounds of the trainee they need to be successful in every rep program in B.C., the aspect of the union’s work. most CUPE National Meanwhile, CUPE continues to grow in B.C. In 2017, we organized has run in a single year. workers in the municipal, childcare, arts and culture, airlines, and university sectors. Most of these new members were under B.C.’s Labour Code, but we also had two federal certifications expanding CUPE’s presence in the airline industry by organizing the ground staff at China Airlines in Vancouver and Flair Airline flight attendants in five cities across Canada. Combined with support for two national organizing drives — West Jet Flight Attendants and RCMP civilian members — plus 10 new members at UBC — that’s 642 workers brought into the CUPE family since January last year. We need to provide first collective agreement resources for these recently certified locals. I look forward to providing those resources — and working with some of our reps who have experience developing first collective agreement language — to make sure that these new CUPE locals are as bargaining ready as our most seasoned locals.
PRECARIOUS WORK
CUPE FOCUS
ORGANIZING FOR STABLE JOBS Sessional instructors have to apply for courses every term, and many face the constant stress of not getting enough courses the following term to cover living expenses.
Making gains in bargaining
BURNABY | In recent years, the term “precarious work” has cropped up in more and more conversations in the labour movement, with increasing numbers of people describing their employment as “precarious” and the issue gaining more prominence from local bargaining tables to CUPE’s B.C. division convention. Precarious work is on the rise across Canada, spreading into new areas of employment. The growing reliance on auxiliary, temporary or part-time work has serious consequences in all sectors. People’s lives, families, and communities are deeply impacted when employers reduce hours and convert full-time jobs to temporary positions. Unstable employment is especially hard on workers who do not belong to a union. Many precarious workers struggle to meet their monthly obligations, let alone save enough disposable income to spend in their communities. Some are even forced to use community resources that were never intended for people who have jobs.
Precarity: an added stress In the K–12 sector, recruitment and retention of Education Assistants is a huge problem, due in large part to insufficient hours in many districts. Many EAs in this situation find it challenging to support a family with only one job. Permanent, part-time employment is also high among library workers, with 70 per cent of library clerks having part-time hours. Library workers build relationships with patrons that are important, especially in lower income neighbourhoods. When staff move from branch to branch because they’re chasing work, there’s no opportunity to build or maintain those relationships, resulting in a lower level of service and community engagement. In the post-secondary sector, academic jobs are also becoming more and more precarious, as teaching is increasingly the responsibility of sessional instructors rather than tenured faculty.
Many sectors are working to improve language for casual and auxiliary workers at the bargaining table. CUPE 523, representing K–12 workers in the Okanagan, has converted numerous temporary jobs to regular positions by enforcing the plain contract language defining “temporary worker” in their collective agreement. CUPE 23, city workers in Burnaby, have converted temporary positions into full-time positions during bargaining. They have also created two member-at-large executive positions to give precarious workers a voice. CUPE 387, municipal workers in New Westminster, achieved major gains for precarious workers in their latest contract. As well as converting seasonal workers to regular full-time employees over two years, the Local has secured benefits for all temporary full- and part-time workers and addressed issues around auxiliary workers by converting regular part-time positions to full-time. Success took time and hard work. President Hardeep Maghera explains that CUPE 387 first had to build the Local and its capacity, and then build relationships with their employer. The third key to success has been political action: the Local maintains regular communications with councillors in an ongoing process, not just at election time. “Bargaining is the culmination of all the work done in the months and years previous,” says Maghera.
Organizing precarity away Liam McDonald, a Residence Life worker at SFU who is a new CUPE 3338 member, sums up why he wanted a union: “One of the appeals of a union is having a voice in the workplace, especially regarding changes. With a union we’ll have more of a say in how that happens.” Workers need unions, and the collective power that comes with them. Organizing brings more members into CUPE, increasing membership and density across sectors and communities. It raises the floor for wages and working conditions, allowing workers to speak with one voice in defending workplace rights and public services.
PITFALLS OF PRECARITY • Needing to work other jobs to make ends meet • Stress due to financial pressure impacting mental health • Lack of job security making it harder to raise concerns • Inability to plan vacations or time with friends or family (due to fear of consequences if shifts are turned down) • Coming to work sick because you don’t have sick days
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CUPE COMMUNITIES
MEMBERS MAKING A DIFFERENCE
BRINGING OUR STORIES ALIVE IN PRINT ROD MICKLEBURGH’S ON THE LINE IS THE FIRST MAJOR HISTORY OF B.C.’S LABOUR MOVEMENT BURNABY | A unique collaboration between the BC Labour Heritage Centre, Harbour Publishing, and former Globe and Mail Reporter Rod Mickleburgh has resulted in On the Line: A History of the British Columbia Labour Movement, the most comprehensive popular history of trade unions in this province ever published. In prose both accessible and engaging, On the Line tells the story of how B.C.’s labour organizations have shaped the economic, political and social fabric of the province—at a cost of much blood, sweat, toil and tears. Mickleburgh’s account of the struggles of B.C. workers is epic in scope, ranging from the strike by Scottish labourers at B.C.’s first coal mine at Fort Rupert in 1849 to the BC Teachers’ Federation’s recent Supreme Court victory to improve classroom conditions. On the Line, which includes more than 200 archival photos, also highlights the role played by women, Indigenous, and minority workers in fighting for equality and democracy in workplaces and communities. A special May Day book launch party for On the Line will be held on May 1 at the Hilton Metrotown Crystal Ballroom (6083 McKay Avenue, Burnaby) from 5:30 – 8 p.m. Contact info@labourheritagecentre.ca for more information.
Union committed to international solidarity projects BURNABY | At the CUPE BC Convention in 2005, delegates established the Colleen Jordan Humanity Fund, in honour of the outgoing secretarytreasurer’s commitment to solidarity work abroad and humanitarian work at home. Since then, CUPE BC has used the fund to support a variety of important causes. In the 2018 budget, the union has committed $77,500 to international solidarity projects and just over $49,000 in Canadian project donations. Internationally, most of the funds support CoDevelopment Canada’s projects in Cuba, Nicaragua and Colombia, as well as Stephen Lewis’s AIDS-Free World and Seva Canada (eye care). At home, CUPE BC’s largest contributions have gone toward Pivot Legal Society’s work on behalf of societies most marginalized, the Hope in Shadows Calendar, Protein for People, the Honour House gala, and the BC Coalition of Childcare Advocates.
SISTER POWER Earlier this year, CUPE members participated in a number of events highlighting the power of women to effect social change. These included, clockwise from top, the Women’s Memorial March commemorating missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls on February 14, the March On rally mobilizing diverse women and allies on January 21, and the CUPE Metro Vancouver District Council lunch on International Women’s Day, March 8.
MEMBERS MAKING A DIFFERENCE
CUPE COMMUNITIES
Celebrating the Ginger Goodwin legacy at 100 CUMBERLAND | This summer’s hundredth anniversary of the death of Albert ‘Ginger’ Goodwin, one of the most celebrated labour activists in Canadian history, is shaping up to be a memorable event for CUPE members on Vancouver Island. From June 22 to 24 at various local venues, the Vancouver Island District Labour Council and Cumberland Museum and Archives will be co-hosting the 33rd annual Miners Memorial, a commemoration of fallen workers highlighting labour history and contemporary labour issues. The weekend program will include participatory art and music projects, the Goodwin’s Reach exhibit, a symposium, workshops and talks, the re-enactment of Goodwin’s funeral procession, and other engaging programming. For details, including the full schedule, tickets, and registrations, visit: minersmemorial.ca
Family Day swim unites community NELSON | CUPE locals 339 and 2262 joined forces to host a free Family Day swim at the Nelson and District Community Complex on February 12. The locals offered free admission for the afternoon and also had drinks and snacks on hand for swimmers to enjoy. “Our members work and live in Nelson and are proud to be part of our community,” said CUPE 339 President Mike Stefiuk. “We were so pleased to host this free family swim day and, at the same time, have the opportunity to showcase one of the great public services Nelson has to offer.” CUPE 339 has recently launched a public awareness campaign to increase community knowledge about who the Local is and what types of community services they provide.
NO BULLYING CUPE members stand up for safe schools and workplaces throughout B.C. every day. On Pink Shirt Day, February 28, CUPE Local 951 support staff at UVic (top left) and CUPE 454 civic workers in Delta wore pink to take a stand against harassment. In April, members of CUPE 411 (K–12 support staff), left, attended an event to support sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) programs in Langley schools.
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POWER IN NUMBERS
TREVOR DAVIES, SECRETARY-TREASURER GLOBAL JUSTICE Through CoDev, CUPE BC has long sponsored the work of NOMADESC, a Colombian human rights organization whose director, Berenice Celeyta, addressed the 2018 Convention.
Spending that’s worth every penny Every year at the February meeting of our executive board, a number of donations and strategic spending contributions are brought forward for consideration. These requests represent a large part of our budget and each year we are careful to ensure that we balance the need to be a highly active and functioning union with the need to be a fiscally responsible and well-organized union. We are proud that these contributions go to community organizations that do important work on behalf of our members and society. I want to tell you a bit more about some of them: BC Labour Heritage Centre Society – $20,000 This group continues its work to preserve, document and present the rich history of working people and unions throughout B.C. We have committed to working more closely with this important society. Karen Ranalletta, one of our four general vice presidents, Trevor Davies serves on the society’s board of directors to ensure that future generations of British Columbians never forget the important role that unions have played in our province. Check Your Head – $7,500 The Youth Global Education Network is a youth-driven, not-forprofit organization that provides education, resources, training and support for youth to live as engaged, independent citizens who can become leaders in our communities. Western Regional Summer Institute for Union Women – $12,000 This institute, which empowers female union activists from across western Canada and the U.S., represents one of the few opportunities for leadership development that CUPE BC provides exclusively for its female executive board members. Building the strength and capacity of our provincial leaders is critical
to ensuring the long-term success of our provincial union. This year, three board members (two general vice presidents and one regional vice president) will attend the 2018 institute, themed: “The RESISTERhood – Working Women Organizing for Collective Power.” CoDevelopment Canada (CoDev) – $65,000 The primary benefactor of the funds available in our Colleen Jordan Humanity Fund is the B.C.-based CoDev. The CJ Fund provides exclusive funding for international labour solidarity projects and domestic anti-poverty initiatives. The work of CoDev Canada, focused on Latin American countries, works with labour unions to help grow their capacity to improve the working conditions in these countries. This is a great example of how we can use our resources to help international unions I am proud to serve build their strength and capacity to improve the world (and, as an added as the secretary bonus, CoDev staff are members of treasurer of an CUPE Local 1004). organization that has These are just a few of the key donations we make to strategic the ability to support partners and various projects, but causes that make our I hope this partial list gives you a union and the world better idea of how CUPE BC spends a better place. its money. Like many locals, we have developed relationships with key groups and not-for-profits to support projects that benefit our members and the communities we live in. Our finances are precious, and while there are always more requests than what we can afford, we must balance the need to support allies and the need to build up the Defence Fund for strike support. In any case, I am proud to serve as the secretary treasurer of an organization that has the ability to support causes that make our union and the world a better place. 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
ROD MICKELBURGH
POSTAL AGREEMENT # 42016512 T: 604.291.9119 "YOU CANNOT READ THIS BOOK AND NOT BE OVERWHELMED BY ALL THE FORCES THAT OPPOSED THE PROGRESS OF WORKERS OVER MORE THAN A CENTURY OF LABOUR HISTORY." - IRENE LANZINGER, BC FEDERATION OF LABOUR
F: 604.291.9043 E: info@cupe.bc.ca PRESIDENT
Paul Faoro AVAILABLE NOW AT LABOURHERITAGECENTRE.CA
SECRETARY-TREASURER
Trevor Davies EDITOR
CUPE SPRING
WEEK-LONG
SCHOOL
Come and experience CUPE’s popular week-long school in the heart of B.C.’s Interior.
POWERFUL LEARNING, AT ITS BEST!
Book now to expand your horizons and sharpen your activist tools. Coast Kamloops Conference and Convention Centre
May 27–June 1
Dan Gawthrop CONTRIBUTORS
Kathryn Davies Clay Suddaby Janet Szliske PHOTOS
THIS YEAR’S WORKSHOPS: Stewarding Introduction to Human Rights Financial Officers
CUPE Communications, Josh Berson, and CUPE Locals 339, 454, 728, 951, and 1260 GRAPHIC DESIGN
Pete Tuepah and Nadene Rehnby, Hands On Publications
Politics in Action Local Executive Training
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 CUPE’s Fall School will be held in Nanaimo from October 29 to November 2, 2018. We will be piloting our brand-new week-long Conflict Resolution workshop, along with the Local Executive Training program.
COVER PHOTO
Josh Berson CUPE BC acknowledges that our province of British Columbia is located on the homelands of Indigenous nations and cultures.