SPRING 2011
THE
Vol. 1 Issue 1
Worker Andy Livingston Park, one of the many parks our members look after
We’ve had a makeover! Welcome 1004 Brothers and Sisters to our New Newsletter “The 1004 Worker”. The Worker will be a quarterly publication to keep the Membership informed about what is going on with your Local, CUPE in general and the Union movement. The Newsletter Team invite YOU to submit articles to The 1004 Worker.
• Inside: • • • • •
President’s Message Ten Percent Shift Bargaining Update: PHS Mayor Gregor Robertson walks a day in our shoes ...and more!
To keep our members better informed we would like an updated home and email address. Your information will be kept private. To get on the 1004 contact list send us an email that has your name, department and current address to: newsletter@cupe1004.org.
NEXT UNION MEETINGS: APRIL 12TH, 2011 MAY 10TH, 2011 JUNE 14TH, 2011
5:00pm
Maritime Labour Centre Auditorium 1880 Triumph Street, Vancouver
The 1004 Worker
2 SPRING 2011
Less is more, TMI, or however you put it, it’s best to leave it personal Discussing personal life in the workplace Executive Comment: Mike Jackson, President CUPE 1004 The Union would like to remind our Members about their right to privacy in the workplace. The right to privacy is an important right for all workers. Members have the right to keep their personal lives private when they are at work.
investigated, forced to see an Addictions Specialist or being disciplined in some way. The safest thing to do is to keep communication with Supervisors in the workplace respectful and related to the work issues.
In general, Union Members do not have an obligation to discuss personal details with their Supervisors. It may seem natural to discuss aspects of our personal lives with others in the workplace including our Supervisors. But, you should know that these discussions with Supervisors are not generally off the record.
You do not need to share personal details at work. If you are being asked to disclose personal information that you feel should be kept private please get in touch with a Job Steward or other Union Representative.
Sharing some aspects of your personal life, in particular information about alcohol and drug use (including medications prescribed by your Doctor) or your medical conditions, may result in you becoming subject to further investigation by the Employer. Even the most innocent or off-hand comments can potentially lead to you being
Contact your Doctor to assist with substance abuse We would also like to remind you about the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). You can access these services and all of your personal information is kept confidential. If you think you may need some help from EAP but are not sure, please contact the Union and we can assist you as well.
Day of mourning: the fight continues In 1984, the CUPE National Health and Safety Committee recommended the creation of a day of remembrance for workers hurt or killed while on the job. Last April 28th marked the 26th year that all Canadian Labour Unions under the Canadian Labour Congress (CL) umbrella have come together on the Day of Mourning to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice while simply trying to provide for themselves and their families. In those 26 years, 131 CUPE Members have lost their lives on the job in the last issue of the Health and Safety Update, the Honor Wall at the CUPE national office was introduced. This wall serves as a memorial to all CUPE Members who lost their lives on the job. During the last day of mourning, ceremonies were held across the country from coast to coast in Nova Scotia, CUPE National President Paul Moist spoke, “We vow that an injury to one is an injury to all. We demand the THE
Worker
enforcement of health and safety laws.... We denounce those who place profits before workers health, and we proclaim our right to safe workplaces and respect on the job.” April 2011 will mark the 27th year of the Day of Mourning. The past 27 years have seen improvements to Collective Agreements, and major gains have been made in legislation across the country. However, conservative estimates are that three people are killed at work every day in Canada. Those disturbing statistics, make it clear that we, as a Union, must not rest when it comes to issues of Health and Safety.
SPRING 2011 3
The 1004 Worker
Time to celebrate! All cities around the world reflect how they began and how they were formed to become the metropolis they now represent. Vancouver has become a world class municipality that promotes living with its natural surroundings and the diverse cultural origins. Who would have ever dreamed that this place is a world class urban community that has hosted business and political conferences that shape our ever evolving world. The city truly mirrors its inhabitants and the people who have constructed this thriving civic settlement from the mountain to the sea. With the City of Vancouver set to celebrate its 125th birthday this year, we began to wonder when unionized workers had begun working in the developing years of our town. In 2009 our Sister Local 15 celebrated their 95th Anniversary and that stimulated the Local to research the beginnings of the organized labour movement within the City of Vancouver. In the process of this research it was found that the earliest date referenced was 1910 - found in archives at UBC. Certain departments within the city had already been established but the major work groups that performed the infrastructure work were not organized. Upon further investigation into our beginnings we found a journal in the Union Office. This produced information that the Vancouver and District Labour Council recommend that Outside Workers organized in February 1911. Based on this information and other Minutes from other meetings recorded in this journal, the birth of an organized work force began uniting all work crews
performing work in this booming township. This would be the start of our Union that has represented hard working individuals who have built a city that has developed into a prosperous metropolis that promotes harmony with its surroundings and beauty. In our July 2010 Membership Meeting, a motion was passed to celebrate the early beginnings of our fellow Union Members and the beginning of organizing a municipal work force. The Union will be planning three significant events to celebrate our 100th year Anniversary and would like your participation to help commemorate all the hard work that has been accomplished throughout the years. Together we have built this illustrious background to the majestic natural beauty that surrounds us every day. We plan to have a Media event in early Spring by having a commemorative plaque displayed at City Hall recognizing our beginnings. We want to have a picnic barbeque in the early Summer months so we can all celebrate being part of our Union and enjoy this great city we have built together. Please visit our web site for the actual dates of these Events: http://1004.cupe.ca. Finally in late October we plan to have a commemorative social event to celebrate our 100 years and to reflect on how we have grown throughout all those years. These are ambitious plans, but with our Members support and participation 2011 will be a great year to celebrate.
Mayor finds new respect for sanitation workers walking a day in their shoes Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson found out what it’s like to work collecting and sorting garbage in Vancouver when he appeared on a recent episode of CBC series Make the Politician Work. During the two days Robertson spent as a city sanitation worker he tried a number of jobs normally done by front line staff who are members of Local 1004. “What really struck me was how much people care about their work at the city, how concerned they are about the future and doing better and better. That’s great value for us at the city and it’s great value for taxpayers too,” said Robertson. The episode aired on Feb. 13 and you can watch it on the CBC website.
Mayor Gregor Roberston on one of our trucks THE
Worker
The 1004 Worker
4 SPRING 2011
Thanks, Doug for all your hard work! Doug was a high-energy, tireless Business Agent, and during 20+ years he had many accomplishments for the benefit of all Local 1004 workers. From bargaining to member work site visits, and even visits to the hospital Doug’s willingness to take on every task assigned to him or not - was all done with passion and empathy. He was a teacher, mentor, councillor, and more than anything Doug was a friend to all of CUPE Local 1004! On Saturday evening, January 22nd, 2011 members of Local 1004 - Executive Board, Job Stewards, and many retired members gathered at the P.N.E. “Hastings Room” to hear tributes and roast Doug McNicol, a long time Business Agent of Local 1004. Over 100 guests attended including many from Management and Human Resources of the City of Vancouver. There were also some CUPE National Representatives and a few City Councillors, including
Raymond Louie, David Cadman, and Ellen Woodsworth. Also at the Event was the Staff of Local 1004, Business Agents - Karen Kindrid and Steve Varty as well as our Clerical Staff Denise de Pape (Secretary/Receptionist) and Emilia Di Salvo (Bookkeeper). Doug will officially retire in February and an announcement will be made on his replacement. He will be sorely missed by all, no doubt!
rs e b m e m e h t o t g From Dou
portunity want to take this op I b, jo e th on y da official years. I , 201 1 being my last al over the last 20 oc L e th t en es pr With February 28th re e job for allowing me to necessary to get th hip t or rs pp be su em e M th e n th ve k gi to than have been l Member. emely fortunate to ocal and/or individua tr L ex e th lf se of t my es er er id int rs. ns st co tion and helping othe ought was in the be ac th er I int as l y cia wa so a e th ch th done in su will miss bo admit over the years and so exciting. I must e ds tiv ien ta fr en ny es pr ma Re de a I ma e job as ance with ke the Union and th l rotten egg or griev na sio ca oc e th t People are what ma bu , might pie and fresh coffee to forget that what ple sy ap l ea al ’s ’t It sn . wa ing it al that in my de ally d to keep me honest the Member it person to lot a s an me ue little or no merit helpe ivial iss a Union. presentative as a tr d standing strong as an r he ot ch ea seem to you the Re ng lpi e is, it is all about he affects. Bottom lin you all. e future. I will miss th in st be e th ds frien d your families and I wish all of you an g.
Thanks for everythin
THE
Worker
SPRING 2011 5
The 1004 Worker
Taxes – let’s make them fair By Toby Sanger, CUPE Economist
In contrast, a number of Canadian governments are doing the opposite: reducing corporate income taxes and shifting the cost to the public through higher sales taxes. This will result in a more regressive tax system and increased inequality. Instead of further regressive changes, we need a more pro gressive tax system that closes loopholes and taxes different sources of income fairly. This would not only raise revenue for badly-needed public services and investments, it would also improve economic equality, stability and growth.
Time to give a Financial markets, the media and politicians are raising alarms about a new crisis of public deficits and pushing for cuts to public spending in upcoming budgets. They seem to have quickly forgotten that these deficits are the result of an economic crisis caused by financial market excess, speculation, deregulation—as well as outright fraud—and an increasingly unbalanced and inequitable economic system. Little is being done to fix what really caused the crisis. Instead we’re being distracted by this new “crisis” of public deficits and debts. In reality, while Canadian government deficits certainly have increased in the past three years, our public debt ratio as a share of our economy is still very manageable and lower than it was a decade ago. What should be more of a concern is rising household debts, which reached a record level of almost 150 per cent of household income this year. This debt is caused primarily by real wages that have been stagnant and falling, not keeping up with the rising cost of living. At the same time, Canadian governments are at an extreme in focusing almost entirely on spending cuts to reduce their deficits. Many other countries have more balanced deficit-fighting plans. These include tax increases on high incomes and on the finance sector to have those who caused the crisis pay for some of the costs.
The Ten Percent Shift is a growing, grassroots campaign that had its birth in the “local first” movement. The aim of the Shift is to encourage citizens to shift 10 percent of their household spending towards locally produced goods and services from locally owned businesses.
economies by harnessing the purchasing power of individual consumers. Over the longer term, we hope to capture the imagination of current and future entrepreneurs by demonstrating that there is serious and growing demand for locally made products sold at locally owned businesses.
Building on the success that other jurisdictions have had with the Shift, as well as successful initiatives like the 100 Mile Diet, the Ten Percent Shift gives you more control over how you spend your money, and literally provides more bang for the buck.
Just one or two of us spending more in local businesses won’t accomplish much, but just imagine the impact of several hundred—or more—people in one community pledging to shift ten percent of their spending! Website: http://www. tenpercentshift.ca/
In the short term, our goal is to revitalize local THE
Worker
The 1004 Worker
6 SPRING 2011
Loud noise on job is bad for the heart Source: Calm, Edit By Sandy Ross
A study from UBC found that workers who work in an environment with persistent loud noise are more than twice as likely to suffer serious heart disease and high blood pressure than those who work in a quieter environment. Loud was defined as loud enough to force workers to shout to be heard. There were no concrete answers as to the heart-noise connection but its though to link with psychological and emotional stress. Its thought loud noise may activate chemical messages in the body and cause a sudden and significant reduction in the blood supply to the heart, leading to chest pains, hypertension or even a heart attack. The study did not account for factors such as air quality or shift work.
THE
Worker
PHS Community Services Society (Portland Hotel) bargaining update November 2010, marked the beginning of collective bargaining for our CUPE 1004 Members at the PHS Community Services Society (Portland Hotel). Our 1004 Members at the Portland Hotel work in various housing locations and also INSITE (currently the only safe injection site in North America) to provide supportive living spaces and a safe injection facility, for people in the downtown eastside. Many issues have been settled, and we are pursing for stronger language in the new Contract that will be beneficial to our 1004
Employees. The Committee will be headed back into the final round of bargaining in late February. We are looking forward to bringing our PHS Members at 1004 a Contract that they will be happy with, in the near future. We would like to thank those involved with this year’s round of bargaining and who were on the Committee for the PHS: Andy Healey (Employee), Lauren Fullwood (Employee and Job Steward), Steve Varty (Business Agent CUPE 1004), David Fleming (National Representative) and Michael McGahey (Member-At-Large CUPE 1004).
SPRING 2011 7
The 1004 Worker
Assistance with Injuries
Have you been injured on the job or have developed a condition from your employment?
SERVICES DIRECTORY
Cupe Local 1004 is willing to help members with advice on how to deal with Worksafe BC Compensation claims and Appeals. The Union provides assistance with the processes involved in disputing decisions as a courtesy to members who disagree with judgments made by Worksafe BC or if their Employer appeals their compensable claim. Contact Glenn Jones @ the Union Office @ 604 324 2440 Ext. 229
Vancouver Civic Employee Assistance Program (VCEAP)
Your Direct Line to Help: (604) 665-2150 (24 hours) #1400 - 750 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1H1 This is a source of free, confidential, professional assistance for City of Vancouver employees, their families, and retirees of the City. Terry Brennen, Director; Francine Robinson, Counselor; Kim Fraser, Office Manager.
Counselling For PNE Workers
Interlock provides professional counseling to PNE Employees and their families at no cost. Make an appointment to see an experienced Counselor at one of 6 Lower Mainland offices by calling (604) 431-8200.
The Lawyer Referral Service
The Lawyer Referral Service operates by telephone. Please call during business hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday (604) 687-3221 or 1-800-663-1919 Operators are available to take your call. Once the area of law is determined the operator will provide you with the name and telephone number of a lawyer in your geographical area. You contact the lawyer to set up an appointment to meet. You are entitled to up to a half hour consultation for $25 (plus taxes). This consultation is to determine whether or not you have a legal problem. If you know you have a legal problem and need to hire a lawyer, the Lawyer Referral Service can help you find a lawyer at their regular rate. Or email lawyerreferral@bccba. org.
Monthly meetings:
Come attend our regular membership meetings: Second (2nd) Tuesday of every month at 5:00 p.m. Maritime Labour Centre Auditorium 1880 Triumph Street, Vancouver, BC. THE
Worker
Worker
THE
Wilf Greensill memorial scholarship winners The 2010 winners of the Wilf Greensill Scholarship are: •
•
NATHALIA PIZARRO - PHS Community Services Society (Portland Hotel) Employee; is a Science major at Kwantlen University. STEPHANIE CARRASCO Daughter of Member Rui Carrasco (Sewers); takes Hospitality Management at Vancouver Community College.
TELUS offer to our members Telus has agreed to offer exclusive rate plans to CUPE Local 1004 Members. Contact your nearest Telus dealer and ask for the CUPE Corporate Rate Plan or contact Peter Owen, Smart-Cell Communications at 1-877-286-255 or peter@smartcell.ca.
Contact us
The 2011 Scholarships process will begin soon. Scholarship Applications are available NOW.
Canadian Union of Public Employees, Local 1004 #160 - 111 Victoria Drive, Vancouver, BC V5L 4C4 Telephone: (604) 324-2440 Fax: (604) 324-2459 Website: http://1004.cupe.ca
DEADLINE FOR SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS IS JUNE 30TH, 2011.
Newsletter team: Frank Lee - Editor Mike McGahey - Co-Editor Design: talkingdog.ca, member of UFCW1518
CELEBRATING
About CUPE 1004 President Secretary-Treasurer Recording Secretary 1st Vice-President 2nd Vice-President 3rd Vice-President Member-At-Large Member-At-Large Member-At-Large Member-At-Large Member-At-Large
YEARS OF INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY! SPRING 2011
Mike Jackson Frank Lee Sandy Ross Don Maurice Dave Van Dyke Glenn Jones
Gary Parker Scott McIntosh Andy Woodford Mike McGahey Tricia Meneghello
CUPE 1004 is a multi-sector composite Union Local holding Agreements for: • The City of Vancouver (Outside Workers’) • The Vancouver Board of Parks & Recreation • Pacific National Exhibition / Playland • Parking Corporation of Vancouver (EasyPark) • Downtown Eastside Residents’ Association (DERA) • PHS Community Services Society (Portland Hotel) • Federation of Post Secondary Educators’ of BC (FPSE) • B.C.I.T. Faculty & Staff Association • Colleges • Co-Development Canada & Café Etico
CUPE Local 1004 represents over 2,000 workers’ in Vancouver! The 1004 Worker