By JT bargaining-updates 0 Comments

CUPE 389 – Member Update, District of North Vancouver members

CUPE 389 – Member Update, District of North Vancouver members

October 31, 2023

 

Inflationary support payment update

Our new contract includes an inflationary support payment that applies to any active employee (at date of ratification) who worked in 2022. The 3.5% and 1% lump sums are to be calculated on the hours worked by those employees in 2022.

 

During our bargaining session with the mediator, the union and the employer agreed on how these payments would be applied.

 

Unfortunately, the employer now disagrees with this interpretation. We’re extremely disappointed that the employer is taking a different position than was previously agreed to, on this important payment intended to help ease the high cost of living and working in this region.

 

What does this mean for me?

The employer has told us that they believe the inflationary support payment should only be paid to members employed as of January 1, 2022, and active at the time of ratification. The employer has communicated the following to the union:

 

As the language states that District employees who were employed as of January 1, 2022, and active at the time of ratification, we will not be applying the payment to anyone who was hired after January 2022.

 

In reply, we have identified this interpretation as incorrect and inconsistent with what the parties discussed and agreed to at the bargaining table. We’ve expressed our disappointment with the employer now attempting to back away from what was collectively bargained and what has been correctly applied by every other employer who has negotiated a similar clause.

 

We have contacted the mediator that helped us negotiate our new contract and hope they will be able to help us resolve this issue in a timely manner.

 

However, in the meantime, if you receive the payment, it may or may not be the full amount.

 

We are committed to ensuring the inflationary support payment is paid out the way both parties agreed it would be during our negotiations. We will continue to keep you updated on where things are with this. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

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TSSU STRIKE UPDATE: Tentative Agreement Reached

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Please read an important update from the CUPE BC Regional Office below:

We are pleased to announce that the TSSU and SFU reached a tentative agreement early this morning, and the picket lines are coming down.  Friday’s events will be cancelled.  Thank you all for your support.  For those Reps who reached out directly to your Locals to ask that they attend the picket lines on Friday, can you please reach out again to let them know that the picket lines have come down.

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CUPE Metro Education Bursary

CUPE Metro offers five scholarships of up to $1,000 annually to cover the cost of tuition or books to support career progression and professional development. 

Eligible candidates are in good standing with a local that is affiliated to Metro District Council, can be full time, part time, or auxiliary, and must be endorsed by an executive member of their local.

Interested candidates must submit:

  1. an endorsement from their local executive
  2. proof of enrolment and/or a course summary including cost
  3. an essay or creative submission.

The fall 2023 deadline to apply is November 30th. For more details, visit the application form at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScXOfb2934pcamniJLNfTcoipx4H7KbaFGj1hJDg8kDtQFoog/viewform

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CUPE Today for Tuesday, October 10, 2023

CUPE statement on violence in Palestine and Israel
CUPE grieves the loss of life brought by the recent escalation of violence in Israel and Palestine. We are horrified by the Hamas attack on Israel and the retribution by the State of Israel on the people of Palestine, and condemn all acts of violence against innocent civilians. We recognize that many Canadians are terrified for their loved ones and we offer heartfelt condolences to all affected families and communities.
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CUPE condemns Saskatchewan government attack on constitutional rights
CUPE condemns the Saskatchewan government’s attacks on constitutional rights to ram through anti-trans and anti-worker legislation. In August, Saskatchewan introduced legislation that would require education workers to inform parents when a student uses a different name or pronoun at school, putting queer and trans young people at risk of potential violence and isolation in their homes. Forcing education workers to out youth creates a hostile work environment for 2SLGBTQI+ staff and opens all workers up to potential discipline when they defy the policy, to protect vulnerable students.

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Community Living Guelph Wellington cuts will hurt communities
After a year of bargaining, and right as workers have begun building momentum towards a fair and necessary deal, Community Living Guelph Wellington, CLGW, has cried poverty and announced closures and layoffs that will hurt workers, people supported, and families.

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Human Rights Workshop – October 14, 2023

-Circulating on behalf of the Asian Canadian Labour Alliance (ACLA)-

Asian Canadian Labour Alliance (ACLA), in partnership with the BC Office of the Human Rights Commissioner (BCOHRC), is hosting a FREE workshop about human rights for racialized workers on Saturday October 14 from 10:00am to 1:30pm.

While ACLA recognized that racism is deeply rooted in all aspects of the settler colonial state of so-called Canada, we know that young, newcomer, international students, and/or temporary foreign workers may be particularly vulnerable due to their lack of understanding of their rights under the BC Human Rights Code, and the channels through which they can lodge complaints and seek legal support. We especially encourage such workers to attend this workshop.

Food will be provided for participants, free of charge.

For more details about the workshop, location, and learning objectives, please see the poster below and this registration link.

The workshop will have a high facilitator-to-participants ratio, in order to foster engagement and small-group discussions. Space is limited, so please register early!

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VDLC Anti-Racism Committee’s Second Annual Webinar on Addressing Workplace Racism

This year’s theme: “Looking at Workplace Racism Through a Legal Lens”

WHO: All workers who want to learn and share about racism and anti-racism at work.

WHAT: In this webinar, Andrea Wong (Federation of Post-Secondary Educators) explores how we can expand our understanding of workplace racism in the context of labour, human rights, and occupational health and safety law. Discussion will focus on how workers can utilize legal frameworks to make racism and its effects more visible.

WHEN: Sunday November 5, 2023 from 1:00pm to 2:30pm

WHERE: Online Zoom Meeting courtesy of VDLC. Register HERE

WHY: To continue our work with allies to build an anti-racist labour movement, strengthen our solidarity, fight workplace racism, and amplify strategies and actions already taken.

(Once you register, you will receive a confirmation email with the zoom link)

By JT bargaining-updates 0 Comments

District of North Vancouver workers ratify new contract

October 5, 2023

NORTH VANCOUVER – CUPE 389 members who work for the District of North Vancouver have ratified a new three-year collective agreement. The agreement is a significant step forward in addressing both affordability challenges workers face and recruitment and retention issues.

“We believe that a well-supported workforce translates into superior services for our residents, and creates stability for local businesses,” said CUPE 389 President Yvette Mercier. “We’re confident this new agreement helps ease the financial pressures workers are facing while also ensuring residents continue to receive the quality public services they count on.”

The three-year deal provides wage increases of 3 percent in 2022, 4.5 percent in 2023 and 4 percent in 2024. It also includes a one-time, 4.5 percent inflationary support payment applied on 2022 wages.

Other key improvements include full coverage of dental and extended health premiums and an increase to mental health paramedical coverage.

“CUPE 389 members are proud to provide services to residents, businesses, and visitors. We look forward to continuing to work with the District to cultivate a positive and progressive work environment, address recruitment and retention challenges, and elevate the quality of life for residents, businesses, and visitors alike,” adds Mercier.

CUPE Local 389 is a composite local that represents approximately 2,600 workers on the North Shore, including workers at the North Vancouver School District #44, District of North Vancouver, City of North Vancouver, District and City Libraries, North Vancouver Recreation Commission, Northlands Golf Course, Northshore Neighbourhood House, the Village of Lions Bay, and the North Vancouver Museum and Archives.

https://www.cupe.bc.ca/2023/10/05/district-of-north-vancouver-workers-ratify-new-contract/