North Vancouver Public Employees Society History
In 1963, CUPE Local 389 members endorsed the creation of the North Vancouver Civic Employees Society (as it was known back then).
During that time, a group of North Vancouver community & trade union activists met to discuss the need for programs & services for seniors & retired Local 389 members on the North Shore.
One of the very strong community activists was Dorothy Lynas, a SD#44 Trustee. (There is an elementary school named in her honour). Tom Silva, President of CUPE Local 389, was also one of those activists as was CUPE Local 389 members Tom Kelly, Jack Beattie, and Gerry Brewer.
The Society was originally created to deliver services of a more benevolent and social nature, other than what the Union could provide and to promote unity and good will amongst the membership and people of the community in which the Society carries on its operations, namely the City and District of North Vancouver.
In 1968, that group of activists from the Society, along with seniors in the community, met with the City of North Vancouver Mayor Carrie Cates, to discuss developing the vacant property on East 22nd Street to create a multi-service centre for seniors on the North Shore. With the support of the City and District of North Vancouver, the Federal & Provincial governments, the North Shore Credit Union, and some North Vancouver businesses, they able to purchase the property.
The ground-breaking for Silver Harbour Centre took place in 1968. Silver Harbour opened its doors in September 1973. It was a great joint achievement and has been an amazing asset for folks in North Van, 55 years & over, many who are members of the Society as well as members of CUPE Local 389.
Why does the 5/12th Employers EI Premium Rebates Reduction go to the Society?
The North Vancouver School District #44 and CUPE Local 389 had historically negotiated a “me-too” agreement for wages & benefits. At that time, they did not bargain provincially. That meant whatever wages and benefits were negotiated with the North Vancouver municipalities would be the wages & benefits for CUPE Local 389 members employed by the North Vancouver School District #44.
During the bargaining sessions of 1980/81, Locals became aware of The Employer’s EI Premium Rebates reductions and that 5/12th of that Reduction was for the benefit of employees.
Each calendar year, the rates for the Employers’ Premium Rebates reduction are calculated by the Canada Employment Insurance Commission’s Senior Actuary. That rate determines the amount of the Employers’ Premium Rebates reduction will be for the next calendar year.
Around 1984/85, CUPE Local 389 started negotiations over the 5/12th portion of the EI Premium Rebates Reduction with the Employers.
After a couple of years of discussions with the members in each bargaining unit, which included Shop Stewards & Executive members meeting with members at their workplaces, in the lunch rooms/coffee rooms at break times, it was decided that each bargaining unit would vote on their employer’s 5/12th portion going to the Society’s purposes, including but not limited to providing some relief to CUPE Local 389 for medical premiums and medical appliances/equipment for members.
Each Employer received a copy of the Society’s Constitution and Bylaws. Finally, an amenable proposal was reached with each employer. Each bargaining unit held a meeting to ratify that proposal. CUPE Local 389 provided each employer with the ratification vote results from each unit.
The employers then had discussions with Service Canada for final approval. Finally, all parties reached an agreement. The North Vancouver School District #44 was the first to reach an agreement. It took the other Employers longer.
The agreement: the Employers would remit the 5/12th portion of their EI Premium Rebates reduction to CUPE Local 389 who would then in turn, remit those funds to the North Vancouver Civic Employees Society.
Why? Because Service Canada accepted CUPE Local 389’s Membership committing the 5/12th would go to the Society.
Any changes to that agreement would require a decision from CUPE Local 389 members in each bargaining unit, and voted upon by each bargaining unit separately to renegotiate the use of each of the Employers’ 5/12th Premium Rebates reduction. This would also mean notifying the employers, as they are part of the agreement.
In 1995, the North Vancouver Civic Employees Society changed its name to the North Vancouver Public Employees Society as its membership now included employees from several different Public Sectors and not just employees from Municipal Services.
Society Information:
The Society holds its Annual General Meeting once a year in the fall. The local’s office staff maintains our financial transactions and records. An accountant reviews our financial books yearly prior to the AGM. During the AGM, members receive the Year End Financial Report, Year to Date Financial Statement and Society’s Budget as well as the President’s Report. Elections are held yearly at the AGM for the Board of Directors.
2024 Board of Directors
President – Carol Nordby
1st Vice President – Joyce Griffiths
2nd Vice President – Vacant
Secretary Treasurer – Amir Bagheri
Recording Secretary – Vacant
2-Members at Large: Dalton Taylor and Michael Gonzales
Any questions or concerns – Please contact the Union Office.
ADDENDUM
CUPE 389 rents the strata offices at 1000 Roosevelt Crescent from the North Vancouver Public Employees Society.
