February 14, 2012

Community Health negotiations slowed by employers’ lack of preparation

BURNABY—Unions in the Community Bargaining Association (CBA) are disappointed by the pace of talks so far with the Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC) after a second week of negotiations in Vancouver.

The CBA has tabled housekeeping proposals, language on bullying and harassment, live-in and overnight shifts as well as proposals to renew many of the existing Memorandum of Agreements without changes. However, HEABC has yet to table any proposals or to respond to the majority of what the CBA has presented.

February 14, 2012

Community Health negotiations slowed by employers’ lack of preparation

BURNABY—Unions in the Community Bargaining Association (CBA) are disappointed by the pace of talks so far with the Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC) after a second week of negotiations in Vancouver.

The CBA has tabled housekeeping proposals, language on bullying and harassment, live-in and overnight shifts as well as proposals to renew many of the existing Memorandum of Agreements without changes. However, HEABC has yet to table any proposals or to respond to the majority of what the CBA has presented.

February 6, 2012

Delegates call for a new ‘workers mandate’

PROUD HISTORY: CUPE BC secretary-treasurer Mark Hancock reminded delegates of the union's ability to make a difference with collective action.

RICHMOND—CUPE’s B.C. regional strategic bargaining conference wrapped up on February 3 with delegates determined to work more closely across CUPE sectors and in a united, common front across the public sector as contract negotiations progress in 2012.

February 3, 2012

Sectors meet to shape bargaining priorities

RICHMOND—CUPE’s B.C. regional bargaining strategies conference continued on Thursday with delegates separating into provincial and locally-funded sectors—and then into individual sectors—to discuss bargaining priorities for 2012.

Presentations throughout the day focused on helping delegates understand the current bargaining climate in B.C., including provincial and federal political factors.

February 2, 2012

Bargaining issues workshops tackle barriers, explore solutions

 RICHMOND—For Day One of CUPE’s regional bargaining strategies conference, delegates attended four of a possible nine workshops on various issues CUPE locals are facing at the bargaining table this year:

February 1, 2012

Collective action makes all the difference: panel discussion

LIVELY DISCUSSION—From left, CUPE Research rep and panel host Blair Redlin introduces Ronald Boisrond, Bonnie Pearson, Robin Jones, and David Vipond.

RICHMOND—CUPE’s B.C. regional strategic bargaining conference got down to business Tuesday night with a lively panel discussion on approaches to public sector bargaining that featured four labour activists representing a range of public sector union experience.

February 1, 2012

United front more important than ever: Paul Moist

RICHMOND—Thanks to the growing income gap between the richest and poorest citizens, and relentless labour-bashing by the federal Conservative and BC Liberal governments, CUPE members have more cause than ever to unite across sectors and work with other unions to restore free collective bargaining, CUPE National president Paul Moist told delegates in his keynote address on Tuesday night.  

Moist began his remarks by commenting on BC Liberal Finance Minister Kevin Falcon’s response to a BC Statistics

February 1, 2012

High public esteem helps us at the table: Barry O’Neill

RICHMOND—CUPE has come a long way in its embrace of strategic, coordinated bargaining across sectors and unions, CUPE BC president Barry O’Neill told delegates, in his welcoming remarks on Tuesday night.

January 31, 2012

Workers in Community Health begin tabling bargaining proposals

CUPE Health Care Workers began bargaining last week, joined by over 13,000 workers employed in the Community Health sector. Talks commenced between the multi-union Community Bargaining Association (CBA) and the Health Employers’ Association of B.C. (HEABC) on January 23 with the exchange of opening remarks and the initial tabling of proposals.  

January 31, 2012

Workers in Community Health begin tabling bargaining proposals

CUPE Health Care Workers began bargaining last week, joined by over 13,000 workers employed in the Community Health sector. Talks commenced between the multi-union Community Bargaining Association (CBA) and the Health Employers’ Association of B.C. (HEABC) on January 23 with the exchange of opening remarks and the initial tabling of proposals.