RICHMOND—CUPE Regional’s first provincial bargaining strategies conference in three years kicks off this week (January 31-February 3), with about 260 delegates prepared to tackle the key issues facing all sectors at the bargaining table in 2012.

The conference, themed “Bridging our Sectors to Strengthen Free Collective Bargaining in B.C.,” takes place at the Vancouver Airport Sheraton Hotel in Richmond beginning on Tuesday night with an opening plenary.

Multi-union CSSBA, employers agency to commence talks during week of February 27

BURNABY— Community-based social service workers across British Columbia are returning to the bargaining table in 2012.

BURNABY—Representatives of CUPE’s Community Health Services and Support members are set to begin talks with the employer this week.

Delegates to a bargaining convention in October put wages and benefits at the top of the priority list.

BURNABY—Community Social Services workers deserve a fair wage increase that addresses the gap making us the lowest paid unionized public service workers in British Columbia. 

And that’s exactly what CUPE and other unions representing CSS workers will be seeking in the next round of bargaining.

Wage freezes have got to stop. CSS workers are falling further and further behind, and are now worse off financially than several years ago.

NANAIMO— CUPE municipal workers and the City of Nanaimo have ratified a new collective agreement.

750 members of CUPE 401 have approved a new deal that includes a two per cent wage increase in each of the three years, as well as significant improvements to extended health care coverage and improvements to the language.

CUPE 401 vice-president Laurence Amy says that the local “is pleased with the outcome from this round of bargaining.

BURNABY—CUPE has reached a tentative Provincial Framework Agreement with the BC Public Schools Employers’ Association (BCPSEA). The Framework Agreement was unanimously endorsed by the CUPE BC K-12 Provincial Bargaining Committee after two more full days at the bargaining table on December 13 and 14. The agreement was presented to the CUPE BC K-12 Presidents’ Council on December 15 and it was overwhelmingly endorsed by council members.  The Presidents’ Council is made up of presidents from 55 CUPE K-12 locals and is the body that set the priorities for the bargaining committee.

BURNABY—The Canadian Union of Public Employees, representing 26,000 school support staff in British Columbia, has reached a tentative Provincial Framework Agreement with the BC Public Schools Employers’ Association. The Framework Agreement was unanimously endorsed by the CUPE BC K-12 Provincial Bargaining Committee and will be recommended to the CUPE BC K-12 Presidents’ Council for endorsement.

VICTORIA—Eleven CUPE bargaining units have ratified new three-year collective agreements with their respective employers and the Greater Victoria Labour Relations Association (GVLRA).

CUPE 50, CUPE 333, CUPE 374, CUPE 410 and CUPE 1978 were all notified on December 14 that the GVLRA had voted in favour of ratifying the agreements.

BURNABY—In preparation for the next round of bargaining, CUPE has launched a short survey asking members who work in community social services in B.C. about bargaining issues.

The survey, which has been developed through CUPE’s CSS presidents, is based on a similar survey conducted in August 2009 in preparation for 2010 bargaining. CUPE is encouraging members to complete the survey.

“Our Collective Agreement expires on March 31, 2012 and CUPE is seeking a freely negotiated settlement that addresses the priorities of our members.