VANCOUVER—Contract talks have broken down between the PNE and CUPE Local 1004 workers.  The close to 4,000 workers say they will not disrupt the Fair, which runs until Sept. 5.

This is the first time in decades that a collective agreement has not been reached before the start of the annual Pacific National Exhibition Fair. CUPE 1004 Business Agent Steve Varty says workers are frustrated and disappointed that a fair deal has not been settled.

“We have been without a contract since last January 1,” says Varty.

Strike averted as deal improves job security and fair work practices

VANCOUVER—A tentative agreement has been reached for British Columbia’s 15,000 community-based social service workers, thereby averting a strike. Talks went into the weekend to avert looming job action. 

Key bargaining demands were met, as the tentative agreement improves job security and fair work practices for workers, such as bumping, job selection language and bullying.

MONTREAL—Air Transat flight attendants have ratified a new collective agreement crediting a united front during negotiations. CUPE Air Transat Component members voted 65 per cent in favour of a five-year agreement retroactive to November 1, 2010.

The flight attendants refused to accept concessions at the table and fought for and won their major bargaining goals, including substantial retirement plan improvements and wage increases (lump sum and recurring increases) totaling 12 per cent over five years.

VANCOUVER—Last ditch community social services bargaining talks resumed August 9, and lasted through the week. Talks are set to continue on Monday.

Your bargaining committee has been clear that any agreement must focus on your
key demands – namely job security, fair work practices, and dealing with the
continuing bleeding of jobs and decimation of services in the sector.

On May 30, you gave your bargaining committee an 82-per-cent strike mandate,
which expires on August 30. Any agreement must be reached before that date.

CULTUS LAKE – Cultus Lake Park Board workers have voted 90 per cent in favour of strike action. The CUPE 458 members have been in contract negotiations since May 10.

The 13 workers in the bargaining unit look after public buildings, maintain roads and grounds as well as the water and sewage system in Cultus Lake Park.  They also maintain a campground with more than 600 campsites.

cope491

BURNABY—B.C.’s community social services workers have moved closer to job action this week, with essential service levels now complete and an agreement reached on Tuesday regarding the outstanding issue of regional strike headquarters.

BURNABY—As the Simon Fraser Student Society (SFSS) lockout of CUPE Local 3338 staff entered its second week, CUPE BC president Barry O’Neill and secretary-treasurer Mark Hancock met with members on the picket line Tuesday to offer support and hear their important stories.

CUPE BC President Barry O'Neill listens to the SFU Women's Centre Coordinator, Nadine Chambers, discuss the impact of the SFSS lockout.“The SFSS staff are a passionate group of professionals who care about SFU students and the entire univer

Completion date bumped to July 30

BURNABY —The BC Labour Relations Board (LRB) has extended the July 22 deadline for determining all essential services levels for Community Social Service workers in B.C. The new deadline is July 30.

Community Social Services workers are prevented from taking strike action until all essential service levels have been set at every worksite across the province.

BURNABY—CUPE local 3338 at Simon Fraser University has been in negotiations for two years to arrive at a fair settlement for the 15 full-time and 5 term/student CUPE staff that support SFU students within the Simon Fraser Student Society.

In what can only be interpreted as an ideological move against the union, the Simon Fraser Student Society Board of Directors, led by new president Jeff McCann, broke off mediation and then served their staff with a 72 hour lockout notice.

Essential service levels to be set by July 22

BURNABY—We are making steady progress in moving towards job action following the May 30 strike vote. 

Community Social Service workers are prevented from taking strike action until essential service levels have been set at every worksite across the province. For several months, your unions have been working to negotiate those essential service levels, and employers have stalled and delayed.