Kootenay area presidents Michelle Bennett, CUPE 748 (Kootenay Lake Schools) and Cherryl MacLeod, CUPE 1285 (Kootenay-Columbia Schools)

RICHMOND—More than 50 local presidents from school district locals throughout the province met in Richmond Friday to review bargaining survey results and begin to map out 2010 bargaining priorities and strategy. Guests at the CUPE B.C.

VICTORIA – Collective bargaining began today for 560 BC Assessment employees – members of CUPE 1767. Both sides have presented preliminary proposals.

The CUPE bargaining team met with representatives of the Crown Corporation in the first of 18 days of scheduled talks over the next three months.

VANCOUVER - A tentative agreement has been reached between the Community Bargaining Association (which includes the CUPE bargaining committee) and the Health Employers' Association of BC.

BURNABY—Talks initiated by the Community Social Services Employer’s Association aimed at reaching an early collective agreement have ended without a deal.

Union bargainers say that employers tabled what was in effect an ultimatum without seriously addressing any of the concerns brought forward by the unions through the Community Social Services Bargaining Association (CSSBA).

Employers offered no improvements to wages, sick leave, transportation allowance (mileage) and shift premiums.

BURNABY—Unions in the Community Social Services Bargaining Association (CSSBA) are concerned that an approach from employers for early talks is already stumbling, and the possibility of an early settlement may not materialize.

The CSSBA responded to an employer offer to explore options that could lead to an early settlement. In the community social services sector compensation has fallen behind that of comparable workers in health care, education and other public services and the sector is experiencing serious recruitment and retention problems.

VANCOUVER – CUPE and other health unions in the Community Bargaining Association (CBA) are at the table this week with the Health Employers’ Association of B.C.

VANCOUVER —Representatives of the BC Ambulance Service agree with ambulance paramedics on one thing – that the provincial model is the only option for a viable and sustainable ambulance service in B.C.

The shared perspective came out at the first day of contract talks held today in Vancouver for a new collective agreement between the BCAS and CUPE 873, Ambulance Paramedics of BC.

On several occasions the provincial Liberal government has alluded to looking into “alternate delivery options for paramedics.”

CUPE 873 served notice on Dec.

CRESTON – Talks are off to a shaky start for a first contract at the Creston & District Public Library. After meeting with the employer for the first time this week, CUPE National Representative Lee-Anne Halifax said the two sides appear to be “miles apart.”

Halifax said the talks for a first contract were held Monday and Tuesday. The Library Association has hired the same “labour consultant” who oversaw the three-month lockout of library workers in Grand Forks.

ABBOTSFORD — Members of CUPE 1698 ratified a three-year collective agreement with the Fraser Valley Regional Library on Sunday, December 6.

The contract includes 3 per cent in each of three contract years, with the first increase retroactive to January 1, 2009. Significant improvements include an increase in shift premium for people working after 5PM, introduction of a First Aid premium, and increased flexibility around vacation scheduling.