COMOX—CUPE 556, municipal workers in Comox, celebrated this year’s Communities Day last Saturday, by sponsoring a free family swim at the Comox Valley Aquatic Centre.

Comox Town Council adopted a resolution last week to support June 23 as Communities Day.

NANAIMO—CUPE BC President Barry O’Neill addressed Nanaimo City Council Monday, June 11 to encourage councillors to support a “Blue Community Resolution”.

“This is a chance for Nanaimo to show leadership and pave the way for other communities,” said O’Neill. “This city could have a big influence in the rest of the province and country by becoming a Blue Community.”

POWELL RIVER— Bricks and mortar alone won’t make Powell River successful, that’s the message from CUPE 798. 

CUPE 798, the union representing municipal, library and regional district workers, met with Mayor and Council today to discuss the 2012-2013 budget.  The budget was recently announced and focuses solely on infrastructure improvements paid for by cuts to services. The union fears that Council is headed in the wrong direction.

POWELL RIVER—Dramatic cuts to municipal services will affect the quality of services residents receive in Powell River, warns CUPE Local 798. 

The City of Powell River recently announced their proposed 2012 budget which includes cuts that would reduce hours for transit, reduce bylaw enforcement services, cut parks and recreation services and increase water and sewer fees.

CUPE BC’s Successful Town Watch comes to Qualicum Beach

QUALICUM BEACH –The Town of Qualicum Beach, CUPE Local 401, CUPE BC and the local RCMP detachment are partnering to make the town the latest BC community to participate in the Town Watch program in which Town employees work with the RCMP to help make Qualicum Beach safer and more secure.

CUPE BC’s successful City Watch comes to Grand Forks

GRAND FORKS—Grand Forks is the latest BC community to join with CUPE in City Watch, a partnership between the local government, CUPE Local 4728, CUPE BC and the local RCMP detachment that will see Grand Forks employees work with the RCMP to help make the community safer and more secure.

RICHMOND—CUPE, Council of Canadians and the Richmond Food Security Society will host a free screening of the film “Water Makes Money”, April 10 at the Chinese Bunkhouse (Brittania Heritage Site).

SURREY —More than one hundred Early Childhood Educators (ECEs) in Surrey have voted in favour of joining CUPE 402.

CUPE 402 president, Laurie Larsen, welcomed the new members at the local’s most recent general membership meeting.

SOOKE— Sooke Mayor Wendal Milne informed the Labour Relations Board Wednesday, March 14, that a mediator will not be needed in Sooke.

The District is refusing to participate in contract mediation with CUPE 374, the union that represents municipal workers in Sooke. The union requested the assistance of a mediator after the employer indicated they were at an impasse in bargaining. 

CUPE 374 president Trevor Davies says that the union is frustrated with the District and that up to this point the District has not presented any formal bargaining proposals.

PRINCE GEORGE—Over 100 Prince George residents came out to support public services by attending the “Keep it Local, Keep it Public” event Wednesday March, 7 at the College of New Caledonia. 

CUPE 399 president Gary Campbell said this event was about educating the public on public private partnerships (P3s) and the real problems that come along with them.