BURNABY—A tentative agreement covering more than 48,000 hospital and long-term care workers has been reached between the multi-union Facilities Bargaining Association and B.C.’s health employers.

The two-year agreement protects wages and extended health benefits, expands options for workers affected by restructuring and privatization, and provides for compensation increases for targeted job categories.

The agreement was reached against the backdrop of a government freeze on public sector compensation and just weeks before the tabling of a post-Olympic budget that is expected

COMOX—The president of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, B.C. division, will provide the keynote address at Monday’s Professional Development Day event, to be held at Highland Senior Secondary School in Comox.

Each year, CUPE Local 439 organizes a themed event for Professional Development Day in the Comox Valley school district.

BURNABY—Activists across the province are gearing up to protect public services and working with communities to stop privatization of health care, water and wastewater and other areas. The good news is that there are many reasons to say NO to privatization and there is a growing body of solid research demonstrating that public-private partnerships (P3s) don’t work.

For a quick read – take a look at Ten reasons to say no to privatization.

BURNABY-Women in B.C. and across Canada have a lot of reasons to take to the streets on International Women’s Day, March 8. And CUPE members will be participating in IWD events across the province. Check the CUPE BC events page for up-to-date information.

While the Campbell government continues to ignore domestic violence, as evidenced in B.C.

BURNABY—The Canadian Union of Public Employees is holding a public protest tomorrow (Friday) at BC Liberal MLA Harry Bloy’s office to call the provincial government to account for its attack on collective bargaining rights through Bill 21.

WHAT: Protest of BC Liberal labour policy, Bill 21 and the attack on free collective bargaining rights

WHEN: Friday, January 29, at 12 noon

WHERE: Burnaby-Lougheed MLA Harry Bloy’s Office, #220-3355 North Road, Burnaby (at Como Lake)

CONTACT: Susan Zander, CUPE Community Organizer: 604.838.5538

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BURNABY—With the sound system blaring songs like “Shout It Out Loud” and “We’re Not Going to Take It,” more than 250 activists rallying outside Burnaby City Hall today shouted a loud and clear message to the BC Liberal government: working people in B.C.

NEW WESTMINISTER – The New Westminster Board of Education has voted unanimously to end the use of bottled water in school facilities and promote public water through educational material.

The motion, brought forward by trustee Lori Watt, directs staff to stop providing bottled water at events hosted by School District 40, phase out contracts for bottled water companies, and report on the status of water fountains in school buildings.

Marcel Marsolais, CUPE 409 presidentThe school district joins Metr

CUPE BC to host provincial premiere of “Tapped”, panel discussion

VANCOUVER—“Communities in Resistance” is the inspirational theme of CoDevelopment Canada (CoDev)’s ninth annual World Community Film Festival, being held January 29-31 at Langara College. On Saturday afternoon, CUPE BC, a major sponsor of the festival, will host the B.C.

BURNABY—Canadian Labour Congress president Ken Georgetti will be among the guest speakers tomorrow (Wednesday) at a public rally focusing on the BC Liberal government’s attack on collective bargaining rights through Bill 21.

The rally, to be held outside Burnaby City Hall at 12 noon, will be hosted by BC Federation of Labour secretary-treasurer Angela Schira.

VANCOUVER — CUPE 15 members joined their CUPE health sector counterparts in turning down the tentative agreement with a resounding no vote on Friday.

CUPE 15 president Paul Faoro says that members were bitterly disappointed and upset with some of the trade-offs and voted 96.5% against ratifying the agreement.

Faoro says that members were particularly unhappy with the proposals on Long Term Disability that provide a different level of coverage for new hires and reduce Long Term Disability Coverage to 19 months from 24 months.

“Even existing employees were not in favou