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.

VANCOUVER—Ambulance paramedics were on hand Saturday to 'greet' BC Liberals meeting to discuss British Columbia communities.

BURNABY—The ambulance paramedics, CUPE 873, have been waiting for more than four years for the provincial government to launch a comprehensive inquiry into the sorry state of ambulance service in BC.

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CASTLEGAR – A lively Castlegar crowd of more than 75 citizens was on hand Tuesday night for a town hall meeting on the state of the area’s ambulance services.

People came from outlying communities including Fruitvale, Genelle, Nelson and as far away as Grand Forks to discuss ambulance response times and meet their local paramedics. Much of the evening was spent on tactics to let the provincial government know that every community in B.C.

BURNABY—Ambulance wait times in British Columbia point to the critical condition of ambulance services in B.C. according to CUPE 873.  The ambulance paramedics say a lack of attention has seen the service deteriorate over the past decade.  The list below of ambulance 911 call wait times is sad proof of this. The figures come from the employer – the BC Ambulance Service.   

CUPE BC president Barry O’Neill says the figures are a disgrace when in a medical emergency every second counts.

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.

VICTORIA—The fight for public sewage treatment in the Capital Regional District has entered the final phase. After three years of work to develop a new plan, the CRD has released a paper clearly outlining sewage treatment options.

BURNABY —A financial crisis currently plagues BC public schools. CUPE National research representative John Malcolmson offers a new look at how and where the crisis is happening.

The signs of the public education funding crisis are everywhere. Parents are increasingly roiled with the ongoing assault on what public schools are able to offer their children. School trustees are starting to move to a more assertive political stance after years of concern over the program cuts they find themselves forced to make.

VANCOUVER– CUPE 391 invites you to a sneak preview of their comedy feature film, “Mistress Superior”. Check out the film this Sunday, January 10 at Pacific Cinematheque at 1131 Howe Street (between Helmcken and Davie Street) at 12:30PM and 2:30PM.

The Local would like to invite all CUPE members to this free screening.

POWELL RIVER – More than 125 people enjoyed a free public skate Saturday hosted by CUPE. The event was sponsored by CUPE Locals 798, 476 and 873 (representing Powell River municipal, regional, library, school board workers and ambulance paramedics). Skaters had a chance to visit with Santa, have a hot chocolate and talk with local paramedics, CUPE representatives and a teachers’ association rep.