HEIGHTENING AWARENESS—CUPE 23 members Bogdan Demidas (l) and Alistair Maduray say that anti-oppression training can make a big difference in culturally diverse workplaces.

BURNABY—A new version of the “Creating Social Justice” course provided by CUPE’s Equality department is receiving accolades from the local members it targets.

BURNABY—If Premier Christy Clark is serious about wanting to have B.C. public schools open any time soon, she needs to start demonstrating the leadership qualities she claimed during last year’s provincial election, CUPE BC President Mark Hancock said today.

CUPE BC President Mark Hancock has no doubt as to who should take the blame for the BC Teachers’ Federation’s prolonged contract dispute with the BC Liberal government.

“Make no mistake.  This crisis in education is the direct result of Christy Clark’s 12-year crusade against teachers,” Hancock told a large crowd at a BCTF rally on September 2. “As parents, we will stand with teachers for our kids’ education and their future.  And as trade unionists, we will stand with teachers and support them in their fight for a fair contract.”

NARAMATA – The BC Labour Relations Board has dismissed the latest complaints filed by the United Church’s Naramata Centre against its striking employees.  In its ruling released on Friday, the LRB dismissed claims by Centre management that its unionized staff is on an illegal strike or that the Canadian Union of Public Employees members had bargained in bad faith. 

BURNABY—The 2014 Labour Day picnic sponsored by the BC Federation of Labour drew a big crowd of trade unionists and their families along with many other community members to Burnaby’s Swangard Stadium Monday.

Those who arrived early were treated to CUPE’s own Tanya Paterson and Stevo Knauff, who performed O Canada and Solidarity Forever. Burnaby band Momentary Lapz, featuring CUPE Local 23 member Dan Kutin warmed the crowd up for headliners Trooper, sponsored by CUPE BC and the United Steelworkers District 3.

CAMPBELL RIVER – Contract talks have broken off between Campbell River and its CUPE city workers.  The mediated talks stalled this week over wages.  

CUPE 873 welcomes new members who recently voted to join CUPE.

SURREY – CUPE 873 executive members along with CUPE BC Secretary Treasurer Paul Faoro and Regional Director Robin Jones met with workers from SN Transport who recently voted to become members of CUPE, to welcome them and answer their questions.

NARAMATA - CUPE is “extremely troubled” by reports of a manager’s aggressive and threatening behaviour on the picket line outside the United Church’s Naramata Centre. A union tent used by striking staff was damaged during an incident Monday night.

CUPE BC Secretary-Treasurer Paul Faoro said RCMP have been notified and are reportedly investigating the incident involving a Naramata Centre manager.  “According to witnesses, verbal and physical threats were made against striking CUPE members and this is totally unacceptable,” said Faoro.

CASTLEGAR – Castlegar city workers have instituted a ban on overtime work in an effort to restart stalled contract talks.  CUPE Local 2262 served 72-hour strike notice with the BC Labour Board last Friday. 

The job action follows a membership meeting of the local on Monday night.  The 34 CUPE 2262 members have been without a contract since February 2013. This is the first time in 60 years that the union has been forced to a strike in its contract negotiations with the City of Castlegar.

CASTLEGAR – CUPE Local 2262 city workers have filed 72-hour strike notice with the BC Labour Board. The 34 workers have been without a contract since February 2013. This marks the first time in 60 years that the union has been forced to a strike in its contract negotiations with the City of Castlegar.

The union will be in legal strike position on Monday. A closed union meeting is scheduled for Monday night to discuss next steps. Strike action can include everything from a ban on overtime work to a full-fledged city-wide walkout.