VANCOUVER—CUPE 1004 members who work for the Portland Hotel Society received news that new management will protect services with both relief and concern today.
“CUPE members give a lot of themselves professionally and personally, and feel a deep loyalty and commitment to the PHS and to the work we do. Knowing that the services for our residents and patients will stay in place is important to us. But we feel a huge loss and there is a lot of concern about what the future holds,” said Andrew Ledger, CUPE 1004 representative.
Ledger said that the PHS model is innovative and has been extremely successful. “The staff at PHS are very proud of what we have accomplished and hope that we can continue doing the lifesaving work we have been able to do.”
CUPE National Representative Bill Pegler said that CUPE has been in contact with the provincial government, BC Housing and Vancouver Coastal Health and expressed the concerns of staff, not just for their jobs but for the services and the health of the community.
“We will be seeking to work with the new management to assist in a smooth transition and to ensure that the interests of staff are also understood and protected,” said Pegler.
CUPE 1004 is a multi-sector composite union local that includes workers at the Portland Hotel Society, the City of Vancouver, the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation, the PNE, and a variety of other civic and non-profit organizations.
cope491