VANCOUVER— CUPE BC was very pleased to once again provide support to the 2015 B.C. Library Association Conference. This year’s conference theme was Creative Communities, focusing on the power of creativity in both the library and the world around us. The conference certainly lived up to its theme, from opening keynote Vancouver musician and performer Veda Hille, to the closing by Wade Compton, local poet and writer, with many engaging and informative sessions in between.

BURNABY - CUPE presidents from municipal and library locals across Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley met yesterday to discuss upcoming bargaining. With most agreements expiring at the end of 2015, bargaining preparations are underway across the region. Locals shared strategy, identified key issues and discussed next steps. 

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POWELL RIVER – CUPE 798 members met last night to approve a new agreement, avoiding a labour dispute and service disruption for the community.

“We have had a very tough round of bargaining and we are relieved that we have certainty and stability for the future. Members were very clear that the City’s aggressive concessions package was a deal breaker and we successfully pushed back on that package,” said Danielle Craigen, CUPE 798 president.

CUPE BC was once again a Gold Sponsor of the President’s Reception at the BC Library Association 2015 conference. BCLA President Heather Buzzell pictured here with CUPE BC President Mark Hancock and General Vice-President Karen Ranalletta.

QUALICUM – CUPE 3570 President Lisa Paine is calling on School District #69 (Qualicum) to review budget cuts and the layoff of 16 Education Assistants (EAs).

“What will the effect be for students next September?” asks Paine.

Paine is concerned that EAs are required to take on more and more students. On any given day, an EA in a high school could be working with 10 to 12 students.  When they are not replaced, the already-heavy workload of other EAs is increased and supports for students are compromised.

PRINCE GEORGE – CUPE Local 3799 ratified a collective agreement with the University of Northern British Columbia today.

“I want to commend UNBC for working collaboratively and respectfully with CUPE Local 3799,” said CUPE 3799 president Caroline Sewell. “This agreement was reached in large part because of a good working relationship between our local and UNBC.”

NANAIMO –CUPE 606 President Rob Zver today called on the School District 68 (Nanaimo-Ladysmith) Board to amend its budget and properly fund education support services. Despite having a surplus of $1.7 million for 2015, the Board recently passed a budget that calls for large cuts to the facilities department including layoffs for caretakers, carpenters, electricians, maintenance and grounds workers.

VANCOUVER-Community members including CUPE activists were treated to a unique perspective on the struggles of sexual minorities at this morning’s International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia breakfast.

BURNABY—CUPE represents members who work in libraries across all sectors in B.C. In recognition of the increasing number of issues coming forward, the CUPE BC Library Committee has launched a survey to look at changing health and safety conditions for CUPE members in library workplaces across B.C.

The survey will give CUPE important information about what the health and safety issues are for CUPE’s library workers. Once the results are compiled, this will be a useful tool in advocating for improvements.

VANCOUVER—The Week of Action on Childcare has raised awareness about the need for fully-funded early care and learning programs in B.C. and across Canada.

Advocates have been quoted in media reports this week saying that a provincially-sponsored program would allow more parents to work and contribute to the economy, while the Rethink Child Care campaign has produced a calculator that estimates how much parents would save if they had access to $15-a-day childcare funding.