WHITE ROCK – White Rock city workers will begin withdrawing services on Monday, May 12 at all city worksites.

Following rotating job action over the past few weeks and an overtime ban, the union is increasing pressure on the employer to get back to the table ready to address key bargaining issues.

“The union has shown we are prepared to negotiate and find constructive solutions, but the City will not negotiate,” said CUPE 402-01 President Mike Guraliuk. “We don’t take this action lightly, but we feel this is our only option at this point.”

VANCOUVER - CUPE 873 ambulance paramedics voted 96 per cent in favor of strike action along with the Hospital Employees’ Union and nine other unions representing 47,000 health care workers in British Columbia.  Negotiations for a new collective agreement broke off in March and resumed yesterday with mediator Vince Ready.

The last contract expired on March 31.  At issue are wages, employment security, benefits protection, improvements to health and safety and language changes around ambulance service.

WHITE ROCK – Following last week’s one-day picket of City Hall and an ongoing overtime ban, White Rock workers in the public works department will be off the job on Thursday, May 8.

The shutdown will affect residential, multifamily and commercial garbage and recycling collection, maintenance of the sewer system, street cleaning, and parks and road maintenance.

TRAIL-The Canadian Union of Public Employees invites the community to a free swim at the Trail Aquatic and Leisure Centre on May 11 from 12 pm to 3 pm.

“CUPE members who work to make the West Kootenays a wonderful place to live wanted to say thanks to our communities as part of Trail’s 2014 Silver City Days,” said Andrew Chernoff, a representative of CUPE 2087.

NARAMATA – Workers at the United Church’s Naramata Centre have served 72-hour strike notice to their employer following the breakdown of bargaining.

CUPE National Representative Tom O’Leary said that as the United Church centre finally starts to look at how to address long-term financial challenges, employees have been treated as the problem, rather than as part of the solution.

Left to right: Rob Limongelli, Jeannie Kilby, Mark Hancock, Mike Guraliuk, Lynn Reimer, Richard Beaverstock

WHITE ROCK–White Rock city workers and supporters rallied in front of City Hall to send a strong message to the Mayor and Council on the first-day of job action for CUPE 402-01.

CUPE 402-01 President Mike Guraliuk was joined by CUPE 402 President Jeannie Kilby and CUPE BC President Mark Hancock.

BURNABY—CUPE BC’s executive board voted on Thursday evening to endorse Ken Georgetti for a sixth term as president of the Canadian Labour Congress, along with Georgetti’s running mates on the “Work Together, Win Together” team.

WHITE ROCK - For the first time in its history with the City of White Rock, CUPE 402-01 is taking job action. After ten months of bargaining, the Employer still refuses to address key issues for its workers: the need for clear hours of work for all employees, fair treatment for casual and part-time employees, and protection for members who become seriously ill.

Join CUPE BC President Mark Hancock and representatives from CUPE 402 and 402-01 at a solidarity rally on the first day of job action.

VANCOUVER – CUPE Local 7000 SkyTrain workers have ratified a new collective agreement with the BC Rapid Transit Company.  The union membership voted 72% in favor of accepting the deal.

A Tentative agreement was reached last month during non-binding mediation at the BC Labour Relations Board.  The two sides were at the bargaining table for eight months before talks stalled in late February.

VANCOUVER – Staff cuts to frontline community health centres in Vancouver are irresponsible and potentially dangerous, says CUPE BC President Mark Hancock. "When you remove services, medical staff and frontline community health workers, you are going to impact patient care.”