CUPE BC Secretary-Treasurer Paul Faoro with CUPE Local 1267 President Donna-Lee Lakes and member Vic Barron, Coordinator, Mission Crime Prevention Services

MISSION – The District of Mission is the latest partner community in CUPE BC’s City Watch program, which brings CUPE workers together with management and local
police to help make communities safer and more secure.

CUPE Local 3479, North Island College support staff, held its first ever Day of Mourning ceremonies at four campuses, with close to 100 people participating.

On April 28, CUPE 3479, North Island College support staff, held Day of Mourning Ceremonies at its four campuses located in Courtenay, Campbell River, Port Alberni and Port Hardy. Although this is the first year the Local organized and led Day of Mourning events, close to 100 people participated.

WHITE ROCK - After ten months of bargaining, for the first time in its history with the City of White Rock, CUPE 402-01 has served 72-hour strike notice and is gearing up for job action.

CUPE 402-01 President Mike Guraliuk said that the union plans limited job action on Friday, May 2, with CUPE workers at White Rock City Hall off the job. This will include services such as Permits and Licensing, Pay Parking, Bylaw Enforcement and Financial Services.

Mark Hancock, CUPE BC President and Jeannie Kilby, CUPE 402 President

SURREY - CUPE BC President Mark Hancock joined Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts and CUPE 402 President Jeannie Kilby to mark the 30th Annual Day of Mourning for workers injured or killed on the job.

Speaking at the new Surrey City Hall, Hancock brought greetings from the 85,000 CUPE members in BC and from the 627,000 CUPE members across the country.

CUPE BC President Mark Hancock and Secretary-Treasurer Paul Faoro with CUPE members who also serve as trustees – Dave Reid from Boundary School District 51 in Grand Forks, and Charlene Dobie and Terry Allen from Surrey School District 36.

 BURNABY – CUPE BC President Mark Hancock is unable to attend the Celebration of Life for longtime CUPE activist Bev Lapointe, who recently passed.  Gerry Schmon, president of CUPE's Kootenay District Council will read the letter at the ceremony. (Sister Lapointe’s official obituary follows.)

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

Presidents’ Council members accomplished a great deal over two day meetings that included K-12 Local Presidents and CUPE staff.

VANCOUVER – The CUPE K-12 Presidents’ Council met in Vancouver on April 14 and 15 with a full agenda. Over the course of two days members elected a new executive, ratified bargaining proposals, approved proposed bylaw amendments, and elected representatives to SSEAC.

BURNABY – CUPE education support members are concerned that some school districts are cancelling or moving recess breaks, despite an essential services order requiring excluded staff (such as managers and administrators) to cover supervisory duties.

“School districts must respect collective agreements and the essential services order,” said CUPE BC President Mark Hancock.

The Labour Relations Board ruled that managers and excluded staff work “to the best extent possible to replace teachers for these activities.”

BURNABY – The British Columbia Teachers’ Federation has issued 72-hour strike notice in response to disappointing progress in their negotiations, and job action can begin tomorrow Wednesday, April 23.

“CUPE members fully support teachers in their attempts to reach a fair and reasonable settlement,” said CUPE BC President Mark Hancock. “Our members will continue to perform their regular work and will not take on any duties normally performed by teachers.”

This first stage of job action will impact the administration, not students.

WHITE ROCK – CUPE has written directly to City of White Rock residents and businesses in anticipation of possible job action.

CUPE 402-01 President Mike Guraliuk said that with essential service levels being finalized last week, the union wants to ensure that their community hears directly from them about why they are considering job action at this time.