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Arbitration disappoints flight attendants

An arbitration decision on layoffs of hundreds of Air Canada employees will leave most flight attendants with “virtually nothing.”

The majority of the attendants get virtually nothing to help them cope with the life changes they now have to deal with,” said Lesley Swann, President of the Air Canada Component of CUPE.

The arbitration requires Air Canada to provide:

• minimal relocation support
• some commuting assistance
• a job sharing option for some

But arbitrator Brian Keller did not order the company to pay severance to those who choose to leave their jobs.

The arbitration also ignores the base closure issue.  CUPE continues its lobby campaign to keep the Winnipeg and Halifax bases open.


Walk for justice reaches Parliament

A group of walkers, mostly from British Columbia, stood on Parliament Hill September 18 and called for justice for more than 3,000 missing and murdered Aboriginal women.

More than 300 people were on hand to welcome the walkers to Ottawa. 

Among the supporters were two dozen CUPE members from the National Aboriginal Council, the Ontario Aboriginal Council and the National Rainbow Committee.

Roger Procyk from Manitoba is a regional Senator of CUPE’s National Aboriginal Council and a close friend to one of the murdered victims.  He wants to see action now.

We have to stop these tragedies from occurring.  We need to gather in unity to get justice, equality and closure.”


US legal challenge to test medicare’s NAFTA ‘protection’

An Arizona entrepreneur wants $4 million in costs and $150 million in lost profits after his failed attempt to get in on the action in BC’s health care system.

Melvin J. Howard claims he tried to take advantage of the province’s openness to private investment in health care but found too many road blocks at the municipal level.

He claims this amounts to an unfair trade practice under NAFTA.

For everyone who thought health care was safe from NAFTA, this is a reality check,” says Moist.  “This election, we need a government that is willing to protect our public health system, not bury its head in the sand while our health care system is undermined by increased privatization.”


CUPE supports Windsor faculty association

After months of discussions, talks broke down and faculty at the University of Windsor are now on strike.

In the hope of helping WUFA get a fair deal, Paul Moist offered CUPE’s support to WUFA’s bargaining team.  “We offered them our support in their last effort to obtain a deal and we had a very positive relation with the committee”, said Moist.

Hundreds of CUPE members have sent emails to the university’s president.  Add yours at www.cupe.ca/action/cupe-supports-wufa


CUPE announces major donation to CoDevelopment Canada

Paul Moist presented a $100,000 cheque from CUPE’s Global Justice fund to CoDevelopment Canada at its general meeting in Vancouver this week.

Moist was a guest speaker at the conference.

CUPE is pleased to be able to provide some support to help CoDev achieve, in other parts of the world, objectives very much related to the quality public services CUPE members are delivering right here in Canada.”


CUPE welcomes NDP commitment to child care

The New Democratic Party announced its child care platform this week:  $1.45 billion to create 150,000 child care spaces with the longer term goal of a space for every child needing one.

Compare and contrast with Stephen Harper’s Conservatives’ taxable $100 per month which has mired Canada at the bottom of the heap of all OECD countries when it comes to investing in early learning and child care.


CUPE opens two new area offices in BC

CUPE opened new area office buildings in Cranbrook and Courtenay BC this week.

The buildings were designed with the environment in mind, using local materials and energy efficient appliances, fixtures and heating and cooling systems.


CUPE 1281 fights firings at CKLN-FM

Management at CKLN-FM, Ryerson University’s student supported campus/community radio station has fired two CUPE 1281 members.

The small group of paid staff at the mostly volunteer station voted to join CUPE 1281 almost a year ago.

Well into the negotiation process, management argued that news director Kristen Schwartz and music director Tien Providence should not be in the bargaining unit.  But instead of taking the issue to the labour board, the radio station just fired them.

More than 500 CUPE members have sent protest messages to CKLN management.  Send yours here:  www.cupe.ca/action/cupe1281ckln


Sign up for the Women’s Bargaining Conference

CUPE members from across the country will gather in Montréal, Québec February 10-13, 2009 for the National Bargaining Women’s Equality Conference.

This is our opportunity to develop a Canada-wide bargaining agenda to move forward on raising women’s wages, obtaining and improving pensions for women, improving work-home life balance, bargaining secure jobs and protection from workplace violence.

Register online before January 11, 2009 at www.cupe.ca/forms/wbc.php


CUPE election fun page

You might not have as much fun as Dana Larsen, but visit CUPE’s election web page for contests, quizzes and our 2008 election pool.
 
Win prizes and bragging rights with your election knowledge, wit and psychic abilities: www.cupe.ca/election   

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