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Save the National Film Board

Staff at the National Film Board have launched a campaign to reverse 15 years of cutbacks.

The staff, members of CUPE Local 2656 and CUPE Local 4835, have watched as this icon of Canadian culture has withered to a shadow of its former self.

The campaign features video clips of famous film makers testifying on behalf of the NFB.

The union is also running an online action encouraging people to email their MP in support of more funding for the NFB.

Email your MP here:  cupe.ca/action/nfb-action.

For more on the campaign see: www.cupe.ca/nfb.


Winnipeggers come together against plan to sell off city services

More than 150 people were at a presentation about the perils of water privatization out of concern over Winnipeg city council’s plan for an “arm’s length business model to operate city owned utilities.”

The meeting featured presentations by Tony Clarke of the Polaris Institute and Lynne Fernandez of the Canadian Centre of Policy Alternatives.

It’s time for citizens to become custodians of their water – if we don’t we are going to be facing a huge water crisis in the future,”
Clarke said.

A community coalition - including CUPE 500 - has formed to demand consultation and transparency around planning for public infrastructure.


CUPE 3372 on strike for fair wages

The six members of CUPE Local 3372 walked off the job February 4 to demand higher wages from Aramark, their employer at the Hugh John Flemming Forestry Centre in Fredericton.

Every day, these workers feed hundreds of students and workers but can barely afford to put food on the table to feed their family.  They are among the lowest paid food service workers in the province”, said CUPE rep Maureen Michaud.

The local has been without a contract since December 31, 2007.


CUPE 3902 settles with U of T

CUPE Local 3902 - student and post-doctoral fellow TAs, course instructors, and invigilators at the University of Toronto - ratified a tentative agreement this week.

The agreement reached with the university includes no concessions, a good monetary package, and improvements to the quality of education at U of T.  Given that the agreement was this good, our members voted 97% to accept,” said CUPE Local 3902 Chair Robert Ramsay.


CUPE 4600 settles with Carleton University

CUPE Local 4600 members voted 66% to ratify a new collective agreement this week.

The agreement runs to August 31, 2010.

Highlights include a 3% increase for all members, and improvements to benefit plans.


Simon Fraser University community unites against cuts

More than 1,000 students, staff, and teachers rallied at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, BC this week to demand adequate funding for public education.

While cuts are threatening all of BC’s post secondary institutions, SFU stands to lose 50 staff and 30 faculty jobs.

The crowd called on the province to reverse funding cuts made last March and deliver promised operating funds in its upcoming budget.

CUPE 3338 President Joann Field predicted that “there will be no true public universities left in BC by 2012 unless the government provides a significant increase in funding to post-secondary institutions.”

Meanwhile, a BC education coalition-sponsored Angus Reid poll reported this week that 86% of BCers believe investment in public education should be a key part of any economic stimulus plan in the upcoming provincial budget.


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