Fire destroys offices of CUPE locals 523 and 608
An explosion in Penticton on Friday destroyed six businesses on Friday, including two CUPE locals and the Labour Council office.
Zoe Magnus, of local 523, sends this message: “While we in CUPE have also experienced loss, I take great comfort in knowing that we have a phenomenal support system in place, in our local and extended communities. I’ve received calls of support and offers of help from local school board administration (including one school principal who offered a food hamper) and Terry Green, President of Okanagan Skaha Teachers Union has offered practical and emotional support.
Carolae Donoghue, our RVP and President of CUPE 608 has been tremendous, even while coping with the loss of her own Local office. National Representative Rob Hewitt has been in touch with Colleen and I throughout the day - his words of support and encouragement are invaluable. And of course, knowing that we are part of the CUPE BC and CUPE National family makes all the difference in the world – your phone call confirmed for me that we are a strong family and that we take care of each other. Thank you.”
June 29th: First Nations National Day of Action
Today across the country CUPE members are supporting the Assembly of First Nations National Day of Action in response to the crisis their communities face. Last week the CUPE National Executive Board passed a resolution in support of this event. CUPE members were asked to support and attend any events and activities in their area, sign the online petition at the AFN website at www.afn.ca, wear a wristband to show support for Make Poverty History campaign, call or write MPs, the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs and the Office of the Prime Minister.June 29th: Brother Claude attends a Sweet Grass Ceremony in NB
CUPE members and a representative of the First Nations gathered in Dieppe this Friday, for the official opening of the new Moncton area CUPE office. The Pipe Carrier for the Fort Folly First Nation, Jean Nye, presided at a sweet grass ceremony as part of the opening ceremony.
“We are honoured by the presence, here today, of the Fort Folly First Nation representative,” said Claude Généreux, CUPE National Secretary-Treasurer. “Today across the country CUPE members are supporting the Assembly of First Nations National Day of Action in response to the crisis their communities face.”
CUPE represents more than 20 000 members in New Brunswick.
Brother Paul in Johannesburg
CUPE President Paul Moist is in Johannesburg for this week’s triennial of the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (NEHAWU). His luggage may have been lost on the way there, but not his enthusiasm. The public employees strike in South Africa, involving almost one million workers, ended while he was there. The strike involved NEHAWU members who work in health care and education, as well as teachers, police, corrections and others. His daily updates from South Africa are being posted on the CUPE website at www.cupe.ca/globaljustice.A flood of appreciation for CUPE in the Valley
The day began with rain, but quickly turned to sunshine by the time CUPE BC President Barry O’Neill arrived in the Chilliwack Public Works yard this week at the hot-dog lunch to hand out a joint CUPE BC-Mayor Clint Hames Certificate of Recognition to CUPE 458 members for hard work, dedication and commitment to community in defense of residents, public property and infrastructure during BC Flood Watch 2007. The local media was on hand to record the event, which will be remembered fondly by all involved.School board cuts to cause chaos
The union representing 185 custodial, 173 secretarial and clerical and technical staff at the Near North District School Board is urging parents and community members to contact school trustees and tell them to reverse proposed cuts that will undermine safety and the quality of education in schools throughout the Nipissing and Parry Sound districts. CUPE is filing grievances on behalf of affected members and encouraging community members to get involved and stop the cuts.Ottawa garbage strike looms
A commercial garbage strike could affect businesses and restaurants, government and public buildings, and apartment buildings and condos in Ottawa, as early as July 6, if Local 1338 is unable to reach a negotiated settlement with Waste Management Canada Inc, on behalf of 50 waste haulage personnel and 15 landfill operators at the Carp Road landfill site. A strike would affect all commercial, public and apartment buildings, and cause a backup at the landfill site, as other unionized waste collection workers will not cross the picket line and the landfill will be shutdown.Health and safety a key issue at Community Living Sarnia-Lambton
More than 300 persons with a developmental disability could be without service beginning just after midnight tomorrow, June 27, if management at Community Living Sarnia-Lambton does not reach a collective agreement with its front line staff. At meetings this week, the members of CUPE 4370 reaffirmed their support for their bargaining team mates efforts to win new health and safety provisions as well as ongoing improvements to wages as new funding flows from the province to the agency. Mediation between the union, representing about 138 developmental services workers, and the employer broke off without a settlement.Community Living Guelph Wellington ready to force workers off the job
Community Living Guelph Wellington has started the clock ticking toward a lockout of more than 350 front line developmental services workers represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees. At the end of the last week, the employer requested a “no board” report from the provincially-appointed conciliator. A legal strike/lockout date comes 17 days after the report is issued sometime this week. They were part of a massive lobby campaign involving unions, employers, parents and families that resulted in a provincial government decision to add $200 million in new funding over the next four years. More than half is targeted at improving wages; yet, to date the employer has tabled a wage offer that falls well short of the pattern established by other recent collective agreements in the sector.Special Days
- June 29th: First Nations National Day of Action