The newsletter of CUPE Local 15, Vancouver Municipal Education and Community WorkersN

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2010

Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to:CUPE Local 15545 W. 10th Ave.Vancouver, BCV5Z 1K9

The Members’voice

General Membership MeetingNOVEMBER

Date & Time: Wednesday, Nov. 24, 5:30 p.m.

Location: Italian Cultural Centre3075 Slocan St. Vancouver, Room 5Under

Discussion: • 2011 Union Budget• City of Vancouver 2011 Budget• Langara College, Emily Carr University,

VSB bargaining updates• Executive Board By-election: College/University Rep

General Meetings provide all members with an opportunity to participate in decisions that affect the union. (Childcare assistance and Interpretation available upon request.) Please note that there will be a brief VMECW Society meeting following the union meeting to discuss the 2011 proposed budget.

2010

National Health Care Conference - CUPE Health Care Workers Uniteby Pat Taylor, CUPE 15 HSSCBA Health Sector Representative

More than 300 CUPE healthcare workers gathered in Victoria, BC October 20-23, 2010 where we shared front line experiences and discussed major issues which we face on a daily basis.

We were fortunate to have several expert speakers at this conference, including UBC Health Economist Robert Evans. Researchers and university professors participated in panel discussions and shared their views on our current medical system in Canada.

There are myths that the public health care system is unsustainable. After hearing the keynote address given by Frank Dobson, former British Secretary of Health, we learned many lessons from the increased privatization in the U.K.

CUPE has almost 190,000 health care workers from coast to coast. Here in CUPE Local 15 we work for Vancouver Coastal Health and are comprised of occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, licensed practical nurses, dental assistants and hygienists, and administrative staff who are currently organizing the many flu clinics around our city.

We have just launched a Health Care Campaign to bring a greater awareness of the active role we play in the public health care system.

Local 15, along with Locals 1978, 3495, 4816, and CUPE National have joined forces and developed a website and utube video. All CUPE health members should have received a mailing regarding this.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank CUPE Local 15 for allowing me to attend this National Health Care Conference. No matter

where health care workers live and work we are all the same and have many similar struggles.

What we all must remember as we near Remembrance Day is that our grandfathers, grandmothers, fathers, and mothers worked and fought many battles to get Medicare and

WE must fight to keep it and Keep It Public!We have just launched a Health CareCampaign to bring a greater awareness ofthe active role we play in the public healthcare system.

Check out www.howcupehelps.org.

photo by Josh Berson

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Over the last month our Executive Board and staff have been on full speed mode plowing through problems, major issues, developing an exciting budget for our

Union and helping launch a public awareness campaign in Community Health. With all of this going on I thought I would use this space to highlight some of the things we have been doing.

www.howcupehelps.orgCUPE 15 representing over 500 front line

employees at Vancouver Coastal Health has teamed up with CUPE Locals 4816 (Fraser Health), 1978 (Vancouver Island Heath Authority), 3495 (BC Persons with Aids Society) and CUPE National to launch an extensive public campaign to raise public awareness

of the important services CUPE members provide in communities across British Columbia. The campaign includes a 30-second on-line video spot, two radio ads and an online banner which all direct the public to a new website www.howcupehelps.org. CUPE members working in Community Health haven’t received anywhere near the recognition they deserve for the essential work they do each day. I would encourage all members to check out the website and forward it around to your family and friends.

School ClosuresThe Vancouver School Board has started a series of public meetings on the possibility of closing Carleton Elementary, Champlain Heights Annex,

Macdonald Elementary, McBride Annex and Queen Alexandra Elementary schools by the end of the current school year. Over the last few weeks we have made two presentations to the VSB Trustees that included points on the chronic underfunding of School Districts by the Provincial Government, need for more community input on school/land use and the impacts of private schools and relaxed school catchment areas. In addition we have put forward as strong as we could a statement that no CUPE 15 member should be laid off as a result of a school closure. If all of these schools close the projected savings will only be $1.5 million. The projected funding shortfall for the 2011-12 school years is $9.6 million.

Langara College & Emily Carr University NegotiationsThe pace of our negotiations has been picking up with Langara College and Emily Carr University. To date our bargaining committees have had about twenty meetings at Langara and five at Emily Carr working on improving existing Collective Agreement provisions that fall under a non-monetary category. Non-monetary because these employers and all other under provincial control have been given a “net zero mandate” by the BC Liberal Provincial Government. We continue to coordinate our efforts with the other CUPE locals across the provinces that are also in negotiations.

City of Vancouver A few weeks ago our Union received a briefing from the City Manager on the preliminary estimates for the City’s 2011 Operating Budget. At this point in time there is a projected $20 million dollar shortfall which does not factor in any property tax increase that will reduce the total shortfall. We have been reviewing the preliminary estimates and over the coming weeks will be making presentations to ensure public services, programs and unionized positions are protected and/or enhanced. We will continue to strongly advocate for the reduction of exempt

staff positions due to the high levels across all City departments including the Park Board.

In addition we have just spent time working through the City’s plan to implement a new By-law Notice Dispute Adjudication System which changes the way parking related bylaw violations are enforced. The new system takes the dispute process out of the Provincial Courts and brings it into City Hall for adjudication. I look at this as “contracting in” which I believe will be positive over the long term. Under the old court system outstanding tickets represented approximately $7-8 million annually in uncollected revenue. The new model addresses this issue and will result in additional revenue being available to support the City’s overall operation. The new system will result in change in some members’ jobs. There will be a gain of a regular full-time CUPE 15 position. No exempt staff positions were created.

Vancouver Art Gallery In last month’s Members’ Voice our Secretary Treasurer eloquently outlined the disgraceful manner in which the Vancouver Art Gallery Association conducted its September Annual General Meeting. This was especially so in their great efforts to scuttle motions and prevent any debate on two motions that I submitted to increase the financial transparency of the Gallery. The Gallery receives over $4.2 million of public funding yet the VAG senior officials appear to want no one knowing where the money is being spent. This matter and the poor handling of the AGM by the Association Chairperson is still a concern for us. We have been reviewing all options to rectify the situation, including considering litigation.

Since this is the last Members’ Voice in 2010 and there is a whole lot more going on we will continue to post updates on our website www.cupe15.org over the winter months to keep you informed.

A Whole Lot of Things Going OnPresident’s Messageby Paul Faoro

Update from your Executive

Paul Faoro, President

by Leanne Toderian, Secretary Treasurer

What a nugget to be delivered just as I am about to write my November’s Members’ Voice article. While it is a rich subject

I am just dying to weigh in on, I will resist and focus on our local for now.

You will find in this newsletter the 2011 Union and Society Budget. Please take a moment to review it; it shows you just how our local’s money is spent. I am pleased with the state of our current finances; we have stayed on budget and are financially stable once more. We are

also proud to say we are open and transparent, unlike some of our employers, who shall remain nameless. Also, we are audited every year, ensuring we are held to the highest standards. Our next year’s budget is reflective of our local’s desire to represent, protect and advance the interests of our members. I have often heard the

question, where does our money go?

The bulk of our money is spent or saved in affiliations costs to CUPE National and CUPE BC and other labour affiliates. What this means is we contribute to the national and regional offices and in return we have first and foremost, the assurance of strike pay in the event of a strike; education for members and stewards; support at the grievance, legal, arbitration and bargaining fronts; organizing and to work together collectively to support the membership wherever they may work. Together we have a stronger voice – a collective voice – in the workplace and in society as a whole.

Contract enforcement, which is what we call the bread and butter of a local; things like grievances representing members in dispute with their employer; ensuring our members are paid properly; assisting members back from sick leave; job reclassifications; or what seems to be the biggest fighting to keep what you collectively bargained at the table for the term of the contract. There are also the day to day costs which keep a staff of nine people working in the union office to assist in delivering these services to our 6,000 members across 17 collective bargaining contracts.

There are other issues our members have told us are important; flowers or fruit baskets to

members who are off sick or in hospital; the annual Children’s Christmas party which is always well received; bursaries for members wishing to gain skills which may benefit them on the job; donations to community organizations which our members have told us we need to care about in the communities we live in.

We know the importance of saving for a rainy day so that when our members need us most to protect their jobs we are there for them.

Ding-dong, the premier’s gone. Gordon Campbell leaves a legacy of closed government, child poverty, environmental destruction and ripping up collective bargaining contracts. Bye-bye, Gordo, don’t let the door hit you on the way out! I am sure in coming months we will be reminded of the destruction he has had on the regular families; the children of this province and the sick and elderly who cannot always speak for themselves. Shame on you for always taking care of big business interests and masquerading that as caring for the little guy. How about ripping up the grossly large paycheques your cronies get, digging into their books, well, he did with the workers of BC.

See you all at the November General Membership meeting.

It’s the end of a “New Era”…Goodbye, Gordo.

Leanne Toderian Secretary Treasurer

The Members’voiceNO

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Letters, Notices, & Updates

Notice of By-electon –

College/University Sector RepresentativeThere is a vacancy for College/University Sector Representative (balance of a two year term ending in May 2011).

Election for this position will take place at the General Membership Meeting on November 24th. Only members from the College/University Sector are eligible to vote.

Notices of Motion - Union Budget

The Executive recommends adoption of the proposed 2011 Union budget.

Notices of Motion - Society Budget

The Executive recommends adoption of the proposed 2011 Society budget.

notices

Bursary thanksMy heartfelt thanks go to everybody at CUPE Local 15 for granting me a Members’ Bursary. This financial support is very much appreciated because it will help me finish my studies and attain my goal.

Thank you for continuing to help and work for the good of all the CUPE members. I wish you all the best and more power.

Sincerely,Teresa Reyes -Cambronero, Langara College

VSB Job Share OpportunitySSW job share position available starting January 2011. The incumbent prefers to work Wednesday, Thursday, and every second Friday.

Please contact Judy Heintz at judithlynne57@yahoo.ca or 604-873-0105 (home).

ACCC ConferenceBy Reba Noel, Langara College

From June 6 through June 8, 2010 I attended the annual conference for the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC) in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Given the limited access to professional development funds for CUPE Local 15 members, I was fortunate to be co-funded for the expenses arising from this conference by CUPE Local 15 and Langara College.

I extend a very sincere thank you to CUPE Local 15 for ensuring the finances for this trip were in order so that my focus was solely on the experience and not the expense. I am grateful to be represented by a union that recognizes how professional development contributes to a positive and progressive work environment.

The theme for the 2010 ACCC conference was “Power the Future: Transforming Communities Through Learning”. The line up of keynote speakers included a well known journalist, a journalism student, leaders from community service organizations like the United Way and Unicef, the business sector and the science and technology field. Through sharing the knowledge gained in both their personal and professional experiences, each of these speakers provided a new lens for viewing and addressing the issues we are facing and will face in post secondary education in Canada. In particular, noted CBC journalist, Ann Medina, highlighted the value

of “senior” (+50 years) students on campus. Specifically, a greater presence of “senior” students contributes to the learning experience of the average demographic (18–25 years) by increasing exposure to another generation and the opportunity to see how this generation learns, sets priorities and shares their life experiences.

The Staff Networking Lunch was a great opportunity to speak with other support staff from across the country to explore issues they may be or expect to be facing within their institutions. All in all, it was agreed that no matter if your institution was in an urban area like Vancouver or Toronto or a remote area like Goose Bay, Labrador, there are issues common to post secondary that transcend location and demographic.

There were so many concurrent sessions addressing the issues facing staff working across all levels and in a variety of specialties in the post secondary sector. Although I attended quite a number of these sessions, there were a few that really stood out and that, I felt, will make an impact in my daily work.

One such session was on the impact that support staff have on student success. And, that this impact is usually through the little things that support staff do to make a difference in the overall post secondary experience for the student. This could be as simple as having a water dish on hand for seeing eye dogs, keeping a supply of granola bars for students who forget their lunches, or a stash of left behind copy cards for those in need of a quick photocopy. Their “can do” attitude also transcends their interaction with students to their daily interactions with other staff and faculty of the institution, making it a more pleasant place for everyone. I found this session to be encouraging and reminded me how far the small gestures can go in making a difference to someone’s day and learning experience.

In essence, this conference was a great opportunity to learn more about the best practices in post secondary and to refresh and renew my enthusiasm for the work that I do.

Field Trips and the VSB Collective Agreementby Donna Petersen, VSB Shop Steward

Field Trips! Students love them and some positions include the requirement of field trip participation.

A common language summation of your rights around field trips is as follows:

Field trips are generally between work • hours of 8:00 and 17:00 hours. As long as the field trip is between the hours of your normal working hours, there is no additional compensation.Overtime requires prior written authorization • for hours outside the normal work day.For a one day field trip where you work more • than your normal hours of work you are entitled to two times your rate of pay for all overtime worked to the nearest one half hour but it must be approved beforehand.Weekday overnight field trips will be paid to • a maximum of four hours overtime beyond a normal work day. If the field trip includes a Saturday or Sunday, you will be paid up to seven hours per day.

See article 6.F.3 for full details.

Quote of the MonthNorth Vancouver MLA Naomi Yamamoto has become the province’s first Minister of State for Building Code Renewal. The appointment was part of the recent cabinet shuffle announced by Premier Gordon Campbell in his desperate attempt to save his Liberal Government from becoming extinct.

In an interview with the North Shore News Yamamoto said the building code renewal portfolio was created in response to an urgent need to bring British Columbia’s construction practices up to date. “This is an area that has needed attention . . . for a long time,” she said. Asked if she had any experience related to the building code, Yamamoto said:

“Not really, no. Other than having lived in several buildings.”

Don’t you feel a lot safer now?

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Budget

by Leanne Toderian, Secretary Treasurer

The CUPE Local 15 Finance Committee is proud to present the 2011 Union and Society Budgets on behalf of the Union Executive for 2011. The committee met several times during the last few months to review 2011 draft budgets in preparation of this year’s recommendations. There are a few changes and improvements I would like to highlight.

UNIONOur dues revenues will be approximately $4.7 million in 2011; of that we will pay our affiliation fees which account for $2.4 million, leaving an operating budget of approximately $2.3 million.

As always, contract enforcement is a priority and remains a focus of our budget. Education and steward involvement is on the rise and we reflect that in line items 5565 and 5567. In an effort to deliver training to as many members as possible the Education Committee is recommending an

in-town Activist Weekend this spring. We hope it is a success and if it is, we may alternate in and out-of-town training. The local also continues to respond to changing times and we are pursuing faster, better service to our members; increased communications, electronic filing systems, and improvements to our Members’ Voice. Also in response to increasing activism, we have created a line item for staff development. Our local has almost 6,000 members who access the services of staff in relation to their work, job security, and protection. We believe, if approved, this will improve service to our 17 bargaining units.

SOCIETYI am pleased to report we are proposing an increase to line item 985 Member Services. If approved, this will provide some financial aid for our members with the assistance of a well respected legal office formerly known as Pivot Legal LLP, now Ethos Law Group. The Union and Society have enjoyed a good relationship with this organization in the past, which has also supported

neighbourhoods where our members work, predominantly the Downtown Eastside. Details will follow in a future Members’ Voice and on the web, should this line item be approved by the membership.

Elsewhere, we continue to contribute to the Building Contingency Fund, the Children’s Christmas party and bursaries.

In ClosingI would like to thank the three Trustees, Sister Michele Alexander, and Brothers Joseph Lau and Arthur Lum and our Local 15 Accounting Coordinator, Brother Mark Gloumeau for their hard work and dedication to assuring the finances of the Union and Society reflect the members’ direction and best interests of the local. The budgets for both Union and Society will be presented to the general membership for approval at the November General Membership Meeting on Wednesday, November 24th at the Italian Cultural Centre. Details on the front page of this newsletter.

It’s budget time! 2011 BudgetCU

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Interview with Shop Steward - Reba Noel, Langara CollegeQ: Where do you work?I work as a Student Services Assistant in the Counselling Department of Langara College.

Q: How long have you been doing that now?I have been at Langara for 15 years.

Q: Was this your first job at the College?Yes... I came to Vancouver to visit family and my brother showed me a job posting for Langara and the rest is history. I had worked in the post secondary sector prior to coming to British Columbia.

Q: What made you decide to get involved and was stewarding your first involvement?A co-worker at the College was not successful in a job posting and I felt quite strongly that he should have had the job. I knew the union dealt with these issues but I was not sure how. I thought I should learn so I could support other co-workers if they were ever in a similar situation. Of course, stewarding issues extend beyond non-appointment issues but this was the spring board for my involvement in the union. I had served as the CUPE representative on the College Advancement Committee prior to becoming a steward.

Q: What have you learned about yourself since you began stewarding?I am far more rational and a lot less confrontational than I thought. I often get upset, sometimes up-in-arms, when I hear of another experiencing workplace injustices in this society. That passion for workplace justice is best served when we have calm voices and level heads communicating about the issue that has arisen

and its resolution. Don’t think me too passive though... I am always up for a good debate!

Q: What was your most rewarding experience?There are so many, but I feel the most joy during those private conversations with members who had felt that they had nowhere to turn until they came to me. Even if we are not able to resolve the situation they are facing, just letting them know that there is someone there to listen, advocate on their behalf, and ensure their rights are upheld is rewarding beyond words. Any time you are able ensure the collective agreement is being upheld is rewarding but it is those personal experiences with members that I cherish the most.

Q: You are now Chief Shop Steward for the Post Secondary Sector. How did it make you feel to be elected into this position by your peers?I am very honoured as there are other shop stewards who have been stewarding for longer than I have been an employee at the College. Having their vote of confidence, along with those of the less senior stewards is quite flattering. I hope I can provide the results my peers expected when they felt I was the appropriate person for this position. Right now I feel confident that I can, and I know they are there for any support I may need.

Q: If there was some advice to give to someone who is contemplating becoming a steward what would that be?

Just do it! You will learn so much more about your work place and your rights as a worker than you ever imagined. One caution would be that if you are thinking of stewarding with the goal of changing your workplace, you may want to step back and rethink your motivation. If you feel compelled about a situation in your workplace, talk to a steward... if you want to ensure that collective agreements are upheld and that your coworkers are treated with fairness and respect at their workplace, check the union calendar for the next shop steward training!

Q: Tell us something about yourself that we would not otherwise know? I still use many of the traditional homemaking methods for preparing jams, pickles, fruit, pasta sauces, and meat. I do not purchase commercially prepared jams, pickles or sauces. Instead, I buy the fruits or vegetables from a local farm and use my mom’s age-old recipes for preparing and preserving them. In the same fashion, I bottle fresh meat and salmon. I love the sight of a well stocked pantry; a trait passed on to me from my mother, who survived the Great Depression and World War II.

Steward Profile

Attention VSB Members: Procedures for Contacting a Shop Stewardby Miriam Pulsifer, Chief Shop Steward This has been a difficult year due to government cut backs, recent lay offs, and potential school closures and our shop stewards are here to help assist you in union related issues. Here is the procedure for reaching a steward:

There are two ways you can reach a shop steward:

Email the union office directly at email@cupe15.org using your personal email (please do not use your VSB email).

Call the union office at 604-879-4671 during

business hours and ask to be transferred to the VSB Steward Line. Leave a clear message outlining your issue, your full name, worksite, cell and/or home phone number. A shop steward will reply within the week. Please be patient as our shop stewards are volunteers working hard to assist members, as well as working full-time at their regular school board positions. Please do not contact shop stewards at their worksites.

If you have an issue or question regarding pay or benefits please contact the VSB directly and try to resolve the problem yourself before contacting a shop steward. VSB contact names and numbers are listed in the Ready Reference which is available at any school office. If your questions or issues are related to your

Municipal Pension Plan, Vancouver Employees’ Savings Plan, WorkSafe, or Employment Insurance please contact your service provider directly. A shop steward’s role is to ensure that the employer is following our collective agreement and to protect your rights within it. Please familiarize yourself with your agreement. It is available online at www.cupe15.org. If you need a copy please ask your office assistant or contact the union office and request a copy to be sent out.

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Re-Member

Fallen Tofino Paramedics laid to rest at ceremony attended by thousandsTOFINO—In a moving ceremony attended by paramedics, firefighters, police officers and other emergency personnel from all over North America, the community of Tofino said goodbye Saturday to Jo-Ann Fuller and Ivan Polivka, the two paramedics who died in the line of duty on October 19.

John Strohmaier, President of the Ambulance Paramedics of BC, CUPE Local 873 gave a moving tribute to Fuller and Polivka, referring often to the more than 37 years experience between the two. During their careers as paramedics in Tofino, both contributed to their community far beyond the call of duty, making them both integral parts of the tight-knit, isolated town.

Strohmaier also reflected on the sad fact that in his ten years as president of the paramedics’ union this was the third memorial for paramedics killed on the job. “Never again,” he said. “We must ensure we never have to say goodbye to someone like this again.”

Representatives of both families gave eulogies, reflecting on how important the wellbeing of others was to both. The eulogies and tributes painted both paramedics as generous and friendly people who brought happiness and joy to the lives of all who knew them. Both Fuller and Polivka were deeply committed to their professions, and both were recognized for the lives they saved as paramedics, as well as the care and comfort they provided to patients who could not be saved.

The memorial was held in a specially constructed tent—which covered an entire playing field at the local school—as there was no facility large enough for the more than 3,500 mourners who came to pay tribute. The ceremony began with a sombre and deeply moving procession of 2 ambulances dressed in black fabric and carrying members of the Fuller and Polivka families, followed by more than 1,000 emergency personnel from across Canada and the United States, including

hundreds of BC Ambulance Paramedics. Hundreds of Tofino residents lined the streets and silently watched the procession go by. Many of the marchers blinked back tears, some more successfully than others, as they passed the Tofino RCMP detachment and saluted the Canadian flag snapping in the breeze at half-mast.

Once marchers and attendees were seated in the enormous tent, Lieutenant Dan McClelland of the Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services sang “O Canada.” Reverend John Lowe of the BC Ambulance Paramedics then introduced Hyou-sun-up-shilth First Nation Chief Elmer Frank, who gave greetings and delivered a personal tribute to the paramedics. BC Ambulance Service Superintendent David Valentine, aide-de-camp to Lieutenant Governer Stephen Point spoke next, followed by the provincial minister of health services, who read a letter from the Premier. Tofino Mayor John Fraser spoke on behalf of the community, while Chief Operating Officer Les Fisher represented the BC Ambulance Service.

Paramedic Keith Jamieson, who worked at Tofino Station 136 with Fuller and Polivka,

represented their colleagues and spoke movingly of the impact their loss has had. Jo-Ann Fuller’s brother, Bob Hansen, and Ivan Polivka’s stepson Fred Webber spoke next, and both provided sad but occasionally humourous reflections on the personal lives of the two paramedics.Following the

presentation of a flag to both families, the ceremony concluded with a video tribute that played to the tune of Mumford & Sons’ haunting, dirge-like song, “After the Storm.” As the song rose to its pitch and ended, the video closed with the stark image of a paramedic looking at the stretch of the highway above Kennedy Lake where Fuller and Polivka died, while the speakers broadcast audio tape of an ambulance dispatcher saying “136 K1 is 10-7.”

Jo-Ann Fuller and Ivan Polivka were paramedics at Tofino Station 136. Their ambulance was K-1. “10-7” means the ambulance has reached its destination.

CUPE 873 President John Strohmaier also marched in the procession, along with CUPE National President Paul Moist, CUPE BC President Barry O’Neill, Secretary Treasurer Mark Hancock and General Vice President Paul Faoro. CUPE was also represented by Regional Director Robin Jones, a former paramedic himself. Hospital Employees Union President Ken Robinson attended to show solidarity with the families, the community and paramedics.

“I know I speak for every CUPE member across the country when I say our hearts go out to the Fuller and Polivka families,” said Moist. “This is the first time I have been to Tofino, but it took almost no time at all here to see how close a community it is, and to see how important Jo-Ann and Ivan were to so many. I am sure their families, while reeling from the tragedy, must be heartened to have seen the outpouring of sympathy and support from so many front-line emergency workers, as well as from citizens from all walks of life.”

President, Paul Faoro pays his respects

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2010 The Members’voice

Events & CreditsThe Members’voice

The Members’ Voice is published nine times a year for members of CUPE Local 15 - Vancouver Municipal, Education and Community Workers. The Deadline for submissions is 9:00 a.m. on the first Wednesday of each month. All submissions may be edited for brevity and clarity. Signed articles and letters do not necessarily reflect the views or policy of CUPE Local 15.

CUPE Local 15545 West 10th AvenueVancouver, BC V5Z 1K9Phone: 604-879-4671Fax: 604-879-7582Email: email@cupe15.orgWebsite: www.cupe15.org

Local 15 is a chartered affiliate of the Canadian Union of Public Employees and is also affiliated with the CUPE British Columbia Division, CUPE Metro District Council and the Vancouver & District Labour Council. CUPE 15 is a member of the Canadian Association of Labour Media (CALM).

CUPE Local 15 Executive Board

Table Officers:President: Paul Faoro

1st Vice President: Miriam Pulsifer

2nd Vice President: Sally Bankiner

Secretary Treasurer: Leanne Toderian

Sector Representatives:City: Santino Scardillo, Diane Brown

College/University: Emma Somers

Cultural: Matthew Quiring

Health/HSSCBA: Patricia Taylor

Health/HSPBA: Caroline Mewis

Parks: Anne-Marie McGee, Barb Dickinson

K-12: Peggy Wong, Warren Williams

Trustees:Joey Lau, Michelle Alexander, Arthur Lum

Staff Representatives:Steve Baker, John Geppert, Keith Graham, Graeme Moore

Office & Administrative Staff:Mark Gloumeau, Accounting Coordinator Maureen Dorratt, Office Assistant Rosemary Matheson, Office Manager Barbara Simpson, Office Assistant

Building Maintenance:Jeff Zaharia

CUPE National Representatives:Justin Schmid, Tina Meadows, Matt Yun

Designed by talkingdog.ca

2010 CUPE 15 Christmas Skate

Passion for Justice is Pivot’s annual auction held every November.

This year, party-goers went to the newly-renovated theatre at Main and Cordova, and were treated to many fabulous acts. The women of Tantra Fitness showed us that pole-dancing isn’t just for the usual, but also can be a great fitness regime!

And of course, Carlotta Gurl captivated the audience with her wild numbers, like Big Spender.

Passion is a yearly, busy, swanky affair with entertainment that pushes boundaries and amazing auction items that spur bidding wars. Next year, bring your friends, dress up, and enjoy an exciting evening of good people, great acts, and bidding in support of real change. Learn more about Pivot Legal Society at pivotlegal.org

Pivot celebratesat their annual Passion for Justice

3:00 – 5:00 pmSunset Ice Rink

6810 Main Street in Vancouver

Join our Facebook group. Just search for CUPE 15

You do not need to call the union office to register. Please bring your union card or other piece • of ID from your employer with you to the rink.There is a limit of 300 members on the ice at any time.• Please respect the staff who are there to ensure you and your child’s safety.• There are a limited number of skates and helmets, please bring your own to avoid wait times.• There will be a number of off-ice activities to enjoy as well as a few refreshments and a • chocolate treat!Dress appropriately as the rink can be chilly.•

President, Paul Faoro with Pivot lawyer, Katrina Pacey

Hey Members, bring your family on

Saturday, December 4, 2010