cupe15-issue39

A new CUPE clerical workers’ survey shows what clerical workers across BC already know - that they are highly skilled, overworked and underpaid. The report, undertaken by CUPE National Researcher John Malcolmson, gathered information on clerical work, workload pressure and impacts from 449 workers in six different BC bargaining units.

The resulting report attached here is entitled Spread Too Thin - Clerical Work Under Pressure.

Clerical work is predominantly full-time continuing employment. Clerical workers taking part in the survey report earning an average of $37,400 per year. The age of workers taking part in the survey averaged 46 years, close to the average of all CUPE members in BC. And, survey results confirm that clerical work in CUPE bargaining units remains an overwhelmingly female-dominated job classification.

The study found that:· Clerical staff report high levels of work

experience in the field, although significantly less with current employers. This suggests that people drawn to this type of employment typically remain within this classification area through their careers, even though they may change jobs with greater regularity.

· Clerical workers report an interesting educational background profile with one-half of participants having some level of

post-secondary educational qualification and almost one in five having university-level degree qualifications.

· Clerical work is not static in nature and has seen major change over time with the advent of new technology and newer norms of work organization and administration.

· Clerical workers participating in the survey offer strong evidence of mounting workload pressure in their workplaces. Almost 80 per cent of those surveyed say their workload

has increased in the past two years and a similar percentage says that new duties have been added to their jobs. However, about 70 per cent report their work hours have remained the same over the same period. Viewing these three measures together confirms increasing work intensification for most surveyed clerical workers over this period.

· Clerical workers confirm a widespread management practice of not replacing

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

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

General Membership MeetingNOVEMBER

Date & Time:Location:

Under Discussion:

Wednesday, November 28, 2012, 5:30 pm, Trattoria Room Italian Cultural Centre, 3075 Slocan St., Vancouver • Bargaining Updates: Vancouver Coastal Health, City et

al, Vancouver School Board, Langara College, Emily Carr University and Langara Students’ Union

• Notices of Motion, see page 3 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 following the General Membership meeting there will be a short General Society meeting to vote on the 2013 budget.2012

The Members’voiceNO

VEM

BER

2012

Clerical Workers ‘Spread too Thin’

In solidarity with CUPE 4627by Paul Faoro, President

On October 30th President Paul Faoro joined with CUPE 15 members at the Students’ Union of Vancouver Community College to support striking

CUPE Local 4627 members at the college.

CUPE members at VCC voted 93% in favour of taking strike action to back their Bargaining Committee.

These workers deserve a fair deal! CUPE 15 is currently in negotiations at Langara College and will be starting soon at Emily Carr University.

con’t on page 8


VEM

BER

2012

2

WWW.CUPE15.ORG CUPE Local 15, Vancouver Municipal Education and Community Workers

It’s time for a few deals - fair ones. by Paul Faoro, President

Update from your Executive

Since Labour Day there has not been a quiet day at the Union Office. Bargaining has been ongoing at the City where the members just ratified a contract offer,

Vancouver School Board members just ratified their contract proposals, the Vancouver Coastal Health Community Sector is in a strike position,

and the Vancouver Coastal Health Paramedical Sector is taking a strike vote.

I also attended the Langara College annual membership meeting where members discussed collective agreement strategies, confirmed their committees, and elected stewards.

This was a great event coordinated by the Chief Shop Steward at Langara, Sister Reba Noel and Sister Kathie Currie, Staff Representative.

Emily Carr University of Art and Design also held their annual membership meeting to elect their committees. I have had the pleasure of attending

a few of these now and have found that participation keeps getting higher and higher. I believe members feel involvement is the best way to have your voice heard.

I also had the pleasure of meeting with some new Health Sector members at Vancouver General Hospital at 8:00 a.m. in advance of orientation day. It was great to have the opportunity to meet new members, something we are not always able to do. We rely on employers inviting us to events such as these as we have no way of knowing who our new members are.

Squeezed into all of this we have held many steward meetings and organized our Steward Activist weekend which was held the first weekend in November. While many had to drop out due to increasing pressure on their schedules (bargaining, etc.) we had a great group of committed activists attend. The group attended workshops on member to member conflict resolution, social media and on-line privacy, politics in action, and recent developments in labour law. Thank you to the Education Activist Sub-Committee who put in an enormous amount of time organizing this event. Thanks also to the facilitators, Sarah Bjorknas, Joseph Lau, Tania Jarzebiak, and John MacTavish.

Also on the to do list is organizing the Annual Children’s Christmas Party. This year by popular demand we return to the Stanley Park Train. This has been a very well received event and the little ones absolutely love it! I ask you to abide by the membership’s wishes and keep in mind you will require proof of membership to obtain tickets. Members approve a budget based on our members with children under 12 years of age to get up to four tickets but only if they have three children. This is not meant to replace your child’s birthday party or for bringing along a friend. Members with little children have missed out in the past when other members don’t follow the rules. We have no way of policing this event and rely on the honesty of others to abide by the wishes of the membership.

On a lighter note, we had a team entered into the City of Vancouver Chili Cook-off and the crowd was lively with the other contestants and members tasting our offering. This was a wonderful opportunity to catch up with members in a casual way.

See you all at the next General Membership Meeting where we discuss the 2013 Executive and Society Budgets.

Around the union by Leanne Toderian, Secretary Treasurer

Leanne Toderian Secretary Treasurer

Paul Faoro, President

In last month’s Members’ Voice newsletter I titled my article “It’s time for a few deals – fair ones” which now looking back was fitting since days after its printing

we reached an agreement with the City of Vancouver. This four year agreement that I would label as fair and balanced contains wage

increases of 1.25% January 1, 2012, 1.75% January 1, 2013, 1.75% January 1, 2014 and 2% January 1, 2015. In addition, significant improvements to provisions in the collective agreement were made in job security, layoff and bumping language, postings and promotions, and the use of seniority.

I am pleased we were able to reach this agreement in a fairly short time period when comparing it back to previous rounds of negotiations with the City. In fact our agreement is only the second such agreement reached in lower mainland. Not being handcuffed to the Metro Vancouver Labour Bureau at the bargaining table was one of the factors leading to a quicker deal. I also believe having a City Council that values the work its unionized work force delivers each day to the citizens of Vancouver was equally important. Given the huge turnout of members at last week’s ratification vote it’s clear our members were pleased with the agreement. The agreement renews four collective agreements

for over 2,500 members at the City of Vancouver, Park Board, Ray-Cam, and Britannia.

I was disappointed to read comments about the agreement in the media by NPA City Councillors George Affleck and Elizabeth Ball who called the deal “too rich” and suggested zeros would have been better. I am not surprised by these comments given that it is normal practice for Non-Partisan Association City Councillors to not support public sector workers. No one will ever forget Sam Sullivan and the NPA who forced a strike in 2007 that shut down public services in Vancouver for three months. The NPA today still remains an out of touch and ideologically backwards political party.

Our negotiations haven’t slowed down but in fact the pace has increased as major contract talks are in play for CUPE 15 members at Vancouver Coastal Health, Langara College, Vancouver School Board, Emily Carr University, and the Langara Students’ Union. Five of our other contract groups could also come into this category in coming months.

The heat is really going to be turned up at Vancouver Coastal Health as our members and the other health care unions have taken strike votes and are preparing to use them. Negotiations have gone on for almost a year and the government’s negotiators are still looking for concessions. I am very proud of our members for voting to take strike action in order to back up our bargaining committees and their goal of reaching fair and respectful agreements.

The “Cooperative Gains Mandate” imposed by the BC Liberals has taken away the right of free collective bargaining and the strong strike votes are a telling sign of frustration from health care workers across the province. It is appalling the way health care workers are treated by the current provincial government. Our members at Vancouver Coastal Health have not had a wage increase since 2009 and have had benefits stripped away from them. Our members are falling behind and this must end. If it takes a strike to do that then that’s what our union is going to do.

CUPE 15 Health Care members gearing up

The Members’voice3

NO

VEM

BER

2012


Letters, Notices, & Updates

noticesThe Members Decided

At the General Membership Meeting on October 24, 2012 the following decisions were made:• To acclaim Sister Brenda Coombs

to the vacant Parks Sector Representative position on the Executive Board.

The Executive Decided

At the Executive and Society meetings on October 17 and November 7, 2012 the following decisions were made:• To host a holiday open house

event at the union office.• To donate $500 to the

Downtown Eastside Neighbourhood House.

• To purchase two tickets to the Mayor’s Dinner.

• To donate $250 to the Labour Community Christmas Dinner.

• To appoint Sister Brenda Coombs to the Parks Labour Management Committee.

• To purchase seven tickets to the Gen Why Media event at the Rio Theatre.

• To appoint Brother Warren Williams as the interim Chief Shop Steward at the VSB.

• To donate $500 to the Megaphone fundraising event “Night of Joyful Voices”.

Donation Thanks!On behalf of the tenants at the Old Continental and Gresham Residences, we would like to thank you for your generous donation of $200 for each building to support our Christmas party.

I am planning to cook turkey lunch with all the fixings for 150 tenants on Thursday, December 13, 2012. The tenants will also be invited to a Christmas party at The Senior’s Club on Seymour Street, on December 25th. We will pay the costs.

Thanks for your donation and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to members and staff.

Yours truly,Paul Rouleau, Residence Manager

Notice of Motion – Society2013 Draft BudgetThe Executive Board recommends approval of the proposed 2013 Society budget.

Notices of Motion – Union 1. 2013 Draft BudgetThe Executive Board recommends approval of the proposed 2013 union budget.

2. Jurisdictional TransferThe Executive Board recommends to the membership to accept a newly organized group of employees (organized as Local 5046) of Our Community Security Ltd into the jurisdiction of CUPE Local 15. The transfer/merger would be completed under the CUPE National Constitution.

Background By Paul Faoro, President

CUPE Local 5046 is a new local with the CUPE family. This is a result of a successful organizing drive for a group of approximately 25 employees of Our Community Security Ltd who currently work at the Woodward’s complex in Vancouver. They have recently concluded their first collective agreement and their membership have voted to join CUPE Local 15. Their collective agreement does not expire until December 31, 2013.

As way of background, the local was organized last year and is composed of about 25 security guards who work for a private company founded to provide security services specifically in the environment of the Downtown Eastside. Their primary contract is providing security for the Woodward’s building.

CUPE Local 15 has the resources to service this small group of members. Given that our union already has numerous members working in the Downtown Eastside in various contract groups bringing this new group into our jurisdiction will strengthen our union.

3. Full Time Officer Compensation – Secretary TreasurerIt was moved by Brother Doug Elford and seconded by Sister Michele Alexander to change the existing CUPE Local 15 bylaw Section 12.6 to read “the Secretary Treasurer will be a full time paid officer of CUPE Local 15, booked off his/her job for the term of office at his/her regular rate of pay, or the equivalent of the Staff Representative II, Step 1 rate of the Communication, Energy and Paperworkers’ Union Local 467-UW collective agreement, whichever is greater. No person shall hold the position for more than two consecutive terms.

The Executive Board recommends non-approval of this motion.

4. Full Time Officer Compensation – PresidentIt was moved by Brother Doug Elford and seconded by Sister Michele Alexander to change the existing CUPE Local 15 bylaw Section 12.7 to read “the President will be a full time paid officer of CUPE Local 15, booked off his/her job for the term of office at his/her regular rate of pay, or the equivalent of the Staff Representative II, Step 1 rate of the Communication, Energy and Paperworkers’ Union Local 467-UW collective agreement, whichever is greater.

The Executive Board recommends non-approval of this motion.

Background By Doug Elford, City Member

The Executive was asked by the membership to conduct a salary review of all CUPE full time elected officers across Canada of similar sized locals. The review revealed our two CUPE 15 full time officers are paid below the average compensation at this level. This notice of motion for a proposed pay increase is based on the highest wage of the staff in the employ of CUPE Local 15 and brings them in line with officers in similar positions.

Bursary Thanks!This is an extremely late but exceptionally huge THANK YOU for awarding me a $500 part-time studies bursary. I currently work at Vancouver Technical School in the office, and am taking courses at Langara to upgrade my Fine Arts degree.

The financial award has helped towards my tuition fees. Thank you again.

Kelly Page, VSB Member

Search CUPE 15 for Facebook, and keep up-to-date- on news from your union at: @cupelocal15


VEM

BER

2012

4


by Michele Alexander, Trustee

November is the time of year that the Finance Committee and Executive Board ask the members to review and approve the Union and Society budgets for the upcoming year. The CUPE Local 15 Finance Committee has met several times in the last few months to review the 2013 draft budgets in preparation for this year’s recommendations.

The purpose of this review is to forecast where we expect we will need funds in the upcoming year. There is only one significant change in the budget from 2012 that I would like to highlight.

UnionOur dues revenue will be approximately $4.9 million in 2013 of which $2.6 goes to our affiliation fees leaving an operating budget of $2.3 million. We are continuing to invest in our contract negotiations, steward training, and steward development. Contract enforcement remains a priority for the local and we are confident that the amount budgeted will meet our needs.

There is a substantial increase of $50,000 in line 5460 Conventions (CUPE National and CUPE BC) due to both conventions being held out of town in 2013.

Consistent with last year’s budget, we have allocated $25,000 to the political action reserve budget line. Any funds that are contributed to a political party by a CUPE local are matched by both CUPE BC and CUPE National and can have a significant financial impact on a campaign.

SocietyWe continue to contribute to the Building Contingency Fund established in previous years. We have again budgeted for the Children’s Christmas Party and also increased the line item an extra $2,000. This event is fun for our members with small children and is one of the most popular events held during the year. We also continue to fund the bursary program which benefits our members and their dependents.

In closing, I would like to thank our Secretary Treasurer Sister Leanne Toderian for all her hard work. I would also like to thank the other two trustees, Sister Karla Mairena and Brother Kenny Brett and our Local 15 Accounting Coordinator, Brother Mark Gloumeau. Their dedication and hard work was invaluable in ensuring that the finances of the Union and Society reflect the best interests of the local.

The budgets for both the Union and Society will be presented to the general membership for approval at the November General Membership meeting on Wednesday, November 28th at the Italian Cultural Centre.

It’s Budget Time! 2013 Budget J

an 0

1 to

20

1220

13 S

ep 3

0/12

B

udge

t B

udge

t

REVE

NU

E40

10 ·

Bank

Inte

rest

3,9

99

6,0

00

5,0

00

4040

· D

ues

(1.9

5% o

f Reg

Wag

es)

3,7

24,1

86

4,7

75,0

00

4,9

20,0

00

4060

· $9

Initi

atio

n/Lo

cal 1

5 5

,427

6

,000

6

,500

40

75 ·

Don

atio

ns -

mis

cella

neou

s -

- -

4725

· Tr

ansf

er fr

om P

oliti

cal A

ctio

n Re

serv

e -

5,0

00

25,

000

Tota

l · R

even

ue 3

,733

,612

4

,792

,000

4

,956

,500

TRA

NSF

ERS

TO R

ESER

VES

5025

· Tr

ansf

er to

Pol

itica

l Act

ion

Rese

rve

25,

000

25,

000

25,

000

Tota

l · T

rans

fers

to R

eser

ves

25,

000

25,

000

25,

000

EXPE

ND

ITU

RES

· Affi

liatio

n Co

sts

5001

· C

UPE

BC

(.14

% R

eg W

ages

) 2

67,3

78

342

,820

3

53,2

31

5002

· C

UPE

Met

ro (.

007%

Reg

Wag

es)

13,

369

17,

140

17,

662

5003

· C

UPE

Nat

iona

l (.8

5% R

eg W

ages

) 1

,623

,363

2

,081

,410

2

,144

,615

50

10 ·

BC F

eder

atio

n of

Lab

our

29,

419

39,

225

41,

950

5015

· VD

LC 1

4,05

8 1

8,85

0 1

9,27

7

Tota

l · A

ffilia

tion

Cost

s 1

,947

,587

2

,499

,445

2

,576

,735

· Com

mun

ity S

uppo

rt50

51 ·

Com

mun

ity D

onat

ions

5,8

11

10,

000

10,

000

5053

· Co

mm

unity

Sup

port

- A

rts

& C

ultu

ral

- 2

,000

2

,000

50

55 ·

Labo

ur M

ovem

ent S

uppo

rt 5

,100

1

0,00

0 1

0,00

0 50

60 ·

Polit

ical

Act

ion

- 5

,000

2

5,00

0

Tota

l · C

omm

unity

Sup

port

10,

911

27,

000

47,

000

· Con

trac

t Enf

orce

men

t51

00 ·

Cont

ract

Enf

orce

men

t 4

2,47

2 1

00,0

00

100

,000

Tota

l · C

ontr

act E

nfor

cem

ent

42,

472

100

,000

1

00,0

00

· Neg

otia

tions

5200

· N

egot

iatio

ns

112

,024

1

20,0

00

105

,000

52

90 ·

Cont

ract

Prin

ting

2,1

07

10,

000

10,

000

Tota

l · N

egot

iatio

ns 1

14,1

31

130

,000

1

15,0

00

· Exe

cutiv

e &

Com

mitt

ee

Cost

s53

05 ·

Uni

on P

rom

otio

n 4

20

7,0

00

7,0

00

5345

· Ex

ecut

ive

- Boo

k off

11,

226

20,

000

20,

000

5350

· Ex

ecut

ive

- Gen

eral

8,3

82

15,

000

15,

000

5352

· Ex

ecut

ive

- Com

mun

icat

ion

3,8

55

9,0

00

9,0

00

5355

· Fi

ghtb

ack

Cam

paig

ns -

20,

000

20,

000

5360

· Fi

nanc

e Co

mm

ittee

529

2

,000

2

,000

54

70 ·

Grie

vanc

e Co

mm

ittee

- 5

00

500

53

80 ·

OH

&S

Com

mitt

ee -

5,0

00

5,0

00

5385

· O

ther

Com

mitt

ees

1,3

98

2,0

00

2,0

00

5390

· St

aff A

dvis

ory

Com

mitt

ee -

15,

000

35,

000

5395

· U

nion

Edu

catio

n Co

mm

ittee

312

6

,000

6

,000

Tota

l · E

xecu

tive

&

Com

mitt

ee C

osts

26,

122

101

,500

1

21,5

00

· Mem

ber I

nfo

& M

eetin

gs54

55 ·

Conf

eren

ces

- Mun

icip

al a

nd A

CCC

11,

558

11,

000

12,

000

5457

· Co

nfer

ence

s/Co

urse

s - E

d C

mte

/Exe

c 1

1,36

3 3

0,00

0 3

0,00

0 54

60 ·

Conv

entio

ns -

CU

PE N

at/C

UPE

BC

29,

208

30,

000

80,

000

5462

· Co

nven

tions

- C

LC/B

C F

ed -

20,

000

20,

000

5470

· G

ener

al M

embe

rshi

p M

eetin

gs 9

,157

1

2,00

0 1

2,00

0 54

72 ·

Mem

bers

Rec

ogni

tion

- pin

s -

1,0

00

500

54

75 ·

Mem

bers

’ Voi

ce P

rintin

g &

Pos

tage

60,

608

81,

500

82,

000

5480

· W

ebsi

te M

aint

enan

ce 5

,308

7

,000

7

,000

54

85 ·

Com

mun

icat

ions

- 1

5,00

0 1

5,00

0

Tota

l · M

embe

r Inf

o &

M

eetin

gs 1

27,2

02

207

,500

2

58,5

00

· Sho

p St

ewar

d Co

sts

5505

· A

ctiv

ist T

rain

ing

Wee

kend

5,0

00

40,

000

30,

000

5515

· C

hief

Sho

p St

ewar

ds 4

,841

1

5,00

0 1

5,00

0 55

60 ·

Orie

ntat

ions

/In-

tow

n Co

urse

s 1

,945

2

0,00

0 2

0,00

0 55

65 ·

Out

-of-

tow

n Co

urse

s 2

7,00

2 4

3,25

0 4

5,00

0 55

67 ·

Shop

Ste

war

ds -

Book

Off

25,

634

60,

000

60,

000

5570

· Sh

op S

tew

ards

- G

ener

al

4,8

36

15,

000

15,

000

Tota

l · S

hop

Stew

ard

Cost

s 6

9,25

8 1

93,2

50

185

,000

· Sec

reta

ry-T

reas

urer

Cos

ts56

10 ·

Secr

etar

y-Tr

easu

rer

Wag

es 5

1,08

5 7

2,67

5 7

4,13

0 56

20 ·

Secr

etar

y-Tr

easu

rer B

enefi

ts 1

1,00

6 1

4,53

5 1

4,82

5 56

30 ·

Tran

spor

tatio

n 2

48

500

5

00

Tota

l · S

ecre

tary

-Tre

asur

er

Cost

s 6

2,33

9 8

7,71

0 8

9,45

5

· Pre

side

nt C

osts

5660

· Pr

esid

ent

Wag

es 5

1,08

5 7

2,67

5 7

4,13

0 56

70 ·

Pres

iden

t Ben

efits

11,

006

14,

535

14,

825

5675

· Tr

ansp

orta

tion

212

5

00

500

Tota

l · P

resi

dent

Cos

ts 6

2,30

3 8

7,71

0 8

9,45

5

· Fie

ld S

taff

Cos

ts57

04 ·

Car A

llow

ance

- Pe

rman

ent R

eps

22,

444

31,

825

32,

500

5710

· Fi

eld

Staff

Car

s - G

as, M

aint

& In

s 1

8,80

2 2

4,50

0 2

4,50

0 57

15 ·

Fiel

d St

aff S

alar

ies

244

,373

3

35,4

00

335

,400

57

20 ·

Fiel

d St

aff T

rain

ing

3,7

24

3,0

00

3,0

00

5725

· Te

mp

Fiel

d St

aff (i

ncl b

en in

lieu

) 8

,724

2

5,00

0 2

5,00

0 57

30 ·

Tem

p Fi

eld

Staff

- Tr

ansp

orta

tion

103

2

,500

2

,500

Tota

l · F

ield

Sta

ff C

osts

298

,170

4

22,2

25

422

,900

· Cle

rical

Sta

ff C

osts

5755

· A

ccou

ntin

g Co

ordi

nato

r Sal

ary

44,

854

61,

600

61,

600

5760

· A

cctg

- Te

mp

(incl

ben

in li

eu)

2,2

86

6,0

00

6,5

00

5775

· C

leric

al S

alar

ies

131

,790

1

78,2

00

178

,200

57

80 ·

Cle

rical

Tra

inin

g 3

70

3,0

00

3,0

00

5785

· Te

mp

Cle

rical

(inc

l ben

in li

eu)

25,

043

25,

000

45,

000

Tota

l · C

leric

al S

taff

Cos

ts 2

04,3

43

273

,800

2

94,3

00

· Bui

ldin

g M

aint

enan

ce

Wor

ker C

osts

5805

· Bl

dg M

aint

Wor

ker S

alar

y 2

5,17

3 3

4,00

0 3

4,00

0 58

10 ·

Tem

p BM

W (i

ncl b

en in

lieu

) 6

,449

8

,000

8

,000

Tota

l · B

uild

ing

Mai

nten

ance

W

orke

r Cos

ts 3

1,62

2 4

2,00

0 4

2,00

0

· Sta

ff B

enefi

ts59

05 ·

CPP

19,

599

25,

000

25,

000

5910

· EI

9,5

59

10,

500

10,

500

5915

· Em

ploy

ee A

ssis

tanc

e Pr

ogra

m -

2,0

00

2,0

00

5920

· G

roup

Insu

ranc

e 4

,985

7

,000

7

,000

59

30 ·

Med

ical

/Ext

ende

d H

ealth

/Den

tal

49,

779

55,

000

60,

000

5935

· M

unic

ipal

Pen

sion

Pla

n 4

1,17

1 5

8,75

0 5

8,75

0 59

40 ·

Retir

emen

t Pro

visi

on 2

9,77

9 2

3,75

0 1

0,00

0 59

45 ·

VESP

Sav

ings

9,4

01

12,

750

12,

500

5950

· W

CB

948

2

,750

2

,750

Tota

l · S

taff

Ben

efits

165

,221

1

97,5

00

188

,500

· Offi

ce &

Adm

in C

osts

6005

· A

udit

Fees

- 1

2,75

0 1

2,85

0 60

10 ·

Bank

Cha

rges

and

Fee

s 2

,071

2

,800

2

,800

60

13.

Book

s &

Pub

licat

ions

9,8

83

12,

500

12,

500

6020

· Fa

cilit

y Fe

es 1

05,7

50

141

,000

1

44,0

00

6025

· Ce

llula

r 5

,491

6

,150

6

,150

60

35 ·

Equi

pmen

t & F

urni

ture

Lea

se 1

14,7

50

153

,000

1

53,0

00

6045

· Po

stag

e &

Cou

rier

12,

559

22,

000

22,

000

6050

· St

atio

nery

/Offi

ce S

uppl

ies

14,

672

23,

000

23,

000

6055

· Te

leph

one,

Inte

rnet

8,4

78

12,

000

12,

750

6060

· IT

Ser

vice

/Sup

port

8,7

05

12,

000

12,

000

Tota

l · O

ffice

& A

dmin

Cos

ts 2

82,3

59

397

,200

4

01,0

50

Tota

l Exp

endi

ture

s 3

,469

,040

4

,791

,840

4

,956

,395

Surp

lus/

(Defi

cit)

264

,572

1

60

105

CUPE

LO

CAL

15 -

VMEC

WPr

opos

ed B

udge

t 201

3Budget


NO

VEM

BER

2012


Jan

01 to

20

1220

13 S

ep 3

0/12

B

udge

t B

udge

t RE

VEN

UE

705

· Ban

k In

tere

st 7

72

500

5

00

710

· Inv

estm

ent I

nter

est

13,

943

26,

000

25,

000

715

· Fur

nitu

re &

Equ

ipm

ent L

ease

114

,750

1

53,0

00

153

,000

72

0 · F

acili

ty F

ees

- Uni

on 1

05,7

50

141

,000

1

44,0

00

725

· Fac

ility

Fee

s - C

UPE

Loc

al 3

91 4

,770

6

,360

6

,480

72

7 · T

rans

fer -

Hea

lth M

embe

rs 1

2,23

3 -

- 73

5 · D

onat

ions

- M

isce

llane

ous

400

4

00

400

To

tal ·

Rev

enue

252

,618

3

27,2

60

329

,380

TR

AN

SFER

S TO

RES

ERVE

S81

0 · B

uild

ing

Fund

30,

000

30,

000

30,

000

815

· Con

tinge

ncy

Rese

rve

Fund

30,

000

30,

000

30,

000

Tota

l · T

rans

fers

to R

eser

ves

60,

000

60,

000

60,

000

EXPE

ND

ITU

RES

· Bui

ldin

g82

0 · I

nsur

ance

- B

uild

ing

& O

ffice

rs 1

7,52

4 2

5,00

0 2

5,00

0 82

5 · M

aint

enan

ce -

Build

ing

9,0

53

10,

000

12,

000

830

· Sup

plie

s - B

uild

ing

1,3

27

3,0

00

3,0

00

835

· Tax

es -

Build

ing

40,

915

36,

000

42,

000

840

· Util

ities

10,

451

18,

000

18,

000

Tota

l · B

uild

ing

79,

270

92,

000

100

,000

· L

ease

s &

Mem

ber S

ervi

ces

905

· Lea

se A

ddre

ssin

g Sy

stem

- 7

,500

7

,000

90

8 · L

ease

Fax

Mac

hine

157

6

00

600

91

0 · L

ease

Mai

l Mac

hine

3,4

30

7,0

00

7,0

00

915

· Lea

se P

hoto

copi

er 1

4,81

4 1

8,30

0 2

0,00

0 92

0 · L

ease

Pho

ne S

yste

m 4

,540

8

,000

8

,000

94

0 · B

ursa

ries

18,

208

25,

000

25,

000

945

· Chi

ldre

n’s

Chris

tmas

Par

ty -

10,

000

12,

000

955

· Dep

reci

atio

n Ex

pens

e -

15,

000

15,

000

960

· Don

atio

ns &

Sup

port

to M

embe

rs 1

50

5,0

00

5,0

00

965

· Flo

wer

s/Fr

uit B

aske

ts 2

,789

3

,000

3

,500

97

5 · M

aint

enan

ce -

App

/Equ

ipm

ent

5,3

95

7,0

00

7,2

50

980

· Mem

bers

Act

iviti

es 9

91

5,0

00

5,0

00

985

· Mem

bers

Ser

vice

s 2

5 1

5,00

0 1

0,00

0 99

0 · M

embe

r Sic

k Co

ntin

uanc

e 8

,596

3

0,00

0 2

5,00

0 99

5 · P

rofe

ssio

nal D

evel

opm

ent -

Hea

lth 1

2,23

3 -

- To

tal ·

Lea

ses

& M

embe

r Ser

vice

s 7

1,32

8 1

56,4

00

150

,350

· G

ener

al85

5 · A

udit

Fees

- 3

,750

3

,800

86

0 · B

ank

Char

ges

& F

ees

294

5

00

500

87

0 · D

onat

ions

to C

hris

tmas

Hou

ses

- 4

,500

4

,500

87

5 · F

iling

Fee

- So

ciet

y 2

5 2

5 2

5 88

0 · L

oans

Con

tinge

ncy

- 1

0,00

0 1

0,00

0

Tota

l · G

ener

al 3

19

18,

775

18,

825

Tota

l · E

xpen

ditu

res

210

,917

3

27,1

75

329

,175

SURP

LUS/

(DEF

ICIT

) 4

1,70

1 8

5 2

05

Jan

01

to

2012

2013

Sep

30/

12

Bud

get

Bud

get

REVE

NU

E40

10 ·

Bank

Inte

rest

3,9

99

6,0

00

5,0

00

4040

· D

ues

(1.9

5% o

f Reg

Wag

es)

3,7

24,1

86

4,7

75,0

00

4,9

20,0

00

4060

· $9

Initi

atio

n/Lo

cal 1

5 5

,427

6

,000

6

,500

40

75 ·

Don

atio

ns -

mis

cella

neou

s -

- -

4725

· Tr

ansf

er fr

om P

oliti

cal A

ctio

n Re

serv

e -

5,0

00

25,

000

Tota

l · R

even

ue 3

,733

,612

4

,792

,000

4

,956

,500

TRA

NSF

ERS

TO R

ESER

VES

5025

· Tr

ansf

er to

Pol

itica

l Act

ion

Rese

rve

25,

000

25,

000

25,

000

Tota

l · T

rans

fers

to R

eser

ves

25,

000

25,

000

25,

000

EXPE

ND

ITU

RES

· Affi

liatio

n Co

sts

5001

· C

UPE

BC

(.14

% R

eg W

ages

) 2

67,3

78

342

,820

3

53,2

31

5002

· C

UPE

Met

ro (.

007%

Reg

Wag

es)

13,

369

17,

140

17,

662

5003

· C

UPE

Nat

iona

l (.8

5% R

eg W

ages

) 1

,623

,363

2

,081

,410

2

,144

,615

50

10 ·

BC F

eder

atio

n of

Lab

our

29,

419

39,

225

41,

950

5015

· VD

LC 1

4,05

8 1

8,85

0 1

9,27

7

Tota

l · A

ffilia

tion

Cost

s 1

,947

,587

2

,499

,445

2

,576

,735

· Com

mun

ity S

uppo

rt50

51 ·

Com

mun

ity D

onat

ions

5,8

11

10,

000

10,

000

5053

· Co

mm

unity

Sup

port

- A

rts

& C

ultu

ral

- 2

,000

2

,000

50

55 ·

Labo

ur M

ovem

ent S

uppo

rt 5

,100

1

0,00

0 1

0,00

0 50

60 ·

Polit

ical

Act

ion

- 5

,000

2

5,00

0

Tota

l · C

omm

unity

Sup

port

10,

911

27,

000

47,

000

· Con

trac

t Enf

orce

men

t51

00 ·

Cont

ract

Enf

orce

men

t 4

2,47

2 1

00,0

00

100

,000

Tota

l · C

ontr

act E

nfor

cem

ent

42,

472

100

,000

1

00,0

00

· Neg

otia

tions

5200

· N

egot

iatio

ns

112

,024

1

20,0

00

105

,000

52

90 ·

Cont

ract

Prin

ting

2,1

07

10,

000

10,

000

Tota

l · N

egot

iatio

ns 1

14,1

31

130

,000

1

15,0

00

· Exe

cutiv

e &

Com

mitt

ee

Cost

s53

05 ·

Uni

on P

rom

otio

n 4

20

7,0

00

7,0

00

5345

· Ex

ecut

ive

- Boo

k off

11,

226

20,

000

20,

000

5350

· Ex

ecut

ive

- Gen

eral

8,3

82

15,

000

15,

000

5352

· Ex

ecut

ive

- Com

mun

icat

ion

3,8

55

9,0

00

9,0

00

5355

· Fi

ghtb

ack

Cam

paig

ns -

20,

000

20,

000

5360

· Fi

nanc

e Co

mm

ittee

529

2

,000

2

,000

54

70 ·

Grie

vanc

e Co

mm

ittee

- 5

00

500

53

80 ·

OH

&S

Com

mitt

ee -

5,0

00

5,0

00

5385

· O

ther

Com

mitt

ees

1,3

98

2,0

00

2,0

00

5390

· St

aff A

dvis

ory

Com

mitt

ee -

15,

000

35,

000

5395

· U

nion

Edu

catio

n Co

mm

ittee

312

6

,000

6

,000

Tota

l · E

xecu

tive

&

Com

mitt

ee C

osts

26,

122

101

,500

1

21,5

00

· Mem

ber I

nfo

& M

eetin

gs54

55 ·

Conf

eren

ces

- Mun

icip

al a

nd A

CCC

11,

558

11,

000

12,

000

5457

· Co

nfer

ence

s/Co

urse

s - E

d C

mte

/Exe

c 1

1,36

3 3

0,00

0 3

0,00

0 54

60 ·

Conv

entio

ns -

CU

PE N

at/C

UPE

BC

29,

208

30,

000

80,

000

5462

· Co

nven

tions

- C

LC/B

C F

ed -

20,

000

20,

000

5470

· G

ener

al M

embe

rshi

p M

eetin

gs 9

,157

1

2,00

0 1

2,00

0 54

72 ·

Mem

bers

Rec

ogni

tion

- pin

s -

1,0

00

500

54

75 ·

Mem

bers

’ Voi

ce P

rintin

g &

Pos

tage

60,

608

81,

500

82,

000

5480

· W

ebsi

te M

aint

enan

ce 5

,308

7

,000

7

,000

54

85 ·

Com

mun

icat

ions

- 1

5,00

0 1

5,00

0

Tota

l · M

embe

r Inf

o &

M

eetin

gs 1

27,2

02

207

,500

2

58,5

00

· Sho

p St

ewar

d Co

sts

5505

· A

ctiv

ist T

rain

ing

Wee

kend

5,0

00

40,

000

30,

000

5515

· C

hief

Sho

p St

ewar

ds 4

,841

1

5,00

0 1

5,00

0 55

60 ·

Orie

ntat

ions

/In-

tow

n Co

urse

s 1

,945

2

0,00

0 2

0,00

0 55

65 ·

Out

-of-

tow

n Co

urse

s 2

7,00

2 4

3,25

0 4

5,00

0 55

67 ·

Shop

Ste

war

ds -

Book

Off

25,

634

60,

000

60,

000

5570

· Sh

op S

tew

ards

- G

ener

al

4,8

36

15,

000

15,

000

Tota

l · S

hop

Stew

ard

Cost

s 6

9,25

8 1

93,2

50

185

,000

· Sec

reta

ry-T

reas

urer

Cos

ts56

10 ·

Secr

etar

y-Tr

easu

rer

Wag

es 5

1,08

5 7

2,67

5 7

4,13

0 56

20 ·

Secr

etar

y-Tr

easu

rer B

enefi

ts 1

1,00

6 1

4,53

5 1

4,82

5 56

30 ·

Tran

spor

tatio

n 2

48

500

5

00

Tota

l · S

ecre

tary

-Tre

asur

er

Cost

s 6

2,33

9 8

7,71

0 8

9,45

5

· Pre

side

nt C

osts

5660

· Pr

esid

ent

Wag

es 5

1,08

5 7

2,67

5 7

4,13

0 56

70 ·

Pres

iden

t Ben

efits

11,

006

14,

535

14,

825

5675

· Tr

ansp

orta

tion

212

5

00

500

Tota

l · P

resi

dent

Cos

ts 6

2,30

3 8

7,71

0 8

9,45

5

· Fie

ld S

taff

Cos

ts57

04 ·

Car A

llow

ance

- Pe

rman

ent R

eps

22,

444

31,

825

32,

500

5710

· Fi

eld

Staff

Car

s - G

as, M

aint

& In

s 1

8,80

2 2

4,50

0 2

4,50

0 57

15 ·

Fiel

d St

aff S

alar

ies

244

,373

3

35,4

00

335

,400

57

20 ·

Fiel

d St

aff T

rain

ing

3,7

24

3,0

00

3,0

00

5725

· Te

mp

Fiel

d St

aff (i

ncl b

en in

lieu

) 8

,724

2

5,00

0 2

5,00

0 57

30 ·

Tem

p Fi

eld

Staff

- Tr

ansp

orta

tion

103

2

,500

2

,500

Tota

l · F

ield

Sta

ff C

osts

298

,170

4

22,2

25

422

,900

· Cle

rical

Sta

ff C

osts

5755

· A

ccou

ntin

g Co

ordi

nato

r Sal

ary

44,

854

61,

600

61,

600

5760

· A

cctg

- Te

mp

(incl

ben

in li

eu)

2,2

86

6,0

00

6,5

00

5775

· C

leric

al S

alar

ies

131

,790

1

78,2

00

178

,200

57

80 ·

Cle

rical

Tra

inin

g 3

70

3,0

00

3,0

00

5785

· Te

mp

Cle

rical

(inc

l ben

in li

eu)

25,

043

25,

000

45,

000

Tota

l · C

leric

al S

taff

Cos

ts 2

04,3

43

273

,800

2

94,3

00

· Bui

ldin

g M

aint

enan

ce

Wor

ker C

osts

5805

· Bl

dg M

aint

Wor

ker S

alar

y 2

5,17

3 3

4,00

0 3

4,00

0 58

10 ·

Tem

p BM

W (i

ncl b

en in

lieu

) 6

,449

8

,000

8

,000

Tota

l · B

uild

ing

Mai

nten

ance

W

orke

r Cos

ts 3

1,62

2 4

2,00

0 4

2,00

0

· Sta

ff B

enefi

ts59

05 ·

CPP

19,

599

25,

000

25,

000

5910

· EI

9,5

59

10,

500

10,

500

5915

· Em

ploy

ee A

ssis

tanc

e Pr

ogra

m -

2,0

00

2,0

00

5920

· G

roup

Insu

ranc

e 4

,985

7

,000

7

,000

59

30 ·

Med

ical

/Ext

ende

d H

ealth

/Den

tal

49,

779

55,

000

60,

000

5935

· M

unic

ipal

Pen

sion

Pla

n 4

1,17

1 5

8,75

0 5

8,75

0 59

40 ·

Retir

emen

t Pro

visi

on 2

9,77

9 2

3,75

0 1

0,00

0 59

45 ·

VESP

Sav

ings

9,4

01

12,

750

12,

500

5950

· W

CB

948

2

,750

2

,750

Tota

l · S

taff

Ben

efits

165

,221

1

97,5

00

188

,500

· Offi

ce &

Adm

in C

osts

6005

· A

udit

Fees

- 1

2,75

0 1

2,85

0 60

10 ·

Bank

Cha

rges

and

Fee

s 2

,071

2

,800

2

,800

60

13.

Book

s &

Pub

licat

ions

9,8

83

12,

500

12,

500

6020

· Fa

cilit

y Fe

es 1

05,7

50

141

,000

1

44,0

00

6025

· Ce

llula

r 5

,491

6

,150

6

,150

60

35 ·

Equi

pmen

t & F

urni

ture

Lea

se 1

14,7

50

153

,000

1

53,0

00

6045

· Po

stag

e &

Cou

rier

12,

559

22,

000

22,

000

6050

· St

atio

nery

/Offi

ce S

uppl

ies

14,

672

23,

000

23,

000

6055

· Te

leph

one,

Inte

rnet

8,4

78

12,

000

12,

750

6060

· IT

Ser

vice

/Sup

port

8,7

05

12,

000

12,

000

Tota

l · O

ffice

& A

dmin

Cos

ts 2

82,3

59

397

,200

4

01,0

50

Tota

l Exp

endi

ture

s 3

,469

,040

4

,791

,840

4

,956

,395

Surp

lus/

(Defi

cit)

264

,572

1

60

105

VMEC

W S

ocie

ty -

Prop

osed

Bud

get 2

013

Budget


VEM

BER

2012

6


by Tony Zullo, City Sector Representative

Hi brothers and sisters. My name is Antonio Zullo. I am the newly elected City Sector Representative and I would like to thank the membership for showing confidence in me by voting me in.

I am the son of immigrant parents. My mom was a factory worker in the mid 1960s. The workload was so overwhelming that she and her co-workers would miss lunch so they could meet quota. If the workers, who were mainly immigrants, did not meet quota their chances of working the next day were slim to none. That was in 1965. Surely that could not happen today. Guess again.

September 20, 2012 - In the Brooks Alberta XL Foods Meat Plant, where the workers are also mainly immigrants, the workload increased from 3,200 cattle to 4,000 cattle a day. The workers could not keep up with this increase so shortcuts were taken and safety was compromised. This resulted in the biggest beef recall in Canadian history. How does this relate to The City of Vancouver you ask?

September 10, 2012 – I believe that due to budgetary cuts the workload at Manitoba Yard has increased substantially. I understand that the overhead garage doors used to be inspected on a monthly basis but due to the cuts the doors were last inspected six months prior to two workers being injured, one almost fatally.

Most departments within the City of Vancouver have seen workload increases anywhere from five to twenty percent making it hard for workers to keep up. In certain departments workers may be skipping their breaks to get the job done because they fear repercussions. These workers work in a fear based environment. Maybe the incident at Manitoba Yard should be a wake-up call. As union brothers and sisters let’s not cut corners and compromise safety.

Let’s be careful - this is a ticking time bomb waiting to go off!

Increased Workload Raises Red Flags

by Justin Schmid, National Representative

A member in the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association component of Local 15 was successful in appealing her long term disability claim. The union assisted her in appealing continuance of her claim which was denied in May of 2011.

Despite repeated submissions of further medical information, Great-West Life continued to deny

her appeal, forcing her into financial difficulties. The claim was submitted to the claims review committee, an arbitration-like process involving a panel of three doctors who reviewed her medical information and ultimately accepted her claim.

The member wanted to express her appreciation of the assistance of the local and the support she received from the union.

Successful LTD Appeal

The CUPE BC K-12 Presidents’ Council Bargaining Subcommittee has completed its first week of provincial bargaining. The Subcommittee met for five consecutive days with the BC Public School Employers’ Association in downtown Vancouver.

Committee chair Colin Pawson reports initial indications that BCPSEA seems interested in keeping the negotiations moving. To facilitate that process, the Council Subcommittee and BCPSEA have extended negotiation dates from three days later this month to seven days in a row – Nov. 19-25.

Bargaining Subcommittee members take to the picket line on their lunch break Wednesday. They joined 200 striking CUPE university and college workers and supporters at a rally in Vancouver.

CUPE BC K-12 coordinator Bill Pegler points out that the startup to this round of talks has been much smoother now that the provincial table is well established.

In keeping with our mandated goal of improving our member benefits, the two sides agreed this week to explore health plan benefits standardization.

Your Subcommittee has presented proposals for a two-year agreement with long overdue wage increases and, where needed, provincial funding for wage regionalization and internal equity. We are also pressing job security proposals, school calendar discussions and contracting in. Also on the agenda is Municipal Pension Plan enrolment and enhanced recognition for Education Assistants.

CUPE National President Paul Moist visited the Subcommittee this week to discuss the negotiations and to pledge CUPE’s support from across the country. Moist discussed tactics and issues from other K-12 sectors in other provinces.Updates are available at bcschools.cupe.ca or on twitter at @CUPEbcschools

Provincial Bargaining well underway

News

CUPE, forum partners call for federal infrastructure planby CUPE National

The federal government must make municipal infrastructure a top priority in the next budget; protecting and strengthening the public infrastructure that drives the Canadian economy. That’s the message from CUPE and its partners from the Municipal Infrastructure Forum (MIF), who today unveiled their shared principals of what needs to be in a federal infrastructure plan.

“Our partners in the Forum represent a broad spectrum all agreeing on the vital role infrastructure plays in our national economy,” said Paul Moist, national president of CUPE, who worked with the MIF on the union’s behalf. “With the current federal funding set to run out in 2014, the next federal budget must have a clear long-term plan for stable and dependable funding for municipal infrastructure needs.”

Started in February 2012, the MIF brought together representatives of labour, local and municipal governments, business leaders, and professional associations to share information and exchange ideas on solving Canada’s infrastructure challenges.

The Forum members agreed growing gaps in infrastructure investments are hurting the Canadian economy, and we need national leadership is needed to rebuild and secure the country’s vital public infrastructure.

“This Forum clearly shows we can all work together – across the public and private sector – to make sure future generations can keep benefiting from the roads, community centres, water and waste water systems, and bridges that drive our economy,” said Moist. “By investing in public services and infrastructure that can be accessed equally, we can help ensure a better life for all Canadians.”

CUPE 15 Vancouver School Baord Bargaining Committee mapping out negotiations


NO

VEM

BER

2012


The Health Science Professionals’ Bargaining Association, which includes CUPE health science professionals, is calling for the withdrawal of a province-wide policy that threatens to fire health science professionals who refuse to declare whether they have been vaccinated against seasonal flu.

The bargaining associations’ grievance of the policy calls on HEABC to declare the policy is not in force and effect. In addition to the associations’ opinion that the policy breaches the collective agreement, the unions argue the policy violates members’ privacy rights, and rights guaranteed under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

The Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association represents over 17,000 health science professionals, including 500 CUPE member represented by CUPE Locals 15, 1978, and 4816.

HSPBA challenges flu shot policy

Submitted by Sister Manjit Athwal, Langara College

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the CUPE Local 15 for selecting me to attend the 11th National Health and Safety Conference in Ottawa, Ontario from October 12-14, 2012. This was my first time attending a conference as a Health and Safety Representative. I have been on the Health and Safety Committee at Langara College for the past seven years and a shop steward for the past three years.

There were 500 delegates from CUPE locals across Canada at the convention. It was announced that out of the 500 delegates, fifty percent were there for the first time. The agenda on Friday, October 12 began with a welcome to the delegates and introductions and included an Aboriginal Greeting from Elder Thomas Louttit and a welcome from CUPE National President Paul Moist. In his opening remarks, Paul told us there is a saying that “an injury to one is an injury to all.”

The keynote speaker on Friday was Dr. Linda Rae Murray from Chicago, Illinois. She gave a very engaging speech. She recognized CUPE for its creation of the National Day of Mourning in 1984 (April 28) for workers killed or injured on the job. Also, during her presentation I learned there is now legislation that states the employer can be charged if their employee is killed on the job. She also mentioned that in the last decade the number of workers killed on the job has slowly risen. Dr. Murray believes in order to stop this backward slide, we need to be more active and organize others to be more active. She feels it is important to have workshops so workers are given the tools to organize other workers and neighbours. She also said that as public sector workers, we fight for our rights and in fact we are really fighting for our bosses and the people. She stated that having power in the workplace creates health and safety committees. A prominent quote from Dr. Murray’s speech was: “that when you leave this conference go home and organize. Brothers and Sisters we must not fail, we are fighting for our lives”.

After, the speech each delegate attended their chosen workshop for the afternoon. My first workshop was Hit the Refresh Button-Activate Our Health and Safety Rights. The workshop was about understanding the obstacles that inhibit activism in health and safety. We heard personal stories and experiences and talked about the resources and information available to the health and safety activists. Also, we talked about what the word “activism” means to us (some of the responses were participation, inform members, leadership, educate, mentoring, dedication, vocal, motivation, passion, no fear, and receptive to communication). Also, as an activist we need to educate, make recommendations, inspect work sites, confirm that the employer fulfills their requirements and ensure regulations are followed.

On Saturday, October 13 the theme for the morning was “Celebrating our Successes”. It was mentioned that this was the first ever CUPE Health and Safety Conference to include the environment as one of the prominent themes. The four major achievements mentioned were the National Day of Mourning (which now is observed in over 25 countries worldwide), legislation protection for the worker, success of environmental activism in the workplace, and the elimination and banning of asbestos in the workplace. This was followed by a “Town Hall” panel. The panel had a discussion on the challenges we face in today’s world. Some examples are weakness in the enforcing the rules (enforcement is the key!), the fear of losing our jobs and our work schedules (i.e. shift work,

in which unusual hours can be dangerous to our mental and physical health).

After the panel discussion, the delegates went to their second chosen workshop. My workshop was named the Psychosocial and Mental Health and Work Organization. We discussed how to spot signs of problems, how to find its root cause and eventually how to solve it. The participants looked at the psychosocial hazards that can be the potential source of mental harm to the worker. This workshop was presented

using power point and we were told it is also available on the CUPE National website.

On Sunday, October 14 the delegates met with their own provincial activists. The purpose was to develop concrete actionable items for BC and to develop the implementation process. Some of the ideas put forward were the training for health and safety committee members, (including documenting and reporting of the injuries and near misses), recruiting younger members, negotiating better language in the collective agreement, having a health and safety representative on bargaining committees, membership education, better communication, and increased sharing of success stories. Two great ideas put forward were that there should be a mandatory health and safety course taught in high schools in BC to all students and all CUPE members should take the eight hour health and safety training course.

In closing, thank you again for giving me the opportunity to attend my very first health and safety conference. I believe we should advocate for all citizens and not just our fellow CUPE members because health and safety issues affect people inside and outside of a workplace. I feel we should be active, committed, and willing to encourage others to become more involved in the health and safety of their workplace.

Defending our workplace, our environment, our health:11th National Health and Safety Conference

Also, as an activist we need to educate, make recommendations, inspect work sites, confirm that the employer fulfills their requirements and ensure regulations are followed.

News


VEM

BER

2012

8


Events & Credits

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 protected]: 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, the Vancouver & District Labour Council, and the BC Federation of Labour. 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, Tony ZulloCollege/University: Reba Noel, Emma Somers Cultural: Matthew QuiringHealth/HSSCBA: Patricia Taylor Health/HSPBA: Chris LositoParks: Barb Dickinson, Brenda CoombsK-12: Peggy Wong, Warren Williams

Trustees:Michele Alexander, Kenny Brett, Karla Mairena

Staff Representatives:Kathie Currie, John Geppert, Graeme Moore

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

Building Maintenance:Jeff Zaharia

CUPE National Representatives:Justin Schmid, Susan Zander, Kevin Tilley (Legal Representative)

Designed by talkingdog.ca UFCW1518

Tickets will be offered in half hour slots from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Up to four tickets will be available to members with children 12 and under. Please note that tickets are for one parent and children of Local 15 members only.

CUPE Local 15 has secured 600 tickets. These will be available for pick up on a first come first served basis at the November 28th General Membership Meeting from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. and at the union office on November 29th and 30th from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. only. Please do not call the union office to reserve tickets. Tickets will not be available the day of the event. Your union card will be required as ID.

At the time of ticket pick up we will add your name to our list which will be cross referenced at the event when you bring your children for their hot chocolate and treat. You will need to show your train tickets. Look for our CUPE 15 flag! Thank you for your interest and cooperation.The Train Committee

Children’s Christmas Train at Stanley Park Saturday, December 8, 2012

positions made vacant by leaves, vacations or other absences. These practices are seen by workers as contributing to workload intensification and stress.

· Two-thirds of clerical workers report performing unpaid work on their jobs. However, actual amounts performed were fairly modest for most. More than half said they did less than half an hour of unpaid work per week. The average weekly amount of unpaid work for everyone participating in the survey was 24 minutes while, for the subgroup reporting actual performance of unpaid work, the weekly average came to 43 minutes.

· Although most clerical workers involved with the survey report positive job satisfaction, stress and health-related impacts are evident amongst a significant proportion. Over half said they had had

difficulty with either stress or work-related fatigue. Significant numbers also reported work-related headaches, anxiety and sleep disruption. The primary sources of stress cited by workers were constant interruptions in work, accelerated work paces and workplace noise. Apart from stress, the most common and tangible adverse health effects identified were neck and shoulder pain.

· The survey also canvassed a range of ergonomic issues. It found that knowledge of ergonomics was uneven and that many workers were in the dark about efforts that may have been undertaken in their workplaces in the past to either measure ergonomic variables or to address ergonomic stresses. Many clerical workers reported long stretches of time spent sitting or at computer terminals although most indicated taking breaks or getting up and moving around to alleviate symptoms of ergonomic stress.

Rally for healthcare

VANCOUVER—Hundreds rallied in support of health care workers last Wednesday afternoon and sent a strong message to Christy Clark and the BC Liberals: “health care workers deserve a fair deal too!”

The rally was held for the 70,000 BC health workers who are still without a contract and have been without one for more than ten months now. Both CUPE BC president Barry O’Neill and CUPE National president Paul Moist attended the rally to show their support for the 1,000 CUPE workers in the health sector.

CUPE Health Coordinator Justin Schmid says that health care workers are looking for the same deal that many other public sector workers have already received.

“We’re seeking a fair and reasonable deal with no concessions,” says Schmid. “It was very apparent at the rally that workers in this sector are prepared to stand up to the Liberals to achieve a fair contract.” Schmid says that the CBA has taken a successful strike vote and HSBPA is in the midst of taking a strike vote.

Preparations continue through this week setting up the strike headquarters and organizing picketing plans. The Union will provide 72 hours notice of picketing to the employer and members should job action be necessary.

CUPE represents approximately 1,000 members who are part of two bargaining associations- the CBA and HSPBA. Other unions involved in these bargaining associations include BCGEU, UFCW, HEU, HSA USWA and PEA.

con’t from page 1

cupe15-issue39

Documents