CLEANING STAFF RATIFY NEW THREE YEAR DEAL

About 100 employees of Compass Group Canada, who work at the V.G. Hospital, have signed a new three-year deal with several improvements and no concessions.  The deal includes wage increases of 2.9% in each year and is retroactive to June, 2008; significant raises for new hires as well as a shortened period to reach full wages; increases to sick leave and bereavement clauses; two floating holidays a year and seniority bonus.  Part time employees were only eligible for single medical coverage; but will now receive 100% coverage for a family medical plan.

 

 

                     NATIONAL BARGAINING WOMEN'S EQUALITY CONFERENCE

The National Bargaining Women's Equality Conference was held in Montreal from February 10th to 13th.  On Tuesday, the keynote address was given by Gloria Mills who is from the largest union in the United Kingdom.  A panel presentation on strategies to make women’s' issues bargaining priorities, was given by Judy Darcy, Darline Raymond and Armine Yalnizyan.

 

                     SOLIDARITY ACTION CONFERENCE

A Solidarity action Conference was held on February 27th and 28th at the Harbouriew Holiday Inn in Dartmouth with approximately sixty delegates participating.  The Conference held courses on Pension and Occupational Health & Safety.

 
 NATIONAL SCHOOL BOARD CONFERENCE

The first National School Board Conference was held in Regina from March 2nd to 4th with 276 delegates in attendance.  Barbara Coloroso, an internationally recognized author, was a keynote speaker.  She told the enthusiastic delegates that CUPE school board workers play an important role in the education process.  Brother Paul Moist addressed the delegates and stated that school board workers were the fastest growing sector in the union.

 

 

    HALIFAX MEDIA CO-OP

During the month of February, five organizers from the Dominion News Cooperative were looking for support for a Local outlet of the Media Co-op in Halifax.  This will be a member-funded media cooperative that combines participatory, democratically produced media with professional standards.  The approach combines community organizing, online collaboration to create a financially sustainable, independent, member-run news organization.

 

    NOVA SCOTIA SCHOOL BOARD COUNCIL OF UNIONS

All School board Locals associated with the Council of Unions are in negotiations.  The Nova Scotia School Board Council of Unions will hold a sector meeting at CUPE Nova Scotia Convention on Sunday, April 26th at 1:30 p.m.

 

 

    GLOBAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE REPORT FOR CUPE NOVA SCOTIA
  AND CUPE NATIONAL AS SUBMITTED BY SISTER BARB MOORE

The new Global Justice Committee for CUPENS has had some bumps in the road getting our committee off the ground.  Two members had to resign the work of the committee and illness plagued others.  Still on the committee are Sister Mae Smith, Brother Chris Rawding, Brother Steve Blackmore and myself, as liaison and the first face to face Global Justice Committee meeting will be held on March 21 in Truro at the Best Western Glengarry to plan for future actions for the committee and prepare for the upcoming division convention. 

 

Top on the list of things to do will be to consider a proposal advanced from CUPE 4400 at Carlton University, to co-host a tour for union leaders from the Philippines in May 2009 who has been fighting against privatization in their country.  There is interest from CUPE NB, CUPE PEI and CUPE NFLD/LAB to share in the co-hosting of this tour. 

 

At the National Global Justice Committee level, the committee welcomed Rhonda Spence, the new Senior Officer for International Solidarity who replaces recent retiree Ron Verzuh.  Rhonda has loads of experience in international development as she has worked with CUPEBC for many years as director of CO-DEV.  The most recent Global Justice Committee meeting was held at the end of Feb. 2009 where projects were approved such as:  Defending Human Rights in the Philippines; Building the Capacity of Human Rights Defenders from Burma; assisting our sister union in South Africa (SAMWU) THE South Africa Municipal Workers’ Union build programs for recruiting women, and in particular, women working in the private sector; continuing labour support for unions in Cuba; supporting women’s maquilla industries and unionism in Nicaragua and Honduras; continuing our support for NOMADESC in Colombia by funding the human rights training programs to empower workers and build leadership capacity; working closely with PSAC,NUPGE, CUPW and the CLC to oppose the Canada Colombia Free Trade Agreement and distributing thousands of the CLC comic on the free trade agreement. 

 

The CLC is bringing Senator Robledo (a progressive politician from Colombia) to Canada at the end of March.  He will be part of the Canadian Centre for International Cooperation’s Roundtable on the America’s and we hope he will have time for touring in the Atlantic area.  The Committee will be working again with OXFAM at this year’ Division Conventions and a Global Justice table will be at every convention.  We have developed the campaign ‘Footprints for Change’ that connects our work for global justice to our support of public services, public water and taking positive action on climate change.  An informative educational session on Palestine was the highlight of the meeting.  The discussion was led by Paul Tetrault who authored and published “The Wall Must Fall” document for CUPE BC.  The committee is committed to advancing more educationals on this topic to divisions in future for a better understanding of the conflict called Palestine Gaza Israel.

 

 

    WHY CANADA NEEDS A COALITION GOVERNMENT

Canada doesn’t need another election right now.  This is no time to play politics.  We need a major public investment program right now to protect jobs and Mr. Harper isn’t prepared to do than.  In fact, he’s trying to divide Canadians rather than working with all parties for the good of everyone.  We are facing an economic crisis and our political leaders have to work together for the common good.  Working people want a coalition government and the labour movement will help them to push for one. 

 

    AREA VICE PRESIDENT REPORT FOR HALIFAX REGION
   AS SUBMITTED BY SISTER BARB MOORE

 

2009 has seen lots of labour activity for CUPE Nationally, and regionally already this year.  Youth surveys were sent out to all Locals over the Christmas holidays to find out how many youth are involved in CUPE NS and what issues they wish to prioritize to better include them in our union activities.  The survey results will be given at the upcoming division convention.

 

On February 8, there was a rally in Kentville Town Square for the three hundred plus workers from

Eastern Protein ACA Coop who have been laid off and their plant in Kentville closed.  Speaking at the rally was Dean Tupper from the Annapolis Valley and District Labour Council, Darrell Dexter from the NDP, Tony Tracy from the CLC, Rick Clarke from the NSFL and Bob Orr from the CAW.  Speakers were critical of the Labour Minister, Mark Parent, who is the current MLA of Kings North where the layoffs have taken place.  Apparently, the labour minister made disparaging remarks of unions on a local radio show recently which reveals his true agenda in that department.  The laid off workers are only asking for their overtime, vacation pay and severance pay which the ACA has

refused to hand over so far; even thought the provincial government gave the company a 1.5 million dollar loan just a few months ago. 

At the rally were CUPE Locals from Local 3912, Local 4150 and Local 2618.

 

In the second week of February, I attended the CUPE National Bargaining Women’s Equality Conference in Montreal where delegates met to study better ways to bargain for equality in their own locals.  Highlights from the conference included Gloria Mills, Keynote Speaker from UNISON, UK, who discussed how they changed their union leadership to reflect the fact that their membership is made up of 74% women.  As a result, equality wording in their collective agreements have made amazing achievements to improve working situations for all workers, but especially for women.  Another powerful speaker was Armine Yalnizyan, an economist, who identified specific problems with the recent downturn in the economy in Canada and who offered excellent advice on how to

weather the recession/depression.

 

Local 4745 was near a strike recently at the North End Day Care but a settlement has been reached achieving increases in wages.  Negotiations are continuing at other child care centres currently in the Halifax Region.  Local 2094 recently won a lawsuit regarding duty to accommodate which is currently being appealed to the Supreme Court of Canada.  They hope to hear the final decision by summer.  Local 3912 recently won an important arbitration case around seniority issues where the grieving member will be paid for three courses where she was passed over for a much junior member.  And we need to applaud Local 1687 for their initiative on publishing a new brochure entitled “Valuing Diversity” dealing with workplace violence and bullying.  The brochure urges all workplaces to develop such a concrete policy.

Finally, Louise Riley (Local 1259) reports that the Long Term Care Coordinating Committee has been meeting throughout the province over the last few weeks consulting with workers in the LTC sector.

Locals within the Halifax Region are invited to contact me with their Local news and updates at 902 542-7981 and at barb.m@ns.sympatico.ca.

 

 AREA VICE PRESIDENT REPORT FOR CAPE BRETON REGION
                AS SUBMITTED BY BROTHER TODD MACPHERSON

As we come closer to convention, I would like to take this opportunity to summarize activity for our area.  We are now approaching bargaining for two sectors of division.  The Long Term Care Sector and the School Board sector are both going through the process of local bargaining and provincial bargaining.  The locals have been very busy preparing proposals and planning strategy for this round of bargaining.  As the economic climate is turning dire with each passing day, we hope both of these sectors all the best in the face of employers reminding us of the difficulties they face.

 

In the fall of 2008, myself and executive members from other locals in the area attended a meeting facilitated by Sister Jacqui Bramwell, Equity Representative for CUPE.  The members were educated on the many equity issues that the union faces and how to deal with them.  All members were very impressed with Sister Bramwell’s presentation and through this; they will continue to raise

equity issues with their locals and employers.  Also in February, I attended the Long Term Care contract proposal presentation here in Sydney.  I was invited by Sister Louise Riley.  I must thank Sister Riley for inviting me to this because it gave me education and insight on the many issues the sector faces and I was very impressed by the work the committee did along with Brother Kelly who

is coordinator of the sector and Sister Kathy MacLeod and Brother John Evans.  I wish this committee well and know that they will succeed in their goals.

 

Many locals in the area have participated in educationals with many newer members attending.  CUPE District Council continues to meet under a new executive and new president Maureen Pickup and continue to try and affiliate new locals..  The two newer locals in our area, the Housing Workers and the Cheticamp Association for Community Living continue to educate their executive on union matters.  The Housing Workers have a new collective agreement and are developing their bylaws.  They also have recently affiliated with CUPE Nova Scotia.

 

All in all the locals have the normal level of activity, be it grievances, labour management issues or arbitrations.  I encourage all executive members of the locals to contact me if you want to find out more information on division. In conclusion, I would like to thank Sister MacLeod, Brother Evans and Sister Deleskie in the Sydney office for all your assistance throughout the year.  I would also like to thank the members of division in our area for their cooperation, encouragement and for their service to their locals in the past year and than you for the opportunity to represent them at division.

 

 

    CUPE LAUNCHES “PAY MORE-GET LESS” PROVINCE WIDE RADIO AD CAMPAIGN ON P3’S
 CUPE Nova Scotia President Danny Cavanagh says, “We will be asking residents to

remember what “P3” really means in this province.  It means P3 schools that saw taxpayers get

taken to the cleaners, the Cobequid Pass Highway which has caused nothing but grief, the Joe

Howe Building which is a $30 million lemon and more.

“We’re asking people to go to our website, www.P3Facts.ca, and take two minutes out of their day to

sign a petition urging the Premier to stop this reckless waste of taxpayer’s dollars,” he says.

    LOCAL 3372 IS BACK TO WORK
After 50 days on the picket line, cafeteria workers at Hugh John Flemming Forestry Centre in

Fredericton are back on the job as of March 26th.

  FEDERAL BUDGET 2009 AND EARLY LEARNING AND CHILD CARE
The Harper government’s lack of vision for early learning and child care fails the millions of Canadian

families who cannot afford or find quality, affordable child care spaces for their children.  Fewer than

20% of children in Canada have access to regulate child care spaces; the vast majority of children

have to do without.

Before the Conservative government came to power, Canadians were very close to achieving a

national child care program.  Instead, Stephen Harper gave us a pitiful monthly allowance – and no

new child care spaces.  Child Care centers are closing due to a lack of funding, and the profession

is losing trained staff because of low wages and poor working conditions.

A better choice would be to develop a pan-Canadian early learning and child care program.  Such a

program could deliver a framework and conditions that ensure quality, affordable, non-profit,

accessible and inclusive child care programs for parents and their children.  Child care requires

secure and adequate federal funding with legislation like Bill C303, the Early Learning and Child

Care Act, to provide universal and accountable child care system.  The Bill limits expansion of

for-profit child care, a move that protects Canada from international trade disputes and ensures the

highest quality care.

   TIME TO RE-EVALUATE USE OF PRIVATE CONTRACTORS

 

 

It’s time to re-evaluate the increased reliance on private contractors in the winter months.  Over the

last several years, the municipal workforce has decreased considerably, while the use of contractors

has increased dramatically.

CUPE NOVA SCOTIA BULLETIN APRIL, 2009

 By Mary Jessome, Communication Editor 

 

 

                CUPE NOVA SCOTIA CONVENTION

 

CUPE Nova Scotia 2009 Convention will be held from April 26th to April 29th at the Harbourview Holiday Inn, Dartmouth.

 

 

                     WORLD WATER DAY WAS MARCH 22, 2009

Sunday, March 22 was World Water Day, a day when CUPE members and allies recommitted to protecting and improving public water systems and community water resources across Nova Scotia.  CUPE Nova Scotia is taking action at the community level. The Municipality of Barrington has banned the use of bottled water in its public buildings.  CUPE Nova Scotia is working with several allies as part of our "Turn on the Tap" campaign in Nova Scotia to promote the use of public water, stop the spread of privatization, and promote the right to water and protect water resources from pollution,

trade deals and bulk exports. We have asked municipalities to stop the sale and distribution of bottled water in public municipal buildings. As a next step in our successful coalition work, CUPE is supporting the launch of a new

Council of Canadians "Blue communities" project. You can learn more and get involved at  www.canadians.org.

|  HOME  | EXECUTIVE  |  ALBUM  |  MLA'S  |  STATEMENTS  |  P3 WATCH  |  PENSIONS  |  ARCHIVES  |  BULLETINS  | 

 |  PRESS RELEASES  |  SECTORS  |

(Copyright) CUPE NS, All Rights Reserved.

To report problems with the web site please contact the webmaster, Mary Jessome

Site Design by Abbie Harvie www.webdesign-testdrive.com