Cape Breton University

Support staff reach tentative agreement with Cape Breton University

Support staff at Cape Breton University, members of Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 3131, are pleased to announce that the union reached a tentative agreement with their employer on Thursday, February 22, 2018. CUPE National Representative Kathy MacLeod confirmed that the deal was reached with the assistance of a conciliation officer supplied by the Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Advanced Education. No further details will be released until the agreement is presented to the members of CUPE 3131. “I would like to thank our bargaining team and union representatives for their commitment and hard work. I would also like to thank our membership for their support throughout this process,” CUPE 3131 President Darren MacKinnon. “We will now submit the tentative agreement to members for ratification.” CUPE Local 3131 represents approximately 65 members who work as administrative and support staff at Cape Breton University.

Member update for school board sector – February 15, 2018

As you are all aware the teachers (NSTU) are taking a strike vote this coming Tuesday, February 20. As I am also sure you have heard, any action that may result from this vote would indeed be an illegal action. While CUPE does and will continue to support all the unions affected by the upcoming legislation for the school board sector, we have our own plan to deal with these potential changes. We will continue to follow our plans and not follow the lead of other unions. Important dates and details  Feb 20 NSTU vote There is also an ALL UNION press conference at 10 a.m. that we encourage you to watch for information Feb 21 First possible date that NSTU could take action (be aware that NSTU is not required to take action on this date and may look at other more strategic opportunities) Feb 27 Legislature called back … Read more…

Member update on health care bargaining

Member update on health care bargaining – February 15, 2018

The Nova Scotia Council of Health Care Unions, NSHA, and IWK just completed six days of conciliation. The parties have agreed to another 11 days of bargaining over the course of the next few months. Bargaining in January and February produced some steady progress. But, the Employers also tabled some significant takeaways. The Employers made a brand-new proposal that would allow them to transfer employees anywhere they wished in the province. The Employers argued that these staff transfers could be temporary or permanent. After more than a year of bargaining, the Employers tabled their sick leave proposal. The Employers proposed placing all members of the bargaining unit into an Accumulated Sick Leave plan. This would mean taking the Short-Term illness plan from the NSGEU members who currently have it.  The Council of Unions has proposed moving all bargaining unit members into the Short-Term Illness plan with an MOA designed to … Read more…