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A solidarity message from Mark Hancock and Candace Rennick during Hurricane Fiona recovery

A solidarity message to CUPE members across Atlantic Canada and the Maritimes from CUPE National President Mark Hancock and CUPE National Secretary-treasurer Candace Rennick. Une message en français suivra.  Sisters, Brothers, and Friends: As the recovery from the destruction of storm Fiona begins, we are only starting to comprehend the full extent of the damages. We have seen the devastating images of homes being swept away out to sea, roofs and other debris being stripped off homes and buildings, countless powerlines damaged, and the loss of hundreds of trees that have been staples in so many communities for decades. Our hearts are with all of you in the Atlantic and Maritimes provinces and Quebec’s Îles-de-la-Madeleine. While workers from affected communities are removing debris and restoring transportation links and power lines, we want to express our support to all of you. We know that a lot of CUPE members are working … Read more…

CBRM inside workers overwhelmingly reject tentative agreement

Inside workers with Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM), represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 933, voted on September 15 to reject the tentative agreement offered by the employer. “Our members decided that improved working conditions for jailers and emergency centre workers is more important than the modest gains they would have achieved in the agreement,” said Daniel Colbourne, CUPE 933 president. “Jailers and 911 staff have been working short, under terrible conditions, for too long.” CUPE National Representative Tammy Martin said the employer’s offer included a 3 percent wage increase for jailers “but the members clearly said they want better for these employees.” Jailers at the Sydney lockup and 911 workers are asking for an adjustment to bring them up to par with their counterparts elsewhere in the province. The wage disparity has resulted in ongoing recruitment and retention issues at both facilities. “The members decided … Read more…

Web banner. Logo for the CUPE NS Long Term Care and Community Services Coordinating Committee and text: "We all deserve better" and "bargaining update.

Long term care lead table bargaining update for CUPE members – August

Download a copy of this bargaining update.  The lead table has met with the employer’s committee on April 25 and 26, May 25, June 28, July 21, and lastly on August 16. As reported in the last update, the conciliation report was filed on July 8. The May 25 financial offer was a three-year term with a 1.5% increase each year with an additional 1% on the last day of the contract (5.5% over three years) and an increase to shift and weekend premiums of 10 cents an hour each. There were no other financial proposals addressed and no ability for the employer’s committee to discuss anything financial beyond the “mandate” from the government. The offer was flatly rejected by your committee. The parties met with the assistance of conciliation on July 21. The financial offer was increased slightly to correspond with the recent civil service interest arbitration award. The … Read more…