REGINA: CUPE Local 7 bargaining committee has served written notice to the Employer and the Minister of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety that the union and the City of Regina have reached an impasse in the current round of negotiations.
CUPE takes supervisory battle to the next step
Tom Graham, President, CUPE Saskatchewan
REGINA: The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) has filed a notice of constitutional question in the cases of three employers who are attempting to unilaterally remove unionized supervisors out of the bargaining unit of their choosing.
The City of Moose Jaw, the Saskatoon Public Library, and Cypress Hills Abilities Centre are some of the first employers in the province to use new provisions under The Saskatchewan Employee Act (SEA) which allow employers to try to remove workers with supervisory duties from the bargaining unit. A fourth employer, the Regina Public Library, has applied to have similar employees removed from the bargaining unit claiming that they are managers.
“Working people have the right to belong to the union of their choosing. CUPE will fight any
employer who moves forward with attempting to exclude supervisory members with every tool in our tool box, including legal avenues,” said Tom Graham, president of CUPE Saskatchewan. “Filing a notice of constitutional question is the first step in what could be a very lengthy and expensive legal battle.”
First Annual CUPE Saskatchewan Labour Day Ride for Respect
This Labour Day, CUPE Saskatchewan is inviting members who ride motorcycle to join in the first annual Labour Day Ride for Respect on September 5, 2016. The Ride for Respect is dedicated to promote respect for workers and their rights. Participating motorcycle riders will travel between Labour Day celebrations hosted by unions in Regina and Saskatoon.
Register by August 11, 2016 to receive a free t-shirt!
View the following:
CUPE releases report on the state of long term care in Saskatchewan
REGINA: A new report from the CUPE Saskatchewan Health Care Council shows that understaffing and workload are critical issues in continuing care in this province.
“There have been many stories in the media about understaffing and the impact on residents, but this report shows the stress this is placing on workers,” said Gordon Campbell, president of the CUPE Health Care Council. “Our members care deeply about their residents and their families, but lack of frontline staff is making it hard to provide the type of care we want to.”
City of Moose Jaw moves forward with controversial plan to remove supervisors from their union
Moose Jaw — The City of Moose Jaw has filed an application with the Labour Relations Board to remove 18 members of Local 9 from the bargaining unit. It is one of the first employers in the province to aggressively seek to use new provisions under The Saskatchewan Employee Act (SEA), which came into effect earlier this year and allows employers to try to remove workers with supervisory duties from the bargaining unit.
“Their announcement is creating a lot of stress and uncertainty for our members,” said Stacey Landin, president of the local. “People are worried about job security, about their benefits and wages, and what the future holds.”
The impacted positions range from accountants to recreation staff to water and waste water staff. This move by the city comes in the middle of a very tense round of conciliation. The local has a strong strike mandate from its membership, and the city is seeking serious concessions.
Celebrate health and safety activists in your local with this certificate
Health and safety activists put in a lot of effort to make sure their colleagues go home safe at the end of a shift. Though often it goes unrecognized, this work is at the core of any strong local union.
As part of the Year of Health and Safety, CUPE has created certificates to celebrate the work of these activists. Locals can fill out the information in this online form and submit for printing. A certificate will be mailed to you, and you can present the certificate at a local event.
CUPE 4254 launches post card campaign against education cuts
Warman — CUPE Local 4254 has launched a public awareness campaign about the impacts that significant cuts to Prairie Spirit School Division will have on the quality of education and services for our children.
Prairie Spirit School Division is facing a $3 million budget shortfall, which will result in the layoff of at least 60 full time equivalent educational associates.
“These cuts mean less support in the classroom for students who are struggling. With less support for vulnerable students, all students feel the consequences,” said Grace Wudrick, president of CUPE Local 4254. “Children in Saskatchewan deserve better from their government.”
Gay-Straight Alliances in High Schools: Panel Discussion
As a result of the horrific mass shooting and unimaginable hate crime that took place in Orlando just a few days ago, LGBTQ+ communities and allies are more than ever taking the issue of creating safe spaces and continuing education efforts very seriously.
The Saskatchewan Federation of Labour is partnering with the UR Pride Centre and YWCA Regina to host a panel discussion during Regina Pride about GSAs in High Schools.
This panel event is on why Gender & Sexuality Alliances / Gay Straight Alliances are needed in high schools and how our community can drive change.
Saskatchewan has no legislation about ensuring a GSA will be established when requested by a student, and the Education Minister has to-date resisted making it law.
National Aboriginal Day BBQ!
CUPE Saskatchewan and the CUPE Saskatchewan Aboriginal Council will be hosting a free BBQ in honour of National Aboriginal Day on June 21. All are welcome for free hamburgers and hotdogs!
Date: Tuesday, June 21, 2016
Time: 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Location: Dewdney Pool Park (Dewdney Ave)
West side of 1400 Block Athol Street
REGINA, Treaty 4 Territory
Download the poster HERE and help spread the word!
CUPE Local 4195 takes action at Sask. Rivers School Board Meeting
Members and supporters of CUPE Local 4195 attended the latest Sask. Rivers Board of Education meeting to raise awareness of the impacts of their decision to lay off support staff and hire them back at reduced hours.
“This decision means that our students will lose over 8,000 hours of direct support from educational assistants. This decision means that the libraries in our schools will have two weeks less of staffing. The total impact on staffing levels will be over 11,000 lost hours for many support classifications, including social workers, office administration, language assistants, cooks, and educational assistants. This reduction will be felt in the classroom, and that is unacceptable,” said John Kunard, president of CUPE Local 4195.