“If you want to have kids, and if you want to have a job you need to have child care.”

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 MeetingMARCH

Date & Time:Location:

Under Discussion:

Wednesday, March 27, 2013, 5:30 pm, Room 5 Italian Cultural Centre, 3075 Slocan St., Vancouver • Nominations for Executive Board Elections • Bargaining Updates: Vancouver Coastal Health,

Vancouver School Board, Langara College, Emily Carr University, Langara Students’ Union, Vancouver Art Gallery

• Notices of Motion, see page 3 General Meetings provide all members with an opportunity toparticipateindecisionsthataffecttheunion.

(Childcare assistance and interpretation available upon request.) 2013

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Let’s rethink child care

CUPE 15 is very -able!Are you on Facebook? If so, come join us on ournewCUPE15FacebookPage.Youwillfindupdates, news, and the occasional photo of what we’re up to at your union. Links to local stories and like-minded folks will be posted too. Be sure to share it with your fellow members and friends!

By CUPE National

Findingaffordablelicenseddaycareisahugechallenge for parents. Child care wait lists are notoriously long and 78 per cent of Canadian children under the age of six don’t have regulated child care spaces.

The costs of child care are growing too. The average cost per child is $30-$80 a day, or over $1,000 a month per child.

In Quebec, regulated child care spaces are just seven dollars a day. We wanttohaveaffordableand accessible child care services in the rest of Canada.

A coalition of Canadian unions and child care advocates is launching a new campaign to make sure that the provision of publicandnon-profitchildcare is a priority in the 2015 federal election.

The campaign will feature a short video, accompanied by interactive “kitchen table” conversations which provide an informal space for members to talk about their personal experiences with both public and private child care centres. This campaign is designed to engage all Canadians in calling for improved child care.

You can join the campaign at rethinkchildcare.ca.

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This government is well past their expiry date

Update from your Executive

By Leanne Toderian, Secretary-Treasurer

Earlier this month, I attended a Langara membership meeting where the Bargaining Committee met to discuss taking a strike vote. The membership

felt they had waited long enough for some movement toward a settlement from the employer and it simply was going nowhere. As we have learned in the labour movement our option at this point is to take a strike vote. Dates were set and the members were ready to cast their ballots. Then happily, adealwasofferedby the Employer and the membership will

nowattendacontractratificationvoteinsteadofa strike vote.

Iamverypleasedtheyfoughtoffsomewickedstuffanditcanbedescribedasastepintheright direction. Congratulations to the Langara members, the Langara bargaining committee, and KathieCurrie,StaffRepresentative.

At the last General Membership meeting, discussion arose about encouraging and involving

young workers around the union. This question has been asked by many before and it was a good chance for our members that attended to share their thoughts and suggestions on how to accomplish this. Out of that discussion I was happy to follow up with a young worker who attended the meeting and I encouraged him to harness the enthusiasm shown at the meeting and organize a meeting or event. Watch for upcoming events from these young enthusiastic activists!

Also arising from that discussion was a motion thatyouwillfindintheNoticesofMotionsectionof this newsletter. If passed, this motion will provide an opportunity for a young worker from any sector to run for election as a delegate to attend convention. If no young worker is eligible under the 50 percent attendance at membership meetings bylaw the seat will go back into the at large pool and become open to all members. I think this is a step in the right direction and hope to see more young workers get involved.

I am sure you have all noticed labour and unions get quite a bad rap in the media and perhaps in your own circles. With the upcoming provincial election things will be in high gear. Accusations willflyandtheageoldattacksonunionsandlabour will arise. I have pondered the whys and figureitboilsdowntothis:itisinconceivabletosomethatanyonewouldhelporfightforsomethingtheymayormaynotdirectlybenefitfrom. This puzzles those who are used to the dog

eat dog mentality of many of those not on the left of politics. But we all know involvement in the labour movement is a calling because there are no pots of gold at the end of the rainbow. This is something that capitalists will never understand.

Which leads me to a related item. A cherished member of this union has been struck with a serious illness and a few of her union colleagues decided they wanted to help. One thing lead to another and the next thing you know, not only did they get help from her friends, coworkers, union sisters and brothers, but Barry O’Neill, our BC President and Mark Hancock, our BC Secretary Treasurer, attended an event held in her name recently. This kind of solidarity and support is not easily found and I was humbled to be part of it. One thing I have learned is that we stick together like family. It is a blessing.

Lastly, I would like to thank our outgoing Chief Steward from the City, Steve Salsman. Steve and I worked together for years as stewards in the trenches and I got to know him to be a solid activist who has a sound commitment to labour values. He brought a critical eye which is so much differentthanacriticalvoice.Hehadsolutions.But I am happy to say he is still an active steward and on a much needed break from Chief. Sally Bankiner has taken up the reins and will be Chief for the City sector stewards and is already gearing up for her new role. Congratulations Sally!

The Heart and Soul of Labour

Leanne Toderian Secretary Treasurer

Paul Faoro, President

By Paul Faoro, President

The provincial election is on May 14. That’s less than 60 days from the time this Members’ Voice came through your mail slot to E-Day, where we collectively

can change government. This is a change that is desperately needed. In CUPE 15 about half of our membership works for an employer that receives its funding directly from the provincial government. For the last 12 years we have had a government whose priority has been cutting taxes for corporations and the wealthy at the

expense of properly funding public services. CUPEmembershavefelttheeffectoftheBCLiberals’ skewed priorities. Members have had theirwagesfrozen,theirbenefitsclawedback,and their rights taken away.

The lack of sustained funding has hammered public sector employers. The Vancouver School Board is facing another multimillion dollar shortfall for the coming school year. This is on top of the $80 million it has had to cut from its budgets over the last 10 years due to underfunding. Education spending in BC is the

second lowest in Canada behind only Prince Edward Island. This is from a government that spews its “Family First Plan” on a daily basis.

Premier Christy Clark presented her government’s 2013 budget a few weeks ago and it doesn’t look any better. School boards are squeezed further as they will have to absorb many new costs such as MSP increases and converting from the HST to PST. Post-secondary funding will be cut again and the tuition fees will continue to rise. Premier Clark wants students to carry more debt load for their education as graduates are expected to use 8% of their income to pay for student loans, up from 5%.

The arts and cultural sector will feel the cut of $126.7 million to the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development – a cut that amounts to 41% of its budget. Our members at the Vancouver Art Gallery, Museum of Vancouver, HR MacMillan Space Centre, and Maritime Museum have fallen behind due to grant cuts under this government. Last year BC’s arts funding was well below that of all other provinces of Canada. The national average for provincial arts funding is $26 per capita with BC at approximately $6.50 per capita.

Premier Clark is also slashing health care spending as levels announced last year for the fiscalyear2013-2014havebeenreducedby$234million. Budget documents also forecast that health authorities and societies will spend $90 million less on front-line health care services than forecasted in last year’s plan. The BC Liberals

have taken our province from second to ninth place compared to other provinces for per capita investment in health care needs of its residents.

This budget was coined “Investing in our future” but it does nothing for our future but place more costs on working families. The BC Liberalsaffirmedthisbudgetas“balanced”butwhen you know they are selling $260 million of government assets or what I should say as “our” assets there is nothing balanced about it. This government is well past their expiry date.

In the last provincial election, more than half of the eligible voters stayed home. In order to address this and help elected people who value public services and working families in British Columbia, our Provincial Division has started member-to-member calling. That is CUPE members calling other CUPE members to talk about the importance of this election.

The phone banks have started but we need more members to help with the calling. The calling is takingplacefromtheCUPERegionalofficeinBurnaby Monday through Thursday each week until the election. Ideally we need help between the hours of 4:00 and 8:00 p.m.

IfyoucanhelppleasecalltheCUPE15officeat604-879-4671 or send an email to email@cupe15.org. There are 85,000 CUPE members in B.C. We need your help to ensure every member votes on May 14th.

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Letters, Notices, & Updates

notices

Donation ThanksThank you for making an investment in education. Your generosity goes far beyond its financialvaluetoimpactthelivesofstudentswho are setting out to achieve their dreams and goals. You inspire us all to achieve our potential, individually and collectively, and elevate our success beyond what we once imagined possible by placing your support and trust in Kwantlen Polytechnic University.

On behalf of students, faculty and volunteers, thank you for helping us deliver exceptional, cutting edge education to more than 19,000 students each year.

D. MellengerAdvancementOfficer,KPU

The Executive decidedAt the Executive and Society Board meetings on February 20, 2013 and March 6, 2013 the following decisions were made:

• To send the request for proposals for electronic voting with a proposal return date of March 25, 2013.

• To donate $300 annually to Co-Dev Canada.

• To appoint Brother Mark Gloumeau to the VESP Board.

• ToconfirmSisterSallyBankinerasthe Chief Shop Steward at the City of Vancouver.

• To purchase four tickets to the Annual COPE Gala fundraising event.

• To purchase two tickets to the “Get Your Art On” Spencer Chandra Herbert fundraising event.

• To purchase a table at the annual International Women’s Day Dinner.

• To allocate $25,000 towards the 2013 Provincial election.

• To recommend an amendment to Section 27 of the bylaws. See Notices of Motion.

• To authorize up to $4,000 to work with other K-12 locals in the lower mainland to fund a suitable ad campaign in support of K-12 members.

• To purchase a table at the Vancouver and District Labour Council annual fundraising dinner in support of Queen Alexandra Elementary School.

The Members decidedAt the General Membership Meeting on February 27, 2013 the following decisions were made by the members in attendance:• To acclaim Brother Rory Gylander as

the Cultural Sector Representative on the Executive Board.

• To donate $500 to Brother Paul Faoro’s campaign for Secretary Treasurer of CUPE BC.

• To donate $1,500 to Gordon Neighbourhood House and to invite a representative to speak at an upcoming General Membership meeting.

It’s Nomination Time!Nominations to be held at the March 27, 2013 General Membership Meeting

Another year has passed and Executive Board elections are on the agenda. The term of these positions is two years (3 years for the Trustee). Up to half of the Executive is elected each year to ensure consistency on the elected board. This year there are eight positions up for democratic renewal. They are:

• President (full time paid position)• 2nd Vice President• City Sector Representative (1)• Park Board Sector Representative (1)• College/University Sector Representative (1)• Cultural Sector Representative (1)• K-12 Sector Representative (1)• Health Sector Representative – HSSCBA

(Community) (1)• Trustee (1)

To be eligible to accept nomination for the President, 2nd Vice President, or Trustee you must have attended at least 50% of the membership meetings in the past year.

Search CUPE 15 for Facebook, and keep up-to-date- on news from your union at: @cupelocal15Notice of

By-electionMember at Large – Health Sector Representative (HSSCBA)

There is a vacancy for a Member at Large – HSSCBA Sector Representative for the balance of a two year term ending May 22, 2013. Only members from the Community Health Sector are eligible to be nominated or to vote.

Notice of MotionBylaw Amendment

The Executive Board recommends to the membership amendment of Section 27.1 of the bylaws by adding one additional delegate for a young worker.

SECTION 27: DELEGATES TO CONVENTIONS, COUNCILS, AND CONFERENCES27.1 The President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, and Secretary Treasurer will have firstpreferencetotheCUPENationalandCUPEBC Conventions. Additional delegates will be elected by the membership as follows:• City Sector - 2 delegates• K-12 Sector - 2 delegates• Parks Sector - 2 delegates• Health Sector - 2 delegates• College and University Sector - 1 delegate• Cultural Sector - 1 delegate• Young Worker – 1 delegate(Ayoungworkerisdefinedasapersonoftheage of 30 or under.)

Additional and alternate delegates, if required, will be elected at large by the membership.Eligibility to stand as a CUPE 15 delegate will be attendance at a minimum of 50% of the General Membership meetings in the 12 months prior to the convention.

ExplanationAt the February membership meeting there was discussion about creating a delegate position for a young worker. This amendment, if approved, would ensure a young worker has the opportunity to attend and participate in conventions. Locals have been strongly encouraged by CUPE National to send young workers to conventions as part of a strategy for strengthening the union.

VSB Job Share OpportunityI am looking for a 50/50 or 60/40 job share partner from mid April to the end of the year at Eric Hamber Secondary in the Resource Center. I work with mainstream students with mild learning disabilities on their academics. Excellent team and low stress environment. To discuss this further please email me at sabinc65@yahoo.ca. - Shelley Locascio, VSB

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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 forsubmissionsis9:00a.m.onthefirstWednesday of each month. All submissions may be edited for brevity and clarity. Signed articlesandlettersdonotnecessarilyreflectthe views or policy of CUPE Local 15.

CUPE Local 15545 West 10th AvenueVancouver, BC V5Z 1K9Phone: 604-879-4671Fax: 604-879-7582Email: email@cupe15.orgWebsite: www.cupe15.org

Local15isacharteredaffiliateoftheCanadianUnionofPublicEmployeesandisalsoaffiliatedwith 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: Rory GylanderHealth/HSSCBA: Vacant 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, Kevin Tilley

Office & Administrative Staff:Mark Gloumeau, Accounting Coordinator RosemaryMatheson,OfficeManager BarbaraSimpson,OfficeAssistantNadiaThibault,OfficeAssistant

Building Maintenance:JeffZaharia

CUPE National Representatives:Justin Schmid, Susan Zander

Designed by talkingdog.ca UFCW1518

For much of his career as a journalist he has supported progressive causes. He was trained as an accountant and has received formal director education.As a board member he is committed to working for members and building healthier communities.

He is committed to cooperative values and social justice. And as an urban beekeeper he is a strong environmentalist.

The election takes place through the month of April by mail, on line, or in selected branches.

Please help re-elect Allen Garr to the Vancity Board of Directors

by Paul Faoro, President

I would like to remind members about the no charge legal advice service that is available for all members of CUPE 15. Through our Vancouver Municipal, Education and Community Workers’ Society (VMECWS) we have signed an agreement with the Ethos Law Group in Vancouver to provide legal consultation to members. CUPE 15 members are automatically members of the VMECWS.

Our agreement with Ethos provides members with 30 minutes of legal (initial) consultation at no charge for non-employment related matters including civil litigation, personal injury, family law, wills and estates, residential tenancy and residential real estate, workers’ compensation claims, criminal law and motor vehicle violations. After the 30 minute initial consultation Ethos will give members preferential retainer agreements for additional legal services.

MemberscanaccessthisservicebycallingtheCUPE15officeat604-879-4671andobtainingaLegalServicesReferralCertificate.Thismustbedonebeforeanyservicescanbeprovided.Formoreinformation about Ethos Law Group, please visit www.ethoslaw.ca.

No charge legal advice available to members