local voice may 2014

ALSO INSIDE

Health & Safety ESL

Are We Ready To Rumble?

QuiLTbAg Members

Transit Night Riders

Safer Workplaces at bC Hydro

Quarterly publication for members of the Canadian Office & Professional Employees union, Local 378

Local VoiceVolume 9 | Issue #2 Spring 2014

Safety | Security | Protection

Film Collaboration

QuIltbag members

eSl through Health and Saftey

In This IssueconTenTs

19

17

15

3 PresIdenTs oPenInG MessaGe by David black

4 TransLaTIons

6 PresIdenT's word

7 nIGhT rIders: TransIT securITy

8 coasT MounTaIn Bus MeMBers and reTIreMenT BenefITs

9 LIBeraL MIsManaGeMenT: safeTy of B.c. workers by Harry bains

10 ProfILe of ardeLL BroPhy award wInner LaurIe kIrk

11 suPPorTInG safer workPLaces aT Bc hydro by Linda Mott

12 onLIne MeMBer PorTaL

13 IcBc oh&s coMMITTees: TraInInG and unIon rIGhTs by Annette Toth

14 ParTIcIPaTInG In deMocracy by Korleen Carreras and Lori Mayhew

15 LearnInG enGLIsh ThrouGh heaLTh and safeTy

16 are we ready To ruMBLe? by Steve Milne

17 worksafeBc and LaBour herITaGe cenTre fILM coLLaBoraTIon by Robin Folvik

18 ceLeBraTInG 10 years as IndePendenT canadIan unIon

19 QuILTBaG MeMBers

20 BarGaInInG BrIefs

22 Bc foruM

23 reP assIGnMenTs

24 orGanIzed LauGhTer

Presidents opening Message

USW 2009

David Black

President, COPE 378

i remember the first person i helped after i became a COPE 378 job steward at iCbC. She was called into a disciplinary meeting with her supervisor and a manager and was told she could have a job stew-ard present. She came and found me. We quickly spoke about the issue, and she gave me her point of view. She had been having some personality clashes with her supervisor and thought that was the cat-alyst for the meeting, not any real problems with her performance.

We pulled out my copy of the collective agreement and flipped through it, focusing on the sections outlining her rights in the areas we thought might come up in the meeting. When she went into that meeting, i was at her side, taking notes and keeping the conversation glued to the real or perceived problems as they should have been dealt with by the collective agreement.

i still think of that combination member, steward and collective agreement as the foundation of everything we do today to ensure the safety, security and protection of our members. Our advocacy takes other forms, of course. We work towards government policy and legislation that will better protect our members. We partner with community groups working for a healthier, more inclusive and just society. And we work with other unions, provincially, nationally and globally, to continue to fight for higher standards for all workers so that we can move forward, not get dragged backwards into settling for less. The work we do ensures you are able to do the work you do safely and with the knowledge you are covered by a framework that protects you in several different ways.

And that member i mentioned? Her or perhaps i should say her supervisors issues were resolved before anything got too serious, through a combination of conflict resolution and education about the rights of members as outlined in the collective agreement. What can i say? COPE 378 has some pretty great job stewards.

The canadian office and Professional employees union, Local 378, is affiliated with the canadian office and Professional employees union, the British columbia federation of Labour, the canadian Labour congress, unI Global union and IndustriaLL.

Canadian Office and Professional Employees Union, Local 378, Executive Board Members:President: david BlackSecretary-Treasurer: Lori MayhewVice Presidents: annette Toth (IcBc), Gwenne farrell (utilities), heather Lee (combined units)Accenture Business Services: Melanie Greenlaw, nancy de VriesBC Hydro: calvin Jonas, rysa kronebuschICBC: yasmin carroll, karin cirez, Mike ferguson, Joyce Galuska, Trevor hansenFortisBC Energy: Tim BouzovetskyFortisBC Inc. and FortisBC Customer Service Centres: stephanie smithCombined Units: colleen finn, Laurie kirk, Petro koromvokis, don Mace, keith Parkinson, Tim weigelt

COPE 378 Communications & Campaigns:communications director: sage aaroncommunications officer: Jarrah hodge

COPE 378 Senior Union Representatives:Brad Bastien, Glen MacInnes

COPE 378 Union Representatives:carrol edwards, Tony Geluch, cathy hirani, Barry hodson, ken howie, Barbara Junker, Pat Junnila, cindy Lee, sarah Melsness, Bonnie Merriman, Brian nelson, kevin Payne, cheryl Popeniuk, kelly Quinn, karen rockwell, stephen Von sychowski

COPE 378 Administrative & Office Staff:Joanne Banfield, karen caston, elaine chilman, Lise cluff, adele earwaker, yudon Garie, Lisa Jeffery, shelley Lockhart, carol McLuskie, karen Mcrae, kim smith

COPE 378 Financial Staff: sandi Malhame, donna Morris, Barbara Liang, amandeep nijjar

Occupational Health & Safety & WCB Appeals:steve Milne

Organizing:Georgi Bates, caitlin Gilroy

Job Evaluation:Teresa davie

LTD Trust Administrator:Jim Moynham

coPe 378 Local Voice is the official quarterly magazine published for the members of the canadian office and Professional employees union, Local 378.IsBn 1918-9753 coPe Local 378 VoiceLetters to the editor are welcome but may be edited for brevity and clarity. Please contact coPe 378 for permission to reprint articles, graphics, or photographs.

address all correspondence to: coPe 378 communications2nd floor, 4595 canada way, Burnaby, B.c. V5G 1J9Phone: 604-299-0378 Toll free: 1-800-664-6838fax: 604-299-8211

Visit coPe 378s website at www.cope378.caor contact us via email at [email protected]: sage aaron

COPE 378 Local Voice VoLuMe 9 Issue #2 spring 2014 | 3

4 | VoLuMe 9 Issue #2 spring 2014 COPE 378 Local Voice

Top 9 ways coPe 378 ensures your safety, security and Protection

PresIdenT'sword

2 5 91

2 345678 99Ever wonder what your union does to ensure your safety, security and protection? its a good question because most of our members wont ever inter-act with us directly. but weve got your back and were working on your behalf just the same.

Heres a quick list of some of the things we do to keep you covered.

1. your collective agreement: Youre protected by a collective agreement which lays out the terms and conditions of your employment. From wag-es to benefi ts to hours of work, its all in there. The agreement says what the employer can and cant do and best of all, you get to help shape this agreement in bargaining.

2. The grievance procedure: Each collective agree-ment outlines a grievance procedure, which is a list of steps to resolve disputes between your union and the employer. if your boss doesnt obey the collective agreement by, for instance, failing to provide a respectful and harassment-free workplace, we can fi le a grievance to fi x the problem. but often the fi rst step is for your job steward or union representative to talk it out with the employer.

3. your stewards: in almost every COPE 378 work-place there are people whove been trained by the union to defend your rights. These folks are trouble-shooters and issue-solvers. They have a direct line to the union offi ce to access the information needed to help you out. They can tell you what is and isnt a grievance, help you understand your benefi ts and make sure your workplace is safe.

4. wcB appeals/oh&s coordinator: COPE 378 has a full-time Workers Compensation board/Occupational Health and Safety coordinator who works with employers to make job sites safe and defends members rights when they are in-jured on the job.

5. your union representatives: These highly trained union staff ers are the big guns. They know your agreement and labour law very, very well. They can interpret complicated language and, if your boss wont fi x problems through the grievance process, they can take the issue the Labour board. They also help bargain your collective agreements.

6. your council and executive board: in between conventions, these folks are the government of your union. Led by your president, secretary-treasurer and vice-presidents, they set the direc-tion of the union, keep the union's fi nancials (in-cluding the $20 million defence fund) steady and make sure the union offi ce runs at optimal ef-fi ciency. best of all: you elect them from among your coworkers.

7. Political advocacy: Sometimes the threats to our members dont come from their managers; they come from government decisions. COPE 378 campaigns and lobbies government on your behalf for the best possible outcome.

8. community initiatives: We partner with com-munity groups, most notably the united Way, in communities across b.C. The united Way raises funds and runs programs that help strengthen communities by taking care of those most vul-nerable.

9. The labour movement: Were part of some-thing bigger, something that keeps the ideas of fairness and equality fi xed in the public dis-course. From advocating for a stronger Canada Pension Plan here at home to pressuring cloth-ing brands to take responsibility for the loss of life when a textile factory collapsed in bangla-desh and to make sure it never, ever happens again, we support and share the work of insti-tutions who are making a tangible diff erence for the better.

By daVId BLack, PresIdenT


night riders:riding along with the Transit security night shift TransIT

By Jarrah hodGe, coMMunIcaTIons offIcer

COPE 378 represents Transit Police, the sworn of-fi cers who work for TransLink, and Coast Moun-tain bus transit security. Last June President David black and i rode along with transit security members on a morning shift. We recently joined them for a graveyard shift in order to get a full picture of their work.

7 p.m.We meet at the Coast Mountain bus offi ce in New

Westminster and get a picture of their day-to-day jobs. We do fare inspections, ride the coaches and ensure

everythings safe and sound on transit properties. We also fi eld customer inquiries. We help explain how the fares and upgrades work, explains one member, Tom*.

We can run into fare-evaders, irate passengers, drunk passengers. Were trained to de-escalate these situations. its for the passengers and the operators [bus drivers] who are out there. We see them and their families and we want them to go home safe at night, adds Tom.

One of the most signifi cant challenges for our mem-bers is understaffi ng. On a full shift, like tonight, only eight people cover the entire bus system.

i join Phil, Craig and Jeremy in a car to respond to a call. Phil gives me a heavy bullet-proof vest to wear, and a pair of what look like tacky sunglasses; theyre to protect my eyes in case someone spits at them.

On the way over, i ask Craig why he works in transit security. He says, i like dealing with the public and help-ing people if i can, keeping everyone safe.

Craig tells me about one of his worst experiences on the job: the time he was riding a bus in the Downtown Eastside and got poked with a needle.

i got rushed to the hospital to get checked out and it was a stressful ten months waiting to fi nd out if i had anything, he says.

10 p.m.Phil, Jeremy and i ride the 106 to New Westminster

Station. Phil asks the bus driver how he is.im good great now you guys are here, he replies.

He hopes we can stick around a bit at New Westmin-ster Station because there is a regular passenger whos a problem.

You know, the one who threatened to shoot me, he reminds them.

2 to 4 a.m.After the SkyTrain shuts down, Transit Police go

off -shift, so transit security are the main ones keeping things safe on transit property and the crowded night buses. David goes downtown to ride the night buses with our members.

Riding the N19 back along Kingsway at one point a passenger gets stressed and a little belligerent at being asked to move to the back of the bus to make room for

more people. Hes clearly intoxicated. Our members and another passenger fi nally calm him down and get him to the back of the bus so others can board.

Then a bit later i see that hes passed out. This guy was lying on the fl oor and he had vomited everywhere. We stopped the bus and our members were really good. They tried to revive him but he was really out of it so they got him onto the sidewalk and covered him with a blanket until an ambulance could get there, David explained.

The ride-along showed you just dont know whats going to happen when youre in their job, and you dont have a lot of other peo-ple or resources if things go sideways. i was really impressed with how our members remained calm and focused on protecting and assisting drivers and passengers.

*Names have been changed to

protect members privacy.

7:00

10:002:00

4:00


coast Mountain Bus Members fend off attack on retirement Benefitssuccess

By Jarrah hodGe, coMMunIcaTIons offIcer

The quote What we wish for ourselves, we desire for all is a core principle in the labour movement, and it was demonstrated clearly by COPE 378 members in their latest round of bargaining at Coast Mountain bus Company (CMbC).

Coast Mountain bus tried to outright buy our re-tirement benefits, but it wasnt a good deal, said Petro Koromvokis, COPE 378 board member for CMbC.

With already two years gone since the last collec-tive agreement expired, Coast Mountain bus forced over 400 COPE 378 employees to vote on a final offer that included demands for significant concessions on retirement benefits. under CMbCs package, all mem-bers who currently have over 10 years of service would have had a choice upon retirement of whether to keep their post-retirement benefits plan or whether to ac-cept a payout of $500 per year of service: not enough to even cover the current basic MSP premiums for an individual, much less extended benefits for dependent family members.

CMbC wanted to force current members with less than 10 years of service to take the payout rather than benefits. The final result would be a two-tier agreement where any new hires would get no retirement benefits or payout, regardless of length of service.

This was a mean-spirited and unfair attack that tried to divide members against each other, said COPE378 Vice-President Heather Lee. Our members sent that message to the employer loud and clear. They voted 91 per cent against taking CMbCs offer and 91 per cent in favour of job action.

We organized a group of job stewards to engage with the members and answer their questions during this process. They went out from property to property and they did a really good job, said union Representa-tive Kevin Payne.

it said that we cared enough to go to them. While management and the Labour board conducted their fi-nal offer vote we stayed outside in the cold and the rain and conducted our strike vote, Koromvokis explained.

A few weeks after the overwhelming strike vote, without having to take any job action, COPE 378 signed a tentative agreement after CMbC backed down on the issue. The issue will now go to a committee made up of both union and management representatives to review the benefit plans and determine how to protect and continue to offer retirement benefits in a more cost-effective way.

This is a win for us, and it also means now we have the opportunity to work together to find a solution that works for everyone, said Payne.

im very proud of our members. They didnt ac-cept CMbCs two-tier agreement. instead, they came together to support each other and stand up for future union members. And they were successful, Lee said.

What we wish for ourselves, we desire for all

Coast Mountain Bus tried to

outright buy our retirement

benefits, but it wasnt a good deal.

Petro Koromvokis,

COPE 378 board member for CMBC

Heather Lee


Liberal Mismanagement Putting safety of B.c. workers at risk B.c. PoLITIcs

By harry BaIns, Bc new deMocraT JoBs and LaBour crITIc

Worker safety cannot be guaranteed by this Lib-eral government. Recent worker deaths, a fail-ure to ensure those responsible are held to ac-count, and the ongoing failure by companies to comply with safety regulations have left workers around british Columbia, particularly in sawmills, uneasy and angry.

Thats why New Democrats believe it is imperative to hold an independent investigation into the tragedies at babine Forest Products in burns Lake and Lakeland Mill in Prince george.

The Liberal government has refused to hold such an investigation, and instead has said an internal review by the premiers own top staff is good enough.

We believe that is simply unacceptable. Only a tru-ly independent investigation will get to the bottom of what happened. Only an independent investigation will get to the bottom of who is criminally responsible for the deaths of four workers and the injuries of many oth-ers, and ensure they are held accountable.

in 2010, two years before the explosions, Work-SafebC identified wood dust as a major combustion hazard at a workshop. but the government agency failed to cite sawdust as an explosive hazard at mills, despite inspections that identified buildup on site.

After the explosions, instead of conducting a prop-er investigation, WorkSafebC went into damage control mode, working overtime to try to politically subdue the injured workers and families of those who died.

While the Crown and WorkSafebC continue to point fingers at each other, workers and their families want to know why the Liberal government failed to en-sure that these two government agencies were work-ing together and fulfilling their responsibilities. The Lib-eral government should have been working with these agencies long before the explosions happened.

Whats even more dis-turbing is that two years af-ter the sawmill explosions, nearly half of the mills in b.C. still failed safety audits with unacceptable levels of wood dust the same factor that caused the tragedies in burns Lake and Prince george. The Liberal governments re-sponse was to hold some meetings with company CEOs, something that should have happened before the explosions. That isnt good enough.

A federal law passed in 2003 allowed for criminal charges to be laid against managers and owners to ad-dress unsafe workplace conditions. Since the Westray law came into effect in 2004, there have been 1,350 worker deaths and not a single criminal charge has been laid.

New Democrats have written to the premier, add-ing our voice to those of the injured workers and the families of those who died, and asked her to launch a fully independent investigation.

We have also raised this issue countless times dur-ing question period and in the media, asking the pre-mier why she refuses to allow an independent investi-gation to happen.

british Columbians want to know how many more workers must be killed or injured before the government takes its responsibility for the safety of workers seriously.

Workers in B.C. deserve better.

Harry Bains

BC New Democrat

jobs and

labour critic

"...the ongoing failure by companies to comply with

safety regulations have left workers around British

Columbia, particularly in sawmills, uneasy and angry."


honourInG acTIVIsTs

it wasnt long after Laurie Kirk started working at the Discovery Harbour branch of Coastal Community Credit union that she noticed the important role her unions job steward was playing.

She was a very calming influence, Kirk said.Two years later when her steward left the branch for

another job, Kirk was ready to step into the role herself.One of the first things my steward had taught me

was to always be nice, until its time not to be nice. i asked her, How will i know when that time is? and she said, Youll know. it was great advice, Kirk said.

Now, 15 years later, Kirk serves on the unions ex-ecutive board and is the most recent recipient of the unions Ardell brophy Award, which recognizes a job steward with an outstanding record of union activism and mentoring new activists.

One of the reasons she was recognized was her commitment to helping organize other credit union branches to join the union.

What got me and sister Wanda [Neil] involved to start with was we took an organizing class with Dave McPherson at the spring Job Steward Seminar. it got us interested because, at that time, only about half of our branches were organized and we could see the dispari-ties with the ones that werent, Kirk said.

Kirk explained the non-union branches had de-veloped a culture that wasnt healthy or respectful of the employees:

There was pressure and a lot of people would work through their breaks and not take lunch. Sometimes they were expected to drive to peoples houses at night to get people to sign papers. That could be dangerous.

Another big issue Kirk found in non-union credit union branches was lack of job security and job opportunity.

if youre not in the union they can just give you two weeks severance and youre out the door. Thats really a problem when there are so many changes in tech-nology in our sector and things move fast. Our union helps because we negotiated guidelines that stipulate the employer has to work with us when they want to cut jobs because of technological changes. Employees have more rights and are treated more fairly.

When asked what advice she has for new job stew-ards, Kirk says, i would say follow your heart and your instincts because theyre usually right. if something seems wrong, it probably is.

Kirk still works at the Discovery Harbour branch of CCCu in Campbell River, as a senior member service representative. She lives with her husband and they have two adult daughters.

"... follow

your heart

and your

instincts

because

they're

usually

right."

Laurie Kirk

Laurie Kirk with

COPE 378 President

David Black

Laurie Kirk accepting the Ardell Brophy award

ardell Brophy award winner Laurie kirk


supporting safer workplaces at Bc hydro Bc hydroBy LInda MoTT, Bc hydro eMPLoyee enGaGeMenT ManaGer

The bC Hydro Safety Task Force (STF) was estab-lished in 2010 to determine why bC Hydro had an alarming frequency of safety incidents, and

to fi nd solutions so no employee would be seriously injured or wounded again. The STF made 19 recom-mendations and COPE 378 supported these recom-mendations, along with the international brotherhood of Electrical Workers (ibEW) and bC Hydro's board of Directors and Executive.

The Senior Safety Leadership Team (SSLT) was created to support the ongoing implementation of the recommendations. Soon the SSLT was meeting monthly because of the sheer volume of issues that needed to be addressed

COPE 378 utilities Vice-President gwenne Farrell said: The creation of the SSLT has been a tremendous step in the right direction. There has been improved col-laboration and all parties have been more proactive in dealing with safety issues. We still have a ways to go, but were making the workplace safer for all our members.

Another recommendation made by the task force was to create the Life Saving Rules.

The Life Saving Rules are the result of a collabora-tive eff ort amongst COPE, bC Hydro, and ibEW employ-ees, said Life Saving Rules Team member and COPE 378 member, Construction Offi cer Todd Ewing. While its our expectation that workers follow all safety rules, the Life Saving Rules focus on the high-risk work activities that carry the greatest threat of serious injury or death.

David Stevenson, COPE 378 member and occu-pational safety and health specialist, has worked in various sawmills and has seen the risks workers were expected to take. The injuries they sustained made him realize the importance of changing safety cul-ture in the workplace.

As a fi rst aid attendant ive seen some devastating injuries happen to some of my closest friends. i cant explain the feeling of sitting in the emergency room with your friend while he cries in pain. i cant explain the feeling of hopelessness as i shut the ambulance door, watch it speed away and hope that my friend is going to survive. Many employees, especially those who work in the offi ces may feel the nine Life Saving Rules just apply to those in the fi eld, but they dont. They apply to all of us at home and at work, Stevenson said.

Also a COPE 378 member, Kim Symington has been an occupational safety and health specialist for over 20 years.

i take it personally when someone gets hurt or in-jured, i feel i let them down, she said. Maybe i didnt speak up enough, fi ght the politics enough or plow through the road blocksive been in jobs where safety wasnt even discussed. There was an attitude of accept the way it is or move on. That wasnt good enough for me. i wasnt willing to accept that attitude and it led me into a career that has never let me down. To this day, i still enjoy what i do, working with the frontline em-ployees and managers speaking up, providing guid-ance and support, and at the end of the day seeing everyone go home safe.

im very proud of the Life Saving Rules teams ac-complishments and their dedication to improving safety at bC Hydro. i also appreciate how many of the mem-bers have stepped up to take on roles in the new safety committees that have been established, says Farrell.

Employees across bC Hydro are working hard to make a diff erence in safety and in implementing the Safety Task Force vision and its recommendations. Fo-cused committees are now leading the change and will continue to improve on what has been implemented.

Ive been in jobs where safety wasnt

even discussed. There was an attitude

of accept the way it is or move on.

That wasnt good enough for me. Kim Symington, Occupational Safety and Health Specialist

Left photo: Kim Symington. Right photo: David Stevenson

bC Hydro Safety task Force (StF) was established

Recommendationswere made to improve safety

2010

19

Gwenne Farrell


Member PortalcoPe378.ca

gET THE CARD TO gET ONLiNE

To access the member portal members will need their Member iD number. Each COPE 378 member has a unique identifi cation number assigned only to them. This iD number is printed on member cards, which were sent to all COPE 378 members by mail either in March of 2011 or, if a member joined COPE 378 after this date, within two months of starting work and becoming a COPE 378 member.

The Member iD number is in the middle of the card below the bar code.

if a COPE 378 member has lost or misplaced their member card, they must call the union offi ce at 604-299-0378 or 1-800-665-6838 for a replacement. That replacement card will be sent to the member by mail.

LOggiNg iN FOR THE FiRST TiME

Follow these instructions for accessing the www.cope378.ca online member portal for the fi rst time.

With member cards in hand, COPE 378 members go to www.cope378.ca in their web browsers and fol-low these steps:

1. Click on COPE 378 Member Portal in the upper right hand corner of the screen.

2. Click on the red Sign up Now button underneath First Time Here?

3. Fill out all the fi elds, starting with Member iD. Member iD numbers are number found on COPE 378 member cards. Chose a username and a password. When choosing a username, members should consider something easy to re-member, like email addresses.

Following these steps will give members access to the member portal.

To login after registering for the fi rst time, members can follow the member portal link at www.cope378.ca and enter the user name and password they picked upon registration.

if the information entered matches the informa-tion COPE 378 has on fi le for that member, they will be registered.

In late April COPE 378 unveiled its new member portal, which will better enable all members to access the information they need from the union.

This portal, which is securely protected by unique individual passwords, will allow members to:

Verify their personal contact information on fi le with the union and make any changes or updates if necessary

Check on the status of any active personal grievances Check on the status of any workplace-wide grievances (also called policy grievances,

so named because they grieve a workplace policy)

Find sensitive communications that cannot be shared on the public website


If you have

any questions

about training of

the joint OH&S

committees,

please get in

touch via email at

[email protected]

IcBc oh&s committees: Training and union rights IcBcBy anneTTe ToTh, VIce-PresIdenT

Annette Toth

Over the past few months its become clear iCbC hasnt been holding up its end of a very impor-tant deal regarding our joint occupational health and safety committees.

Since becoming vice-president, ive been hard at work making sure all of the committees including the OH&S commitees are current and up-to-date. its been a challenge.

The OH&S joint committees are, according to our collective agreement, made up of employer represen-tatives and union representatives. by Workers Com-pensation board (WCb or WorkSafe) law, all committee members are entitled to eight hours of training each year. This training is offered by the Health & Safety Cen-tre at the bC Federation of Labour (bCFED).

When i started updating COPE 378s very out-of-date information as to who was on these committees, we didnt know who was supposed to be there, and neither did iCbC. And then i learned iCbC was appointing the unions representatives to joint OH&S committee without telling the union. And no one was getting trained.

Lets start with the training first. The Health & Safety Centre offers a wide array of courses, starting with ba-sic OH&S training, to courses that cover improving Re-turn to Work Outcomes, understanding and Preventing Stress in the Workplace and Emergency Preparedness. The courses are interesting and useful and can help the committees function more effectively. And, Health & Safety Centre trainers will travel. COPE 378 can coordi-nate with the centre to put on group sessions outside of

the Lower Mainland, wherever we have enough OH&S committee members. We want committee members to be trained and will help them get that information.

As for the corporation appointing the unions rep-resentatives wow. Thats pretty far over the line. Our committee members are the eyes and ears of the union at your workplaces on safety-related issues. in addition to the fact members werent getting training, the lines of responsibility are fundamentally different. if managers are appointing members to the committee, job stew-ards need to remind those managers they don't have that right. it is the role and right of the union.

i know that not all worksites have this problem. but many do, or did. ive written to everyone i think is on a joint OH&S committee and have asked them to sign a confirmation letter that they want to stay on the com-mittee, that they understand that they are there on be-half of the union not the employer and to outline their rights to education: eight hours of OH&S training each year.

Many of these committee members care about their responsibilities and are very conscientious, but had no idea they were there on behalf of the union. And i was absolutely shocked at how many wrote back to say they were never offered any OH&S training at all.

The good news is that were fixing the problem. Were working on making sure everyone has the train-ing and support they need. if you have any questions about training of the joint OH&S committees, please get in touch via email at [email protected]

"Our [OH&S] committee

members are the eyes and ears

of the union at your workplaces

on safety-related issues."


PoLITIcaL acTIon rePorT Participating in democracy

federal politics The federal budget was introduced early in February

and, not surprisingly, nothing was set aside for bargain-ing with public sector workers, and no money given for expanding the Canada Pension Plan.

in somewhat happier news, the anti-union bill C-377, which would force punishing fi nancial disclosure on unions, is currently on hold. if or when its back the ap-proval process will continue in the Senate.

Through a series of lobbying eff orts bill C-525, which impacts federal public service union certifi cations, was amended. The original bill would have changed the law so that any employee who didn't vote yes or no to join-ing a union would have been deemed to have voted no. The bill was changed so that only the votes in the ballot box will be counted. its a small success because there are still many terrible aspects to this bill and our work is not done yet.

The most damaging bill introduced this session is bill C-23, the Fair Elections Act. There is nothing fair about it. The act will drastically limit the powers of Elections Canadaa non-partisan entityand put the power in the hands of the party in government. The act would eliminate vouching for voters without iD and re-fuse voter information cards as proof of address, which will stop many young and low-income or homeless Ca-nadians from voting. Training for fi nancial agents, politi-cal party volunteers responsible to fi ling election fi nan-cial reports, would stop. And the political party elected in each riding would be responsible for appointing key local election offi cials.

Academics, the labour movement, opposition par-ties and community groups have lined up against this act. Hopefully, together we can bring it down. Updateas Local Voice goes to press 45 sections of the act have been amended due to overwhelming criticism.

British columbiaAfter 300 days away from the legislature, members

of the legislative assembly went back on February 11 with the speech from the throne. The budget presented on February 18 did nothing to address straining public services and british Columbians' concerns about jobs and aff ordability.

The bC Teachers Federation won another court vic-tory but the government appealed the decision, once again refusing to reverse their cuts and bring back prop-er class size and composition.

A capable and fi ery bC NDP caucus continue to hold the bC Liberals to account in question period.

As of press time for the Local Voice, it seems as though John Horgan has been declared the unity can-didate by the party. if there are no other declared candi-dates Horgan, familiar to COPE 378 members through his work on the energy fi le, will be declared leader in early May.

Municipal Local government elections are approaching and

will be held in November of this year. This is the level of government we see day-to-day: garbage pickup, snow removal, city bylaws (our favorite, especially when it comes to parking regulations), police and fi re services. ironically these elections have the lowest voter turn-outusually around 25-30 per cent.

COPE 378 members will be running as candidates and we applaud their participation. if you are thinking of running as a candidate or volunteering please let us know. Email Korleen at [email protected] and Lori at [email protected]

By korLeen carreras and LorI Mayhew, PoLITIcaL acTIon coMMITTee co-chaIrs

C-377

bIll

C-525

bIll

C-23

bIll

Left photo:

Korleen Carreras

Right photo:

Lori Mayhew


Learning english through health and safetyworker

educaTIon

By saGe aaron, coMMunIcaTIons dIrecTor

I can use this [knowledge] if a friend has a problem

at work. I can say something that will help.

Monika Mendoza

When asked why she wanted to take a course that combines English as a second language teaching with workplace health and safety, Monika Mendoza laughed and said: Well, i have to learn English! Also, [because we are new immigrants] we dont know our rights and all the rules at our jobs. its important to learn.

The Colombian-born new Canadian trained as a ge-ologist in her country of origin. Here, in Canada, she cur-rently works at The gap. Shes keen to find work in her field and English skills are essential. So when friends told her about a free ESL program, she quickly signed up.

The bC Federation of Labours (bCFED) Health & Safety Centre offers a variety of classes to workers and their representatives, all aimed increasing understand-ing of british Columbias health and safety law while el-evating workplace safety for everyone. At least twice a year the centre offers people who are working or who are looking for work a unique and popular 12 week course: Developing Communication and Health and Safety Skills Using English as a Second Language (ESL).

We promote the course through affiliates [unions that are a part of the bCFED], said brian Campbell, the centres Employment Program Coordinator. The centre also runs SkyTrain ads about the course but most of the centres ESL students learn about the program through word of mouth. People talk about it to their friends and family members, said Campbell. Were almost always full. Weve had to do double sessions.

The classes run in Vancouver on Tuesdays and Thursdays for two hours each day. Class sizes runs from 20 to 30 people and are focused on teaching stu-dents about workplace health and safety using an ESL curriculum model. Students improve their language skills while learning about their rights and responsibili-ties when it comes to worksite health and safety. They study topics like workplace violence, how to prevent back injuries, how to identify workplace chemicals (the workplace hazardous materials information system

WHMiS) and how to spot health and safety hazards. Mendoza (whose background in geology led to

peppering her instructor with questions about b.C.s Mines Act) is keen to use what she learned at the Cen-tre to be a resource for her community. i can use this [knowledge] if a friend has a problem at work. i can say something that will help.

This desire to help and be a resource is common. A lot of our students become shop stewards and activists and workplace leaders in other forms, said Campbell.

Our students form quite a bond, and these rela-tionships continue outside of the class, said Campbell. Our last graduation ceremony had ballroom dancing, singing and a feast as well as diplomas. The class of-ten becomes an important social space for immigrants, many of whom feel isolated in a new country where they have difficulties with the language.

The spring class began on April 8. The next classes will be held in the winter. For more information about start times or registration, visit www.healthandsafetybc.ca


are we ready to rumble?eMerGencyreadIness

By sTeVe MILne, wcB aPPeaLs and occuPaTIonaL heaLTh and safeTy coordInaTor

The 6.6 Richter magnitude quake that hit coastal british Columbia late this April has everyone ask-ing: are we ready to rumble?Weve had quakes in b.C. before. A quake with a

Richter magnitude of 8.1 hit the Queen Charlotte Fault in 1949; it was the largest earthquake recorded in Can-ada, larger than the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. Another 7.4 magnitude quake struck the same area in 1970. in October of 2012 a 7.7 magnitude earthquake near Haida gwaii shook most of the north-central area of the province.

but are we ready for a big one? b.C.s Auditor general Russ Jones says no. in his report issued in March 2014 not much has changed since his office first warned the prov-ince isnt prepared for a massive earthquake17 years ago.

To fix the problem Jones recommended Emer-gency Management bC regularly conduct earthquake exercises with stakeholders to ensure a comprehensive response.

Jones cited experts who estimated there is a 12 per cent probability of a catastrophic earthquake affecting b.C. in the next 50 years. Such an earthquake off the south coast of b.C. would be dangerous to lives and could see damages and losses of $75 billion.

This quake could hit while were at work. The Work-ers Compensation board of bC (WCbalso known as WorkSafebC) outlines what employers need to do to prepare. The WCb Occupational Health & Safety Regu-lation (OHSR) says:

4.14 emergency procedures(1) Emergency means of escape must be provided

from any work area in which the malfunctioning of equipment or a work process could create an imme-diate danger to workers and the regular means of exit could become dangerous or unusable.

(2) Emergency exit routes must be designed and marked to provide quick and unimpeded exit.

(3) At least once each year emergency drills must be held to ensure awareness and effectiveness of emer-gency exit routes and procedures, and a record of the drills must be kept.

4.16 Training(1) All workers must be given adequate instruction in

the fire prevention and emergency evacuation proce-dures applicable to their workplace.

WCb provides a guideline within the OHSR that states, in part:

Section 4.16(2) provides for "adequate training...ap-plicable to their workplace". This provides for flex-ibility to adapt to the level of risk in the workplace. For example, in an office, workers would be ex-pected to know the area fire/evacuation alarm sig-nal and the response to be made when the signal is activated. In an industrial setting with a higher level of risk, for example where workers must use a res-pirator or other specialized equipment to evacuate, more instruction is required, along with the avail-ability of the necessary equipment. If a worker is expected to be part of the "workplace response" to contain a fire or other emergency, then training and instruction should be more detailed, and clearly de-fine the limits for response due to available equip-ment and training.

Make sure your workplace occupational health and safety committee is looking at the emergency pre-paredness training, plans and policy and the annual evacuation drill outlined in these regulations.

To prepare families and homes visit the Provincial Emergency Program website at www.pep.bc.ca.

it is important to prepare for the next shake up, whenever it comes. For questions and help contact steve Milne, wcB appeals/oh&s coordinator at 604-299-0378, 1-800-665-6838 or [email protected].

Taken from:

The WCB

Occupational

Health & Safety

Regulation

(OHSR)

8.5 9.00 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 5.0 5.5 6.0 6.5 7.0 7.5

RICHteR SCale for eaRtHQuakeS

Port alice (near)2014 6.6 Richter

haida Gwaii (near)2012 7.7 Richter

san fransisco 1970 7.4 Richter

Queen charlotte fault1949 8.1 Richter

8.0


worksafeBc and Labour heritage centre film collaboration

workInG hIsTory

By roBIn foLVIk, LaBour herITaGe cenTre researcher

before 1974, provincial ambulance services did not exist. For those in rural or isolated communities, the absence of an organized emergency response system meant valuable time was often lost before the injured or ill received necessary medical attention. Even in urban areas, where private ambulance services might exist, companies were only equipped to handle a cer-tain number of cases. Volunteers across the province worked to fi ll in the gaps, often self-trained and with few resources.

The story of one of those volunteers, Lloyd Obrien, is the subject of the fi rst short fi lm released by Work-SafebC and the Labour Heritage Centre as part of a se-ries on the history of health and safety in british Colum-bia. To date, fi ve fi lms are available while another two are in production.

in addition to the history of the bC Ambulance Ser-vice, three fi lms highlight diff erent individuals eff orts to improve health and safety in the forest sector: Al Lund-gren; Verna Ledger; and Jack Munro, founding chair of the Labour Heritage Centre. The fi fth and most recent fi lm remembers the four construction workers killed in 1981 during the building of bentall iV in downtown Van-couver. This fi lm was part of this years annual memorial service and has recently been made available online.

Each of these stories, told through interviews, his-torical photographs and moving images, help us all re-member the importance of advocating for healthy and safe work environments for all british Columbia ns.

Sadly, both Lloyd Obrien and Jack Munro are no longer with us but their contributions continue to ben-efi t the lives of british Columbians every day.

"History of health and safety pioneers in British Columbia"

www.labourheritagecentre.ca www.youtube.com/Labourheritagecentre www.labourheritagecentre.ca www.youtube.com/Labourheritagecentre

to WatCH tHe FIlmS oNlINe VISIt:

www.labourheritagecentre.ca www.youtube.com/Labourheritagecentre


celebrating 10 years as an Independent canadian unioncoPe 378

On June 20, 2004, several Canadian members of the Offi ce and Professional Employees interna-tional union (OPEiu), led by former Local 378 President Jerri New, walked into a Florida hotel room and handed a stunned and speechless group of Ameri-can labour leaders a divorce letter.

74 per cent of the OPEius Canadian membership 24,410 people from provinces and territories from coast to coast to coast decided it was time to form an independent union, as Canadian as maple syrup. The Canadian Offi ce and Professional Employees union (le syndicat canadien des employes et employs professi-onnels et de bureau, in French, or COPE SEPb) was born.

The catalyst for this dramatic move came in March of 2004 in a meeting when the president of the OPEiu, Michael goodwin, defended a controver-sial decision to raise Canadian dues by two dollars per member per month. To demonstrate the low relative value of the Canadian dollar, goodwin pulled out Mo-nopoly money in the meeting to represent Canadian currency. The Canadians were shocked at the lack of tact and understanding.

The Canadians argued that their members would be paying a higher percentage of dues to their wages than their American coun-terparts. in b.C., members of public sec-tor unions were facing the pressure of wage controls and would balk against a dues increase. And while the Americans claimed the low value of the Canadian dollar meant the international union was

subsidizing the services they gave Canadian members, Canadians felt they saw little in the way of services from the international union at all; no international staff rep-resentatives, no lobbying of Ottawa.

There were so many locals across Canada who couldnt aff ord that large a per-capita increase, said New. We knew we had to stick together.

The Canadians quickly pulled together a campaign plan to exercise a clause in the international constitution that would allow them to break away from the OPEiu and launched into high gear. To leave, they would have to get a majority of their members across the country to affi rm they wanted a Canadian-only union. They only had a handful of months before the June 2004 OPEiu convention where the international union would try to bind the Canadians by removing that clause from the constitution.

Former COPE 378 President Andy Ross headed up the eff orts in b.C. We treated it like an election cam-paign, said Ross. We identifi ed all our members, got in touch with them, sent them our message. And our message resonated well.

For Local 378, Canadian independence ended a re-lationship with the OPEiu that had begun some 49 years before. All who were involved in the decision agreed it was a diffi cult choice, but ultimately, the right one.

Ten years on, COPE 378 salutes all members of COPE SEPb who took part in that move for Canadian independence. Through their eff orts and determination, unionized offi ce workers in Canada gained stewardship over their own destiny.

2004

2014

The name game...

By saGe aaron, coMMunIcaTIons dIrecTor


PrIde

Petro

Koromvokis

QuiLTbAg is a sub-committee of the COPE 378 Human Rights Committee. QuiLTbAg stands for Queer/Questioning, undecided, intersex,

Lesbian, Transgender/Transsexual, bisexual, Allied/Asexual, gay/genderqueer.

VIVIaN Ho

growing up in a diverse community in the city of Toronto, Ontario gave me a diff erent outlook on life and observations of my surroundings. in the educational system we were taught to treat everyone equally, and those are the values i still live by. i've met many people, made many friends and acquaintances with individuals of many religions, cultures, ethnicities, ages and sexual orientations. im an advocate for the QuiLTbAg Com-mittee; i believe in equality for all people.

Over the years, ive encountered many unjust situa-tions where students at my university were taunted and teased about their sexual orientation. The students were outnumbered and timid; they refused to fi ght back and take a stance. My professor and i sought justice on the students behalf by confronting those who were throw-ing discriminatory jokes at my classmates. The off end-ers didnt think their actions could cause such distress. Acknowledging there is a problem and speaking up are the fi rst steps to making situations like this stop at the very beginning.

Come join our QuiLTbAg Committee and help us fi nd unity and equality for all.

PetRo koRomVokIS, QuIltbag chair and CoPe 378 executive board member

TRIGGER WARNING PETROS STORY CONTAINS HOMOPHOBIC LANGUAGE USED AGAINST HIM.

im a gay man in my late 40s and a COPE 378 mem-ber. im the child of immigrants, a Canadian with rights under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, a law-abid-ing member of society, who pays taxes, votes and yet

doesnt receive equal treatment from our society.Decorator, hairdresser, waiter, fl orist and dancer are

the traditional roles set out for gay men, not the role of athlete, policeman, boy Scout or fi refi ghter; yet we are those as well. in reality, im one of the invisible and disposable. Harsh words but so true.

in 1998 i became a depot clerk at the bus company, and it wasnt long before there were incidents. Some-one wrote DiE FAggOT and obscene drawings with paint on my car. i was asked by fellow clerks if i was gay, because they wanted to make sure i was not going to hit on them. My employer ignored derogatory bath-room graffi ti; instead of painting over it i was told to man up and not let it upset me when i drew the line and complained. it was only changed when the man-ager found out he was the subject of the comments, not me.

i have to say even in the union i feel invisible and i am sure there are others who feel the same way. but i know COPE 378 is trying.

Even though weve come a long way in Canada theres still a long way to go. urban centres mostly al-low for gay men and women to be themselves but were still invisible in rural areas. gay rights around the world arent universal. Our neighbor to the south has a lot to explain when it comes to sexual minority rights. And what about the repressive governments in the Middle East, former soviet bloc, and Africa?

My hope is for QuiLTbAg to help COPE 378 mem-bers learn about issues that have aff ected me and others as a gay person. They really aff ect all of us, because no one is truly free until we all are free to be ourselves.

coPe 378 QuILTBaG Members Talk about why They Got Involved

Im an advocate for the QUILTBAG Committee;

I believe in equality for all people.

Come JoIN

ouR QuIltbag

CommIttee

aND HelP uS

FIND uNItY

aND eQualItY

FoR all.


sPrInG 2014 edITIonBarGaInInG BrIefs

By sheLLey LockharT, caroL McLuskIe and kIM sMITh

aBsThe collective agreement expired on August 31, 2013. The members voted in favour of ratifying a new collective agreement, bringing bargaining to an end. The members received a signing bonus of $1,500 for full-time regular employees and $1,000 for part-time regular and casual employees.Nancy DeVries, Melanie Greenlaw, Mike Novak, Jane Tighe and Union Representative Karen Rockwell served on the unions bargaining com-mittee.

Bcaa serVIce cenTresThe collective agreement expires on September 30, 2014. COPE 378 has sent out the bargaining survey for members to complete. The bargaining committee is being determined and will be led by Union Representative Carrol Edwards.

Bcaa eMerGency road serVIce The collective agreement expires on September 30, 2014. COPE 378 has sent out the bargaining survey for members to complete. The bargaining committee is being determined and will be led by Union Representative Carrol Edwards.

BcGeu The collective agreement expired on March 31, 2014. Notice to begin bargaining will be served and the bargaining survey sent out to members soon. The bargaining committee is being determined and will be led by Union Representative Bonnie Merriman.

Bc hydro This collective agreement expired on March 31, 2014. The parties met to exchange proposals in March. Further dates were scheduled for the parties to meet in April, May and June. Andrea Foster, April Young, Bojan Bucic, Calvin Jonas, Rysa Kronebusch and Union Representative Barbara Junker serve on the unions bargain-ing committee.

Bc TransITAs of press time for the Local Voice, the committee met for bargaining for three days. Small housekeeping items were signed off. both parties have small agendas and should be into monetary items soon.Ann Marie Gregory, Debbie Yablonski, Don Showers, Alison MacDonald and Union Representative Kevin Payne serve on the unions bargaining committee.

BerLITz canadaThe collective agreement expired on June 30, 2011. A tentative agreement was reached and membership voted to accept the agreement, which pro-vides for a four year term and the addition of Family Day as a paid holiday. Bargaining was conducted by Union Representative Sarah Melsness.

canadIan freIGhTways LTd.The collective agreement expired on December 31, 2013. The bargaining committee met with the employer on April 14 and 15 and signed off on a number of proposals but came to an impasse over job security and wages. The bargaining team hopes to overcome these differences and get back to the table soon. Sue Heidinger, Lisa Main, Wesley Rickards and Union Representative Ken Howie serve on the unions bargaining committee.

coasT MounTaIn Bus co.The collective agreement expired on March 31, 2011. The members voted in favour of accepting the proposed terms of settlement in March of 2014. Presently the collective agreement is with the employer for copy editing. Stephen Von Sychowski, Ray Manning, Ron Williams, Doug Fergus and Union Representative Kevin Payne served on the unions bargaining committee.

cIaTuThe collective agreement expires on April 30, 2014. Notice to begin bar-gaining will be served and the bargaining survey sent out to members soon. The bargaining committee is being determined and will be led by Union Representative Bonnie Merriman.

coLuMBIa VaLLey credIT unIonThe collective agreement expires June 30, 2014. COPE 378 conducted a bargaining survey, tallied results and reviewed bargaining proposals. On March 5, the union has served notice to bargain and has set dates to meet with the employer in May. A membership meeting will be held in golden on April 23. Bonny MacLeod, Neva Essery and Union Representative Sarah Melsness serve on the unions bargaining committee.

coMMunITy saVInGs credIT unIonThe collective agreement expires June 30, 2014. COPE 378 has conducted the bargaining survey and tallied results. The bargaining committee served notice to bargain on March 5 and met on March 11 to review draft bargain-ing proposals. Loralee Dallas, Graeme Hutchison and Union Representative Sarah Mel-sness serve on the unions bargaining committee.

consTrucTIon, MaInTenance and aLLIed workers BarGaInInG councILThis is a new bargaining unit. Notice to begin bargaining will be served and the bargaining survey will be sent out to members soon. The bargaining committee is being determined and will be led by Union Representative Bonnie Merriman.

coraL caBs (rIchMond TaxI)The collective agreement expired on December 31, 2011. A tentative agreement was reached and on February 7, 2014, members voted to ac-cept the agreement. The agreement is for a five year term with wage in-creases of 1 per cent in the first year, 1 per cent in the second year, 1 per cent in the third year, 1 per cent in the fourth year and 2 per cent in the fifth year; as well as a signing bonus of $400 for full-time and part-time employees and implementation of direct deposit. Ernie Baliss and Union Representative Cathy Hirani served on the unions bargaining committee.

cuPe Bc & LocaLsThe collective agreement expired on December 31, 2013. Notice to begin bargaining will be served soon. The bargaining committee met on April 15, 2014 to complete preparation of proposals. Lori Watt, Nadine Ford and Union Representative Cheryl Popeniuk serve on the unions bargaining committee.

dw serVIces This is a newly organized bargaining unit. A tentative agreement was reached and ratified by membership and employer. We are in process of producing this first collective agreement for distribution. Bargaining was conducted by Union Representative Carrol Edwards.

forTIs enerGy-cscThe collective agreement expired on March 31, 2014. The members have been surveyed and proposals have been developed. The parties met in February to begin bargaining. A tentative agreement was reached but was rejected by the membership. Meetings have been held with members to identify why the agreement was not ratified.Frederick Boudrias, Kathryn Prinz, Kelly Barret, Lea McNaughton and Senior Union Representative Brad Bastien serve on the bargaining com-mittee.

handy PackThe collective agreement for the members at this bargaining unit expired on May 31 2013. The parties are close to coming to a tentative agreement to take back to the membership. Bargaining is being conducted by Union Representative Mike Novak.

herTzThe collective agreement expired on October 31, 2013. A tentative agree-ment was reached and on February 25, 2014, members voted to accept the agreement. The agreement provides for a three year term; wage in-creases of 2 per cent, 3 per cent and 3 per cent; increases in safety boot allowance, vision care and bereavement leave. Jim Fu, Shelly Keilbart, Praveen Kumar, Shahzad Mansoory and Union Representative Cathy Hirani served on the unions bargaining committee.

IaMaw (canadIan aIrways) LocaL LodGe no 764 This is a new bargaining unit. Notice to begin bargaining will be served and the bargaining survey will be sent out to the membership soon for their input. The bargaining committee is being determined and will be led by Union Representative Bonnie Merriman.

IaMaw TransPorTaTIon dIsTrIcT LodGe no 140This is a new bargaining unit. Notice to begin bargaining will be served and the bargaining survey will be sent out to the membership soon for their input. The bargaining committee is being determined and will be led by Union Representative Bonnie Merriman.


Is PuBLIshed By

Phone: 604-299-0378fax: 604-299-8211e-mail: [email protected] 1918-9753 coPe Local 378 Voice

coPe 378: President david Black Secretary-Treasurer Lori Mayhew

LocaL VoIce editor: sage aaron usw 2009desIGned By: dansk design Groupdanskdesigngroup.comPrInTed aT: Mitchell Press, Burnaby, B.c.

canadian office and Professional employees union, Local 378,2nd floor, 4595 canada way, Burnaby, B.c. V5G 1J9PosTaL aGreeMenT #41267023

BarGaInInG BrIefs

IaMaw dIsTrIcT LodGe no 250This is a new bargaining unit. Notice to begin bargaining will be served and the bargaining survey will be sent out to the membership soon for their input. The bargaining committee is being determined and will be led by Union Representative Bonnie Merriman.

IcBcThe collective agreement expires on June 30, 2014. Notice to begin bar-gaining has been served and the bargaining survey has been sent out to the membership for their input. Yasmin Carroll, Karin Cirez, Mike Ferguson, Joyce Galuska, Trevor Han-sen, Annette Toth and a senior union representative will serve on the unions bargaining committee.

keLowna caBsThe collective agreement expired on May 31, 2013. bargaining started on October 21 with a second meeting on December 17. The union had re-quested the assistance of a mediator to conclude bargaining, but media-tion has been put on hold pending an interpretation of the prior negotiated settlement. Mark Atkinson remains the mediator for that prior agreement.Al Lewis and Union Representative Barry Hodson serve on the unions bargaining committee.

kekInow naTIVe housInG socIeTyThe collective agreement expired on March 31, 2010. bargaining was set to resume in February, 2014 but has been delayed due to unforeseen cir-cumstances. The parties are committed to rescheduling as soon as pos-sible. Terry Frank and Union Representative Cheryl Popeniuk serve on the unions bargaining committee.

MacLures caBsThe collective agreement expired on March 14, 2014. COPE 378s propos-als have been drafted, but the union has been unsuccessful in getting the employer to agree to meet and has asked for assistance from the Labour Relations board to set bargaining dates. David Clancy and Union Representative Barry Hodson serve on the unions bargaining committee.

MasTer Trade unIonThe collective agreement expired on December 31, 2013. Notice to begin bargaining was served on December 5, 2013 and the bargaining survey was sent out to the membership for their input. Due to employers exiting the collective agreement we have waited to see who the employer unit will be made up of. The bargaining committee is being determined and will be led by Union Representative Bonnie Merriman.

new deMocraTIc ParTyThe collective agreement expired on June 30, 2013. The parties met in March, 2014 to discuss the bargaining framework and plans to proceed with bargaining. Proposals were exchanged during the week of April 14 and additional bargaining dates were set at that time. Karl Riley and Union Representative Stephen Von Sychowski serve on the unions bargaining committee.

seIu LocaL 2The collective agreement expired on December 31, 2013. Notice to begin bargaining will be served and the members input has been received in the union office. Bargaining will be conducted by Union Representative Bonnie Merri-man.

TeaMsTers LocaL 155The collective agreement expired on March 31, 2014. Notice to begin bargaining will be served and the bargaining survey will be sent out to members soon. The bargaining committee is being determined and will be led by Union Representative Bonnie Merriman.

ThunderBIrd wsThe collective agreement for this bargaining unit expired on March 31, 2014. The bargaining committee is in the process of compiling proposals.Bargaining will be conducted by Union Representative Barbara Junker.

TsML (TransIT PoLIce)The parties met at mediation on April 22 and 23 with grant McArthur. Par-ties have been able to sign off on minor housekeeping items. Aaron Chan, Dan Dickhout, Dan McLacklan, Don Mace, Renata Cle-ments, Robert Gladwin and Union Representative Kevin Payne serve on the unions bargaining committee.

TwuThe collective agreement expired on July 31, 2011. The unions bargaining committee has met and finalized proposals. Negotiations were held on March 26, 2014 and further dates are set for June 5, 6 and 7. Linda Lund, Bill Nielsen and Union Representative Cheryl Popeniuk serve on the unions bargaining committee.

unIfor 1928The collective agreement expired in December of 2005. The parties are close to a tentative agreement and are working on finding dates to finalize the contract. Bargaining is being conducted by Union Representative Bonnie Mer-riman.

VancouVer TaxI (cenTraL TaxI dIsPaTch)The collective agreement expired on June 30, 2011. The union held a rati-fication vote on March 21, 2014 and the membership rejected the tentative agreement. The unions bargaining committee is meeting to discuss next steps. Bernie Stroh and Union Representative Dave Park serve on the unions bargaining committee.

VIcTorIa Trade unIonThe collective agreement expires on July 31, 2014. Notice to begin bar-gaining will be served and the bargaining survey will be sent out to mem-bers soon. The bargaining committee is being determined and will be led by Union Representative Bonnie Merriman.

workInG enTerPrIses The collective agreement expires on May 31, 2014. Notice to begin bargain-ing has been served. bargaining dates were set for April 24, May 1 and 2. Dana Richmond and Union Representative Cheryl Popeniuk serve on the unions bargaining committee.

More info at cope378.ca


12 The Advocate, May2011

1. Helps to build solidarity across the generations, strengthens the labour movement, and supports the fight for a civil society and social justice for retired workers, active workers who are 50 or older, and our families.

2. Includes free $2,500 coverage in BC FORUMs Group Accident Insurance Plan with world-wide death and disability coverage to age 86 (the maximum we were able to negotiate).

3. Entitles you to special negotiated group rates on many products and services, including:

Home and tenant insurance

Extended health and dental coverage

Travel package discounts and insurance

Professional financial planning and advice

Income tax services

4. Includes a free subscription to the BC FORUM newsletter, The Advocate, keeping you in touch with issues that affect retired workers and our families.

Keep building the movement join or renew today!of group negotiations.

Membership dues are $20 a year or $49 for three years. Your mem-bership includes free coverage under BC FORUMs $2,500 group accident insurance plan. Optional benefits in-clude homeowner, tenant, extended health, dental, and travel insurance.

Members also have access to fi-nancial advice and planning, dis-

BC FORUM is a registered non-profit society for retired union members, and active members age 50 and over. We are dedicated to representing the interests and well-being of members, their families and spouses.

Membership in BC FORUM allows you to realize the kind of savings on programs, services and products that are only possible through the power

counts on selected travel packages and income tax services. Our news-letter, The Advocate, will inform you about current initiatives.

There are more than 100,000 re-tired union members in B.C. Togeth-er, we can be a powerful voice for the well-being of our families.

Join or renew by sending in the form below, or online at www.bcforum.ca.

Membership Application or Renewal

B.C. Federation of Retired Union Members #200-5118JoyceSt.,Vancouver,V5R4H1 604688-45651800896-5678Fax:[email protected]

Name: |__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|

Address: |__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|

Phone: |__|__|__| |__|__|__|__|__|__|__| E-mail: |__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|

Union: |__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__| Date of birth:* |__|__| |__|__| |__|__|__|__|

Spouses name: |__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__| Spouses birth date:* |__|__| |__|__| |__|__|__|__| DAY MONTH YEAR

qNewqRenewal

I am enclosing a cheque for q $20 - 1 year q $49 - 3 years, orPlease charge my q Visa or q MasterCard:Cardnumber: |__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|Expirydate: |__|__| / |__|__| Automatic renewal?** q Yes q No

SIGNATURE

LAST FIRST INITIAL

STREET ADDRESS CITY POSTAL CODE

DAY MONTH YEAR

* Required for your free group insurance coverage ** Only available via credit card

Date of application: |__|__| |__|__| |__|__|__|__| DAY MONTH YEAR

#

YOUR MEMBERSHIP IN BC FORUM:

Bc foruM

reTIred or aPProachInG reTIreMenT

It is COPE 378 policy

to pay for the first

years BC FORUM

membership for

retired COPE 378

members with

at least 20 years

service. Retired

members wishing to

have their first years

membership paid

by the local should

forward a completed

membership

application form

to the COPE 378

Burnaby office with

their request for

processing.

You can also renew

online at bcforum.ca

1. Helps to build solidarity across the generations, strengthens the labour movement, and sup-ports the fight for a civil society and social justice for retired workers, active workers who are 50 or older, and our families.

2. Includes free $2,500 coverage in BC FORUMs Group Accident Insurance Plan with world-wide death and disability coverage to age 86 (the maximum we were able to negotiate).

3. Entitles you to special negotiated group rates on many products and services, including: Home and tenant insurance Extended health and dental coverage Travel package discounts and insurance

4. Includes a free subscription to the BC FORUM newsletter, The Advocate, keeping you in touch with issues that affect retired workers and our families.

FORUM is a regis-tered nonprofit soci-ety for retired union

members, and active members age 50 and over. We are dedicated to repre-senting the interests and well-being of members, their families and spouses.

Membership in BC FORUM allows you to realize the kind of savings on programs, services and products that

are only possible through the power of group negotiations.

Membership dues are $20 a year or $49 for three years. Your mem-bership includes free coverage un-der BC FORUMs $2,500 group accident insurance plan. Optional benefits include homeowner, ten-ant, extended health, dental, and travel insurance.

Members also have access to dis-counts on selected travel packages. Our newsletter, The Advocate, will inform you about current initiatives. There are more than 100,000 retired union members in B.C. Together, we can be a powerful voice for the well-being of our families.

Join or renew by sending in the form be-low, or online at www.bcforum.ca.

BC


coPe 378 members work at the following properties

accenture Business servicesunion Rep: Tony geluch

alma Mater societyunion Rep: Carrol Edwards

alma Mater society securityunion Rep: Carrol Edwards

aviscarunion Rep: Cathy Hirani

Bcaa sc & ersunion Rep: Carrol Edwards

Bc computerized dispatch (yellow cab)union Rep: barry Hodson

Bc federation of Labourunion Rep: Cheryl Popeniuk

Bc ferry & Marine workers unionunion Rep: Cheryl Popeniuk

BcGeuunion Rep: bonnie Merriman

Bc hydro (including Powertech construction services)union Reps: barbara Junker, Karen Rockwell

Bc nurses union union Rep: bonnie Merriman

Bc Transitunion Rep: Kevin Payne

Beach Place Venturesunion Rep: barry Hodson

Berlitz canadaunion Rep: Trevor Hansen

Bonnys Taxiunion Rep: barry Hodson

canadian freightways Ltd.union Rep: Kevin Payne

canadian northern shield/rsaunion Rep: Cheryl Popeniuk

capilano universityunion Rep: Karen Rockwell

carpenters Local 1928union Rep: bonnie Merriman

catalyst Paperunion Rep: Tony geluch

cIaTuunion Rep: bonnie Merriman

coast Mountain Busunion Rep: Kevin Payne

coastal community credit unionunion Rep: Sarah Melsness

coastal community financial Managementunion Rep: Sarah Melsness

coastal community Insuranceunion Rep: Sarah Melsness

college of Pharmacists of Bcunion Rep: Tony geluch

college of registered nursesunion Rep: Tony geluch

columbia hydrounion Rep: brad bastien

columbia Valley credit unionunion Rep: Sarah Melsness

community savings credit unionunion Rep: Sarah Melsness

coral cabs (richmond Taxi)union Rep: barry Hodson

cuPe 374union Rep: Cheryl Popeniuk




cuPe Bc & Localsunion Rep: Cheryl Popeniuk

da Townley & associatesunion Rep: Cheryl Popeniuk

dollar Thriftyunion Rep: Cathy Hirani

dw servicesunion Rep: Trevor Hansen

ecojusticeunion Rep: Cheryl Popeniuk

enterprise rent-a-carunion Rep: Cathy Hirani

fortisBc customer service centresunion Rep: Cindy Lee

fortisBc energy Inc.union Rep: Cindy Lee

fortisBc Inc.union Rep: Cindy Lee

Gulf & fraser fishermens credit unionunion Rep: Sarah Melsness

handy Packunion Rep: Cindy Lee

hastings entertainment Inc.union Rep: Tony geluch

hertzunion Rep: Cathy Hirani

IcBcunion Reps: Ken Howie, Kelly Quinn, Stephen Von Sychowski

Island savings credit union and Insuranceunion Rep: Sarah Melsness

Iwa forest Industry PPunion Rep: Cheryl Popeniuk

kekinow native housing societyunion Rep: Cheryl Popeniuk

kelowna cabs Ltd.union Rep: barry Hodson

konica Minoltaunion Rep: Trevor Hansen

kruger Products (scott Paper)union Rep: Karen Rockwell

Ladysmith & district cuunion Rep: Sarah Melsness

Lake city casinosunion Rep: Trevor Hansen

LuMa native housing societyunion Rep: Cheryl Popeniuk

MacLures cabs Ltd.union Rep: barry Hodson

Marine workers & Boilermakersunion Rep: bonnie Merriman

Master Trade officeunion Rep: bonnie Merriman

new democratic Partyunion Rep: Cheryl Popeniuk

Pacific Vehicle Testingunion Rep: Kevin Payne

schneiderunion Rep: Cathy Hirani

seaspan International Ltd.union Rep: Kevin Payne

seIu 244union Rep: bonnie Merriman

southern railwayunion Rep: Cindy Lee

Teamsters Local 31union Rep: bonnie Merriman

Teamsters Local 155union Rep: bonnie Merriman

Teamsters Local 213 & 213 Member Benefit Planunion Rep: bonnie Merriman

Telecommunications workers union (Twu)union Rep: Cheryl Popeniuk

Telecommunication workers Pension Planunion Rep: Cheryl Popeniuk

Teletheatre Bcunion Rep: Doug Jefs

Thunderbird winter sportsunion Rep: barbara Junker

TransLinkunion Rep: Kevin Payne

Transit Policeunion Rep: Kevin Payne

Tree Islandunion Rep: Cindy Lee

united fishermen & allied worker unionunion Rep: bonnie Merriman

Vancouver Musicians associationunion Rep: bonnie Merriman

Vancouver shipyards Ltd.union Rep: Kevin Payne

Vancouver Taxi Ltd. (central Taxi dispatch)union Rep: barry Hodson

Vantageone credit unionunion Rep: Sarah Melsness

Victoria shipyards Ltd.union Rep: Kevin Payne

Victoria Trade unionunion Rep: bonnie Merriman

westminster savings credit unionunion Rep: Sarah Melsness

working enterprisesunion Rep: Cheryl Popeniuk

xylem water solutionsunion Rep: Tony geluch

yellow Pagesunion Rep: Cheryl Popeniuk


RETURN UNDELIVERABLECANADIAN ADDRESSES TO:#200 - 4595 CANADA WAY,BURNABY, B.C. V5G 1J9

PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 41267023

CuSTOM CARTOONS FOR COPE 378 MEMbERS

local voice may 2014

Documents