5 Day Human Rights Initiative – Prairie & Pacific

 WHEN: September 25 – 29 2023

WHERE: Lakeview Gimli Resort

Gimli, Manitoba

COURSE: Turtle Island 

The Turtle Island course aims to build meaningful, long-term relationships with and among Indigenous peoples inside and outside our workplaces. The course identifies key moments in indigenous peoples’ history in Canada, connects these historical events to the current context, and debunks myths and stereotypes. It concludes with participants identifying ways to act as effective and respectful allies to Indigenous peoples in their struggle for decolonization. This opportunity will also contain a continued emphasis on becoming a facilitator on this material. It should also be noted that ONLY those who identify as Indigenous will be asked to facilitate the Turtle Island course.

Please note that this educational opportunity has been requested by the previous National Human Rights Committee and passed by the outgoing National Executive Board. The intention is to primarily provide this course to those who identify as Indigenous with the hope of building participants up to one day facilitate this life changing course to all CUPW workers. With this is mind, we are strongly encouraging those who identify as Indigenous to apply. Should we not be able to fill the class with those who identify as Indigenous, we will fill it with other applicants – so all are encouraged to apply.

This education program falls under Article 11.06 of the National Constitution and expenses for delegates are paid under Article 7.42, which include meals, transportation and accommodation. Reimbursement for childcare expenses is also available. The Union encourages all members to access this right of membership and learn how to make your own working life and that of your co-workers better.

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CUPW Supports the ILWU Workers Right to Strike

OTTAWA – The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) is urging the B.C. Maritime Employers Association to return to the bargaining table and negotiate a fair deal that meets the needs of the almost 7,500 port workers represented by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU).

Key issues remaining include fair wages, protections against automation, and the contracting out of maintenance work.

“These workers want wages that support their families and communities, and they want to know that their jobs are valued and secure,” says Jan Simpson, CUPW National President. “CUPW is offering our full support and solidarity to the members of ILWU as their fight is a fight for all Canadian workers.”

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JULY GMM

General Membership Meeting
SATURDAY, July 29th at 10am

The meeting will be held in person at:
The Maritime Labour Centre
1880 Triumph Street
(Parking available in the rear off Pandora Street)

AGENDA FOR THE JULY GMM:

1. Land Acknowledgment
2. Reading of Truth and Reconciliation: Calls to Action
3. Reading of new members
4. Reading of the previous meeting’s minutes
5. Business arising out of the minutes
6. New Business
7. Nominations and elections:
1. Education Director

 2. Executive steward (MSC)
 3. Executive Steward (external)

 4. Organization Committee (1)

8. Executive Committee Motions
9. Unfinished business
10. Correspondence
11. Executive and Committee Reports
12. Good and Welfare
13. Adjournment

In Solidarity,

Anju Parmar, President
Vancouver Local                    lb/CUPE-3888

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Urban COLA Payment on the Way for First Quarter of 2023

Our Cost of Living Allowance will take effect for the fourth consecutive quarter to help members deal with inflation.

Please note, the information below is subject to change should we win our National Grievance (N00-22-00005). In dispute is the date of the base month for the calculations of COLA amounts owed. Canada Post Corporation has confirmed that it will pay the COLA payments as below, calculated in accordance with their position on the base month.

AMOUNTS

The COLA is reviewed and paid quarterly, if required. The quarter in question is February to April 2023.

In CPC’s view, the base month for the COLA in the contract renewal is January 2022. The January 2022 CPI was 145.3, so the adjusted index for comparison is 153.0. The April 2023 CPI was 156.4, which exceeds the adjusted index by 3.4.

Therefore, Urban members will be paid a COLA of 67 cents ($0.67) per hour for hours paid in that three-month period.

SAMPLE CALCULATION

The allowance is calculated for all hours paid from February 1st to April 30th, so calculations will vary from member to member. As a baseline though, a member who worked full time throughout the quarter will have 504 hours excluding overtime. At 67 cents ($0.67) per hour, the Cost of Living Allowance would be $337.68.

The payments are scheduled to be paid as a lump sum on your July 6, 2023 pay.

In Solidarity,

Carl Girouard
National Grievance Officer
2023/2027 Bulletin #022 /fc-cope 225

 

June is Indigenous People’s Month

The Vancouver local is asking our members to take time to reflect on the contributions, challenges, and traditions of Indigenous people throughout Turtle Island on June 21st – Indigenous People’s Day. In Vancouver, on Wednesday, June 21st, people are invited to join and march from 1607 East Hastings (where this mural is on display). The march will start at 11am and go to Grandview Park on Commercial Drive, or you can meet at the park from Noon to 3pm for this special event.

There is also The Talking Stick Festival- an Indigenous festival that has a number of events scheduled. Check out their website at talkingstick.ca or fullcircle.ca

The Vancouver Public Library will also be hosting indigenous speakers and films throughout June, check VPL.ca for more details

We ask members to look into events in the communities in which they live. We insist this is NOT a holiday, but a day to reflect, learn, and get involved in the Indigenous people and traditional land which we reside on.

 

SUMMER INSTITUTE FOR UNION WOMEN

PORTLAND OREGON/ JUNE 25 TO JUNE 28,2023

SIUW is a comprehensive leadership institute consisting of skills building workshops, cultural activities, and education sessions designed to expand our understanding of solidarity and rebuild connections across our region. This event is for all cis and trans women, non-binary, queer, questioning, and those who are comfortable in a space that centers our experiences.

This year the Vancouver Local have selected Sister Wendy Khanna (PPC) and Sister Megan Bailey (SVDC) to attend SIUW 2023.

Many thanks to all other sisters for putting their names forward.

In Solidarity,

Anju Parmar, President