News

Bulletin – In Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples

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As we have all had time to reflect on the news from the former Tk’emlúps Indian Residential School in Kamloops, we would like to take the time to recognize our members that support the Indigenous communities in which these atrocities occurred.

Our heartfelt condolences go out to all Indigenous communities and families. We know this is one more devastating reality of colonialism that continues to harm them every day.

The K-12 Presidents Council Executive Board extend our deepest condolences to the Tk’emlúps te Secwe̓pemc First Nation. We stand in solidarity with Chief Rosanne Casimir and her community as it grieves.

We want to assure all that we stand in solidarity with those affected and we need to give our support to all CUPE members, particularly Indigenous members as they work to heal themselves and those that they support.

The Executive Board recognizes awareness is a journey that we all must undertake to honour and fulfill the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) 94 Calls to Action. Please take the time to discuss the Calls to Action and the truths contained in the TRC final report. A copy of the Calls to Action is attached, and the complete TRC report is available online from the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.

CUPE’s Walking the talk: A practical guide to reconciliation for CUPE locals is also available online with more helpful information on engaging in meaningful reconciliation. Please share these important resources with your membership so we can all do our part in reconciliation and to support Indigenous communities on their path to healing.

In Solidarity,

Your K-12 Presidents Council

A National Indian Residential School Crisis Line is available to provide support for Residential School Survivors and those affected. Emotional and crisis referral services are available by calling the 24-hour national crisis line at 1-866-925-4419.

Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action

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Campaign shines light on CUPE 728 members’ dedication

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SURREY—CUPE 728, the largest CUPE K-12 and early learning local in B.C., started an advertising campaign today to highlight some of the many services its 5,000 members provide in School District 36 – as well as their dedication to students and staff.

CUPE 728 President Tammy Murphy praised her members for their amazing commitment during the pandemic. “When people were able to stay home and still be paid, these members chose to come into work to prepare schools for the reopening,” said Murphy. “This was a scary time, and members from every department stepped up to make sure that kids, families and staff were taken care of.”

The campaign, running through December, features two different members each month in newspaper ads, on postcards and at cupe728.ca.

While it’s important for members to be recognized and acknowledged, said Murphy, the Local also wants to raise public awareness of the many and varied services they provide.

“Many people don’t realize that we have trades and non-trades departments that ensure schools and grounds are safe and things run smoothly, that we also have StrongStart and early childhood educators, or that CUPE members process payroll in the district,” she said. “We hope this campaign helps change that.”

CUPE 728 represents 5,000 members who support students and schools in Surrey School District 36.

Bulletin – B.C. announces vaccine availability to age 12 and launches restart plan

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The Government of B.C. announced its four-step plan, guided by data, for a careful and safe restart yesterday. The plan allows for a gradual return to “more normal life” and maintains protocols of wearing masks and physical distancing in the first two steps. Details of the plan and more information can be found here.

K-12 and early learning will continue to operate under existing safety protocols during steps 1 and 2. The COVID-19 steering committee will continue to work with public health officials to update safety guidelines in preparation for the return to classes in the fall.

“This pandemic has highlighted the important role K-12 members play in this sector, including dayshift custodians who provide valuable health and safety services to all students and staff,” said K-12 Presidents Council President Paul Simpson.

SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF VACCINES 

Announcements made last week on the safety, availability, and two-dose efficacy (as high as 100%) for ages 12-17 were extremely positive.

An increasing percentage of the general population is getting vaccinated, which is contributing to decreased levels of infection and serious illness or death. Including at least a portion of school-aged youth in the vaccinated population will provide a critical layer of protection to CUPE members in this sector.

 

The four-step plan will progress through the steps based on number of adults vaccinated, COVID-19 case counts, hospitalizations and deaths, and consideration of clusters and outbreaks.

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Please follow us @cupek12bc on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and view bulletins at https://bcschools.cupe.ca.

Bulletin – Trades members have a frank and open discussion

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CUPE members working in trades have played a crucial role during the pandemic, putting in safety measures to keep schools safe and thereby helping to keep the economy open.

As well as discussing the impact of the pandemic and identifying concerns for bargaining, members took the opportunity for frank discussion on a variety of topics. Local presidents and members of the K-12 Presidents Council executive offered
advice and shared experiences on the topics at hand.

IMPACT OF THE PANDEMIC

  • productivity has decreased because of added recesses and lunches taking time away from areas where trades would normally have access
  • equipment on grounds has to be shut down when students are present and more is done outdoors so even though these trades don’t go into schools, they have more down time
  • increased workload due to added handwashing and sanitizing stations that were installed and need upkeep
  • ventilation is a big challenge with additional systems being installed and more filters being changed

CONTRACTING OUT

Outdoor classrooms are being built and the work would ideally be done by CUPE carpenters but some districts say there’s too much work and want to contract it out. Contracting out trades work is a common concern in many locals. Creating
apprenticeships and training opportunities as a way to create good jobs and recruit more trades people was suggested.

JOINT JOB EVALUATION

Joint job evaluation, looking at the labour market, and considering recruitment and retention as well as equity as part of the process was discussed from a trades perspective.

This call was the last regularly scheduled call in this popular and successful series. One additional Saturday call has been added so that caretakers, custodians, and building maintenance workers unable to join a weekday call, have the opportunity to have their voices heard.

The K-12 Presidents Council would like to thank all members for their important contribution and input on all calls, as well as the many local presidents who participated, and staff. Information from all classifications will be invaluable as we begin to prepare for bargaining. 

ADDITIONAL CALL ADDED

We have scheduled an additional meeting for custodians, caretakers, building service workers, and similar classifications in response to member requests. Please join us for the last call in this series.

Saturday, June 5 at 10 am

Your K-12 Presidents Council executive and CUPE National staff look forward to hearing from you.

REGISTER HERE:

Members are able to register for the final classification call up to and including the day of the call, before the meeting starts.

June 5      10:00 am – noon  Custodians, Caretakers, Building Service Workers, and similar classifications

Please follow us @cupek12bc on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and view bulletins at https://bcschools.cupe.ca.

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Calling all custodians, caretakers, and others to join the conversation and share your priorities about work

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How to register

Click on the link below to register for this additional call added to allow more custodians, caretakers, building service workers and similar classifications to participate. When you click “Submit”, a unique Zoom link to register for the meeting you have selected will open in a new window. You will receive an email with your call information after you register. If you have any problem, please email: closito@cupe.ca

Register here

We have scheduled an additional meeting for custodians, caretakers, building service workers, and similar classifications in response to member requests. Please join us for the last call in this series.

Saturday, June 5 at 10 am

Your K-12 Presidents Council executive and CUPE National staff look forward to hearing from you.