Custodians, caretakers, building service workers and similar classifications had a choice of two call-in times to accommodate their shift schedules on the latest Zoom calls held yesterday.

Many spoke about the impacts of ongoing cuts to custodians by the previous BC Liberal government.

Big issues for this group include workload, inadequate replacement when they are off, lack of training and orientation for new custodians, and concerns about chemicals being used in schools. Members exchanged information on the different types of spray machines districts are using for sanitation, as well as the system districts use to calculate the amount of time needed to clean the school. Some are based on square metres and others are set by time allotted to each classroom.

Talking about the pandemic, many reported significant changes to their work with increased duties and additional expectations. An example is the additional responsibility to sanitize and maintain hand washing stations that require refilling by hand.

All agreed that maintaining daytime custodians was a priority even after the pandemic. Members also discussed their bargaining priorities.

The participants, including members, presidents, K-12 Presidents Council executive and staff, joined the discussion about working during the pandemic and ongoing challenges.

We are planning to schedule another call with this classification— likely on a Saturday morning — to accommodate various shift schedules.

These Zoom calls — hosted by the CUPE K-12 Presidents Council and CUPE National staff — will continue throughout April and May.

K-12 and early learning members are encouraged to take part in this exciting opportunity to hear from others who do the same or similar work, and to share information and priorities.

The next series of four calls for education assistants, SSWs, CEAs and similar classifications are on Tuesday, April 20 for the Okanagan and Kootenays; Thursday, April 22 for Northern B.C.; Tuesday, April 27 for Vancouver Island and in island communities, and Thursday, April 29 for EAs in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.

How to register      

Each call has a unique Zoom link which will take you to a separate registration form. You must register for each call you wish to attend. You will receive an email with your call information after you register. If you have any problem, please email: closito@cupe.ca

April 20    5:30 – 7:30 pm   Education Assistants, SSWs, CEAs, and similar classifications
working in the Okanagan and Kootenays

April 22    5:30 – 7:30 pm   Education Assistants, SSWs, CEAs, and similar classifications
working in Northern B.C.  

April 27    5:30 – 7:30 pm  Education Assistants, SSWs, CEAs, and similar classifications
working on Vancouver Island and in island communities

April 29    5:30 – 7:30 pm   Education Assistants, SSWs, CEAs, and similar classifications
working in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley

May 4     5:30 – 7:30 pm     Indigenous Support Workers, Youth and Family Workers, Library Support Staff and other direct student support classifications

May 6       5:30 – 7:30 pm   Tech Support, Technicians, and similar classifications

May 11     5:30 – 7:30 pm   Labourers, Grounds and Maintenance

May 13     5:30 – 7:30 pm   Meal Program Staff & Supervisors, including noon hour, Crossing Guards & others

May 17     5:30 – 7:30 pm   Strong Start, ECEs, and similar classifications

May 18     5:30 – 7:30 pm  Trades

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

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BURNABY—In a recent release, the B.C. Government recognized the contribution of staff, students and families to school communities throughout the province during Education Week (April 12 – April 18).

The release features CUPE 606 member, Sarah Marchand, a custodian at Cedar Elementary in the Nanaimo-Ladysmith school district.

“On behalf of our 100,000 members across the province, I want to thank all 30,000 CUPE members working in K-12 for the vital work they do to keep our public education system safe, inclusive and welcoming for all,” said CUPE BC President Paul Faoro, praising CUPE members for their contribution. “This year in particular, let’s all join together to acknowledge Education Week and thank a K-12 worker for everything they do.”

CUPE represents more than 30,000 education workers including: education assistants, school secretaries, custodians/caretakers, Indigenous support workers, IT workers, Strong Start facilitators, trades and maintenance workers, and bus drivers.

TRAIL—Acting on greater community need brought on by the pandemic, CUPE 1285 members—K-12 support workers in Trail, Castlegar, Rossland and Fruitvale—held a successful food drive this past weekend to support local food banks.

CUPE 1285 member Jaydeen Ashton, an education assistant at Stanley Humphries Secondary and the event organizer, said that the food drive’s success was beyond her expectations. “We saw smiles and energy, people being so generous that the organizations we donated to were overwhelmed, happy and grateful,” said Ashton. “It does your heart good.”

The event was also a rare opportunity for CUPE 1285 members to reconnect in person while following safety protocols in an outdoor environment, including the use of masks and hand sanitizer.

CUPE members braved the elements through a windstorm, snow, hail and rain, collecting donations of non-perishable items while connecting with local residents. The CUPE event was wholeheartedly supported by the community from the folks who came out to donate; to CUPE members, teachers and school administrators who collected food donations ahead of the drive; and local businesses.

CUPE 1285 President Heather Skarbo praised her members for their commitment to community and the hard work of organizing and coordinating the food drive. “Members really stepped up to support this good cause,” said Skarbo. “I’m so proud of everyone for helping our community. It was such a positive way to get our local out there and demonstrate how much CUPE members care.”

The drive was held out of two school buses provided by School District 20 (Kootenay-Columbia) in Castlegar and Trail. Organizations were asked ahead of time what their clients’ needs were and the buses were used to organize donations for each group accordingly. The Local had cash boxes at both sites for gift card and cash donations. At the end of the day, recipient organizations filled trucks and SUVs with donations.

As well as volunteers, community members, and local businesses, local labour organizations supported the CUPE event, including the Kootenay District Labour Council and Kootenay Columbia Teachers Union.

“I was exhausted but energized when I saw how many we were able to help as a result of that one day,” said Ashton. Organizations supported by the drive were Trail Salvation Army/Kate’s Kitchen, the United Church food bank in Trail, the Beaver Valley food bank, Castlegar Harvest food bank, the IRIS senior’s program in Castlegar, and the meals program of the New Assembly Church in Castlegar.

Visit the CUPE BC gallery to view photos.

Clerical and administrative K-12 members participated in the second of a series of Zoom meetings last night to share their experiences and issues.

Clerical members face increased stress as frontline workers who have all their regular duties to perform, plus additional pandemic-related work such as creating fillable forms. Often the work they do every day with students is not recognized.

Workload is a huge issue with this group. Other issues impacting their work include the absence of backfill when they are away and cuts to clerical support.

Members identified and discussed their bargaining priorities.

The group also brought up the ongoing issue of workplace violence. Members are advised to always file an incident report as well as to report acts of violence to their Health and Safety Committee representative.

Almost 100 participants, including members, presidents, K-12 Presidents Council executive and staff, joined the discussion about working during the pandemic and ongoing challenges.

These Zoom calls — hosted by the CUPE K-12 Presidents Council and CUPE National staff — will continue throughout April and May.

K-12 members are encouraged to take part in this exciting opportunity to hear from others who do the same or similar work, and to share information and priorities.

Custodians, caretakers, and building services workers are invited to participate in calls at either noon—2 pm or 5:30–7:30 pm tomorrow, April 15.

How to register      

Each call has a unique Zoom link which will take you to a separate registration form. You must register for each call you wish to attend. You will receive an email with your call information after you register. If you have any problem, please email: closito@cupe.ca

April 15    Noon – 2 pm       Custodians, Caretakers, Building Service Workers, and similar classifications
5:30 – 7:30 pm  (Choose one of two options.)

April 20    5:30 – 7:30 pm   Education Assistants, SSWs, CEAs, and similar classifications
working in the Okanagan and Kootenays

April 22    5:30 – 7:30 pm   Education Assistants, SSWs, CEAs, and similar classifications
working in Northern B.C.  

April 27    5:30 – 7:30 pm  Education Assistants, SSWs, CEAs, and similar classifications
working on Vancouver Island and in island communities

April 29    5:30 – 7:30 pm   Education Assistants, SSWs, CEAs, and similar classifications
working in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley

May 4     5:30 – 7:30 pm     Indigenous Support Workers, Youth and Family Workers, Library Support Staff and other direct student support classifications

May 6       5:30 – 7:30 pm   Tech Support, Technicians, and similar classifications

May 11     5:30 – 7:30 pm   Labourers, Grounds and Maintenance

May 13     5:30 – 7:30 pm   Meal Program Staff & Supervisors, including noon hour, Crossing Guards & others

May 17     5:30 – 7:30 pm   Strong Start, ECEs, and similar classifications

May 18     5:30 – 7:30 pm  Trades

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

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