SAANICH — CUPE 441 members who work in K-12 have taken a strike vote in support of their bargaining committee. Voting was held on nine occasions at two locations during the month of August, concluding on August 27. A large number of members voted with an overwhelming majority voting to take job action if necessary.

CUPE 441 President Dean Coates said that workers in School District 63 (Saanich) have received substantially lower wages than their counterparts in Sooke and Victoria for decades, and they want comparable wages with other districts on the South Island.

“The provincial framework agreement doesn’t meet the needs of our members. The employer recently began paying managers and administrators comparable wages because they see the value in attracting and keeping qualified people,” said Coates. “We want them to also recognize and value the contribution of support staff in Saanich schools.”

The local bargained with the employer on six occasions and held a strike vote so the employer would understand how important this issue is to members.

CUPE 441 members provide a wide variety of services that support students. Members include Education Assistants, Technical Support staff, Library Techs, Youth and Family Counsellors, Clerical, Custodial, Grounds, Maintenance, Transportation, Trades and District support staff. The local represents almost 500 K-12 support staff workers in SD63 (Saanich).

VERNON — CUPE 5523, K-12 support workers at School District 22 reached a tentative agreement on July 24 following six sessions of bargaining that began in June.

CUPE 5523 President Gray Boisvert said that this was a tough round of bargaining.

“We were able to make some advancements for our members during this session, thanks to the commitment and dedication of our bargaining team, who were brand new,” said Boisvert.

The tentative agreement also incorporates the provincial framework agreement approved by the K-12 Presidents Council in September. The current K-12 agreement expired on June 30, 2019. When ratified by CUPE locals and school district Boards of Trustees, the collective agreement will be in effect from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2022.

Further details of the tentative agreement will not be available until after ratification by all parties.

CUPE 5523 members, who provide a wide variety of services that support students, include Education Assistants, Indigenous Support Workers, Custodians, Trades, Clerical, Maintenance, IT, Administrative Support, Student Supervisors, and Bus Drivers. They provide K-12 support service to students in Vernon, Lumby and Cherryville.

RICHMOND — CUPE 716, K-12 support workers at School District 38, reached a tentative agreement on July 15 following 10 sessions of bargaining that began in early April.

CUPE 716 President Ian Hillman thanked everyone on the Local’s bargaining committee for their dedication and efforts on behalf of members.

“This was a difficult round of bargaining,” said Hillman. “Both parties worked hard and there are some issues we will continue to work on moving forward.”

The tentative agreement also incorporates the provincial framework agreement approved by the K-12 Presidents Council in September. The current K-12 agreement expired on June 30, 2019. When ratified by CUPE locals and school district boards of trustees, the collective agreement will be in effect from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2022.

Further details of the tentative agreement will not be available until after ratification by all parties. Ratification is expected to be completed in this month.

CUPE 716 members, who provide services that support students, include Education Assistants, Custodians, Clerical, Trades and Maintenance, IT, Administrative Support, Bus Drivers, Settlement & Cultural workers, plus many others. The Local of approximately 1,200 members provides support to 20,000 students at 38 elementary and 10 secondary schools in SD38 (Richmond).

To find out more about CUPE members working in K-12, visit bcschools.cupe.ca.

NANAIMO — CUPE 606, K-12 support workers at School District 68, reached a tentative agreement on Sunday, July 14 following many sessions of bargaining that began in early April.

“Our committee was pleased with the outcome at the end of the day,” said CUPE 606 President Rob Zver. “We were able to achieve improvements that will touch almost all members. We want to thank the employer’s bargaining committee for working in a positive way to attain a new Collective Agreement.”

The tentative agreement also incorporates the provincial framework agreement approved by the K-12 Presidents Council in September. The current K-12 agreement expired on June 30, 2019. When ratified by CUPE locals and school district boards of trustees, the collective agreement will be in effect from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2022.

Further details of the tentative agreement will not be available until after ratification by all parties. Ratification is expected to be completed in this month.

CUPE 606 members, who provide services that support students, include Education Assistants, Family Youth Child Support workers, Indigenous Support workers, Custodians, Clerical, Trades, Maintenance, Grounds, IT, Community School Coordinators, Cafeteria workers, Administrative Support, Bus Drivers, and Strong Start workers. The Local of 700-plus members provides K-12 support in 27 elementary and 7 secondary schools in SD68 (Nanaimo-Ladysmith).

VICTORIA — CUPE 382, K-12 outside support workers at School District 61, reached a tentative agreement on July 11 following four sessions of bargaining that began in June.

CUPE 382 President Fred Schmidt noted that bargaining was reasonable, with no outlandish demands on either side.

“This was an amazing learning experience,” said Schmidt. “It’s so gratifying to come to equal outcomes at the end, and I recommend that all members get involved at some point.”

The tentative agreement also incorporates the provincial framework agreement approved by the K-12 Presidents Council in September. The current K-12 agreement expired on June 30, 2019. When ratified by CUPE locals and school district boards of trustees, the collective agreement will be in effect from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2022.

Further details of the tentative agreement will not be available until after ratification by all parties. Ratification is expected to be completed in this month.

CUPE 382 members, who provide services that support students, include Custodians, Trades, Maintenance, and Grounds. They keep schools tidy and make them a pleasant place for students to learn; clear branches, snow and ice during inclement weather; keep grounds and fields a safe place for children to play and exercise; and maintain facilities and keep schools comfortable. They provide K-12 support service in Greater Victoria at 22 K-12 schools in School District 61.

To find out more about CUPE members working in K-12, visit bcschools.cupe.ca.