NECHAKO LAKES — CUPE 4177, K-12 support workers at SD91 (Nechako Lakes), reached a tentative agreement on Friday. The two parties started bargaining June 11 and after four sessions, including some 12-hour days, wrapped it up with signatures on June 21.

“We had the best bargaining committee in place that there could ever be,” said CUPE 4177 President Florence Robertson.

Robertson said that despite the best efforts of both parties, their expectations were hindered because of an unclear process around Service Improvement Allocation.

“From our perspective, bargaining was disappointing because there wasn’t enough clarity on bargaining the local funds negotiated under the provincial framework agreement,” said Robertson.

The provincial framework agreement (PFA) approved by the K-12 Presidents’ Council in September forms part of the tentative agreement. The current K-12 agreement expires on June 30, 2019. When ratified by CUPE locals and school districts, the provincial 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 this month.

CUPE 4177 members provide a wide variety of services that support students including Education Assistants, Aboriginal Support Workers, Child Care Workers, Custodians, Trades, Clerical, Bus Drivers, Maintenance, IT and Administrative Support.

The Local represents between 300 and 400 members in K-12 who provide support services to more than 3,500 students in Fort St James, Vanderhoof, Fraser Lake, Grassy Plains, Granisle, Francois Lake and Burns Lake.

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

FORT ST. JOHN — CUPE 4653, K-12 support workers in SD60 (Peace River North) reached a tentative agreement on June 19 following a two-day session.

“It was a productive bargaining session with professionalism and respect shown on both sides,” said CUPE 4653 President Maureen Hummel. “I am extremely proud of our bargaining team for their dedication and passion as they worked to make sure that ‘no one was left behind’.”

Hummel said that the Local’s national servicing representative brought knowledge and experience to the table, enabling the very new bargaining team to achieve a tentative agreement that provided something for all members.

The provincial framework agreement (PFA) approved by the K-12 Presidents’ Council in September forms part of the tentative agreement. The current K-12 agreement expires on June 30, 2019. When ratified by CUPE locals and school districts, the provincial 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 by the end of June.

CUPE 4653 members provide a wide variety of services to support children including Aboriginal Support Workers, Clerical, Custodial, Educational Assistants, Maintenance, School Bus Drivers, Trades, Technology and Youth Care Workers.

CUPE 4653 represents more than 500 members who provide services in Fort St. John and the surrounding communities of Baldonnel, Buick Creek, Clearview, Hudson’s Hope, Montney, North Pine, Pineview, Prespatou, Taylor, Upper Halfway and Wonowon in the North Peace region.

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

LANGLEY — CUPE 1260, K-12 support workers in SD35 began bargaining on May 23 and reached a tentative agreement on June 19.

CUPE 1260 President Sharla Mauger acknowledged the hard work and mutual consideration given to the value of the bargaining process.

“It was refreshing to come to the table and bargain in this manner,” adds Mauger. “Our committee put in a lot of hard work and some really long hours in their commitment to get a fair deal for our members – in a timely manner.” Mauger also expressed appreciation to the CUPE National Representative who assisted the local with bargaining.

The provincial framework agreement (PFA) approved by the K-12 Presidents’ Council in September forms part of the tentative agreement. The current K-12 agreement expires on June 30, 2019. When ratified by CUPE locals and school districts, the provincial 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 June.

CUPE 1260 represents approximately 1,000 members in SD35. Members work in a wide variety of roles to support students in Langley throughout their K-12 and early years education.

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

COQUITLAM — CUPE 561, K-12 support workers, reached a tentative agreement (TA) with SD43 on Wednesday. Bargaining began on April 24 and a TA was reached after 7 sessions.

“The deal was achieved because of money negotiated for local tables in the provincial framework agreement,” said CUPE 561 President Dave Ginter. “And having many locals reaching settlements helped nudge the parties a little closer to the deal.”

The provincial framework agreement approved by the K-12 Presidents’ Council in September forms part of the tentative agreement. The current K-12 agreement expires on June 30, 2019. When ratified by CUPE locals and school districts, the provincial 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 by the end of June.

CUPE 561 represents approximately 1900 members who provide a wide variety of services to students in Coquitlam. Members include Education Assistants, Aboriginal Support Workers, Child Care Workers, Custodians, Food Service Workers, Grounds, Trades, Clerical, IT, and Administrative Support as well as workers at the maintenance shop, in continuing education and in our international education department, the largest in the province.

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

CRANBROOK — CUPE 4165, K-12 support workers, reached a tentative agreement with SD5 (Southeast Kootenay) on Tuesday. Bargaining began in February and the employer and union met 12 days in total.

“We wanted to reach an agreement by the end of June and I’m glad we made that goal,” said CUPE 4165 Acting President Irene Bischler. “We worked well as a team, with our biggest focus being on what was best for members.”

Bischler noted that this round of bargaining had its ups and downs. She praised her National Servicing Representative for “his unbelievable leadership and guidance that led us through bargaining,” especially important because most of the union committee were new to bargaining.

The provincial framework agreement (PFA) approved by the K-12 Presidents’ Council in September forms part of the tentative agreement. The current K-12 agreement expires on June 30, 2019. When ratified by CUPE locals and school districts, the provincial 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 by the end of the month.

CUPE 4165 members provide a wide variety of services that support students including Education Assistants, Aboriginal Support Workers, Youth Care Workers, Custodians, Trades, Clerical, Technology Technicians, and Bus Drivers.

The Local represents approximately 375 K-12 support workers in Cranbrook, Jaffray, Fernie, Sparwood, and Elkford in the southeast Kootenay region.

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