With the holiday season upon us I

would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your families a safe and very happy holiday season, along with a Happy New Year! Wow, 2019 is just around

the corner. It has been an honour and a privilege to support our member-ship over the past 5 years. We have had many ups and downs and many learning moments. I hope the worst is behind us with the gross underfunding we have endured, and we can continue to move in a forward manner to reap some benefits over the next few

years. We have some exciting times ahead of us for 2019! Local Bargaining is coming up. We have met as a committee once and we have sent out the link for the bargaining survey which will be closing shortly. Please get your survey completed and submitted to give the committee feedback. Thank you in advance for everyone that participated in the

survey. Health and Safety – Violence Incident Reports there is still concern with our members not filling out reports. We have had discussions at the labor relations table and the best information provided was when in doubt fill it

out.

Hope to see everyone in the new year! We will be hopefully setting up a schedule for me to attend each of the sites during our support staffs lunch break so I can

connect with everyone. Thank you all for what you do it is appreciated but never stated

enough. Always In Solidarity, Denise Bullock, President CUPE Local 439

President’s Message

CUPE LOCAL 439

December 2018 Volume 8 Issue #1 Special points of

interest:

CUPE Local 439 monthly meeting—Sat. Dec. 15th at 10 a.m. at the CUPE

office. See you there!

Inside this issue:

Holiday Message from Vice-Pres. Labour News CDLC & BC Fed

2 2-3

Workplace Violence Info Bargaining Info

4 4

Chief Shop Steward Report

5

Winter Humour CUPE BC Info K-12 on the Big Screen

6 7

CUPE Local 439 8

Executive Info

CLC campaigns & petitions

8

T o g e t h e r W e C a n D o

G r e a t T h i n g s !

Hi there! We are almost at our Christmas break, a much-

needed rest for all. Please continue to fill out your Violent Incident reports and a reminder that the Bullying and Harassment forms are all done electronically now! When in Doubt -Fill It Out! Keeping in mind, you can have a support person to help you fill out the forms. Most times that may be the First Aid person and this is completed during work hours.

Vice-President Holiday Message

Campbell River Courtenay and Districts Labour Council

The last several years Union delegates with the Campbell River Courtenay and Districts Labour Council have partnered with community service groups to put on a Resource Fair, a free event that provides information of local programmes and services. Not everyone in our communities work well paying union jobs with benefits. This fair reaches out to low income families and the careworn who are not yet connected with any local re-sources. It is also for those in our community who already access services from one or more agencies and for the

service providers themselves. This year in Courtenay we also partnered with AHERO, (Ad Hoc Emergency Response Organization), as well as local community service groups and small businesses and held the resource fair at the Courtenay

Lewis Centre. We provided opportunities to connect with RNs in a private setting who provided HIV and

Unions call Unions call Unions call Unions call

for Universal for Universal for Universal for Universal

PharmacarePharmacarePharmacarePharmacare

Page 2 CUPE Local 439

Any issues arising around this please contact me, vp@cupe439.net or any of the

Shop Stewards. And just as an FYI we have a new Health and Safety person starting on December 10th. Russel Roy will be taking over

the reins from Paul Berry. Take time to relax and rejuvenate! A very Merry

Christmas to all.

Take Care of you, enjoy

your break.

In Solidarity, Lisa Bognar

Hep C testing. Haircuts from local hairstylists, shower passes for the Lewis Community Centre were offered. A free table of used clothing, chili lunch, grocery cards, face painting, jugglers, rap and stomp poetry, a mobile print van and raffle for 2 gift baskets as well.

This event allows our LC to help bring together Unions, Service Groups, community minded businesses and commu-nity members. It enables us to connect to those living in poverty who rely on the food

bank. Events like this Resource Fair and purchasing, labelling, and delivering the fish takes time, energy and a lot of work by

dedicated volunteers. We continue to welcome do-nations from individuals and affiliated unions throughout the year. Your contributions are greatly appreciated, especially in the new year when in Janu-ary and February the Food

Bank store shelves are at their

lowest. Thanks to union local’s donations in the past years we were able to purchase enough canned fish, which students from a local CR high school helped put Union made LC Labels on. We were then able to distribute the fish to four North Vancouver Island Food Banks.

CR, GR, CV and Quadra Island. Cindy Gaboury

Sign the petition

for Airline Safety

Childcare for

All

CRCDLC

Strike Support: I have been a CUPE Local 439

delegate to the Campbell River

District Labour Council for a few

years and have recently been

elected to be their secretary

treasurer. As a Delegate I have

enjoyed helping organize the

Labour Day Picnics and the Day

of Morning Events here in

Courtenay. I have volunteered in

Miners Memorial, the Bean

Dinner and other community

events. I have a(ended

Canadian Labour Congress

educa)onal for poli)cal ac)on

and a(ended three BC

Federa)on of Labour events. It

has been a busy few years.

One of many things we do as

affiliates to the CRCDLC is reach

out to those affiliated unions

with strike support. Whether it

be walking on the line, signing

pe))ons. Dona)ng $$ or

providing a warm meal on the

line.

Cindy Gaboury ,

CUPE Delegate to CRCDLC

Above photo of CRCDLC Delegates in support of BCGEU members at CV Seniors Village

The struggle con�nues

A strike coordina)ng mee)ng

regarding the Coast Bas)on Hotel

was held and the union is in a

legal posi)on to strike. Affiliates

are being asked to leverage any

events or other business they

may have at Coast hotels in

Victoria and Prince George as a

solidarity measure. A message

you may share with your

members from UNITE HERE!

Local 40 Execu)ve Director, Robert

Demand.

The Canadian Labour Congress joins

the Canadian Union of Postal

Workers (CUPW) in calling on

Canada Post to nego)ate fair

contracts for postal workers. The

CLC also joins CUPW in condemning

the federal government’s back-to-

work legisla)on. The right to strike

is an integral part of collec)ve

bargaining. Without it, an employer

has no incen)ve to bargain in good

faith, and workers have no recourse

to demand a fair process,

BC Federation of Labour News

Campbell River Courtenay and Districts Labour Council con�nued...

Page 3 Volume 8 Issue #1

The BC Federa�on of Labour

has chosen new leaders to guide the

province’s largest labour body for the

next two years.

Red Seal Electrician Laird Cronk was

acclaimed by delegates a(ending the

Federa)on’s 58th conven)on as the

new president of the 500,000-member

organiza)on. Delegates also acclaimed

social jus)ce and human rights ac)vist

Sussanne Skidmore as the new secre-

tary-treasurer.

“We are stronger and be(er as a labour

movement when we work together,”

Cronk says. “Let’s get this job done,” he

told delegates. “Let’s get out there

together. Let’s build!

“We have much work to do. We must

liB up all workers—those in unions and

those not yet in unions. We must build

bridges for success and reconcili-ac)on

in our house.”

He says strengthening the labour

movement and increasing its member-

ship base ensures that the economy

works for everyone.

Skidmore, an execu)ve vice-president

with the BC Government and Service

Employees’ Union says she is honoured

to be the new secretary-treasurer.

“Together with Laird, I am commi(ed

to building a movement that is united,

progressive and strong.”

A 33-year member of the Interna)onal

Brotherhood of Electrical Workers

Local 230 on Vancouver Island, Cronk

has been an execu)ve officer of the

BCFED for six years. A strong

proponent of expanded appren)ce-

ship and skills training programs.

IN SOLIDARITY!

Learn more with CUPE’s new guide on sexual

violence in the workplace

Use CUPE’s new Stop Work-place Sexual Violence guide and pamphlet to raise awareness, support survivors and challenge sexual violence. Bargain and lobby for paid leave

and other protections for

women facing domestic

violence. See CUPE’s bargaining

guide and Canadian Labour

Congress resources on

domestic violence at work and

this overview of laws by

Women’s Shelters Canada.

Take action

Email your MP through the Canadian Labour Congress #donewai)ng campaign.

Tell your MP to implement a na)onal ac)on plan on violence against women, following the

Blueprint created by feminists across the country.

Support organiza)ons like the Na)ve Women’s Associa)on of Canada in their demands

with regard to the na)onal inquiry on missing and murdered Indigenous women, and take

ac)on in your community.

Support the Disabled Women’s Network of Canada #MoreThanAFootnote ini)a)ve.

Sign this pe))on to press the federal government for decent work and full immigra)on

status for migrant care workers.

Organize or a(end a December 6 event in your workplace or neighbourhood.

Many CUPE members and staff across the country work daily to end gender-based violence

and to support workers and families affected. On December 6, CUPE applauds your ac)vism,

and we re-dedicate ourselves to ending violence against women.

https://cupe.ca/stop-workplace-sexual-violence

Nego)a)ng strong contracts for our members is important. The

solidarity of our members is the heart of our bargaining power, and

makes gains possible. Together, we work to be(er our working

condi)ons, rights and strengthen our contract. We hope you all

have had a chance to review your Collec)ve Agreement

and fill out the survey via email. Reviewing contract

language also helps us safeguard the gains we do have.

You may have ar)cles that you want addressed or some-

thing added. It is important that we hear from you. This is

your contract and your voice counts.

Josie Andrews

Cindy Gaboury

Denise Bullock

Dave Woodley

Page 4 CUPE Local 439

Check all your CUPE news in your CUPE BC News letter or go to the CUPE Web site https://cupe.bc.ca

CUPE

Bargaining Commi ee News

Page 5 Volume 8 Issue #1

During the course of this year I have had the opportunity to attend many meetings with our President Denise Bullock at the SBO and

discuss many issues on your behalf. I have participated in taking forward several grievances and continue to support members throughout the various stages of the grievance process. This has been a very eye-opening year for me. I have learned a lot and will continue to do my best assist you

all. I have enjoyed getting to know many of you our members at the Thursday classification group meetings. At these meetings I have gained an understanding of many issues, concerns and needs of all classification groups within our local. Because I work in the schools the same time as most of you I am unable to get out to the sites to meet with you all and discuss issues with you. Thank you to those who came out to share your concerns and issues at the Union Office. Your participation is what helps our local grow stronger together. I will continue these classification group meetings throughout the next year. An email will be sent out at the beginning of the month to notify which classification group shall be meeting next. If you wish to contact me regarding anything please email me at chief@cupe439.net or phone

my cell at 250-702-6925. A definite highlight of 2018 for me was last June when I attended the Miners Memorial events and laid a bouquet of flowers on Ginger Goodwin’s grave on behalf of our local I also enjoyed the comradery while volunteering CUPE BBQ Truck serving food. At the grave side vigil, the British Columbia government announced a proclamation that Friday, July 27, 2018, is for evermore to be known

as Ginger Goodwin Day, to celebrate Albert (Ginger) Goodwin, a pioneer of B.C.’s labour movement. July 27 marks the 100th anniversary of Goodwin's untimely death. The proclamation acknowledges the achievements and progress made by Goodwin, who was a passionate advocate for fair and safe workplaces. It also reflects government’s firm commitment to protect all workers by putting in place and enforcing the laws, regulations and policies that support safe

working environments. In addition to the proclamation, new

highway signs to commemorate Goodwin

were unveiled in late June 2018, along a

stretch of Highway 19 near Cumber-

land. The signs were introduced by Scott

Fraser, MLA for Mid Island-Pacific Rim, on

behalf of Claire Trevena, Minister of

Transportation and Infrastructure. The

Ministry of Transportation and Infrastruc-

ture has also installed five new signs to

direct travellers to the Cumberland Cem-

etery, where the Ginger Goodwin Stop of

Interest sign is located.

I thank all of you for your ongoing sup-port as your Chief Shop Steward. I Hope you all enjoy the holiday break. May the New Year bring much joy. Cindy Gaboury Chief Shop Steward

Message from Chief Shop Steward, Cindy Gaboury

Page 6 CUPE Local 439

Some winter humour!!Some winter humour!!Some winter humour!!Some winter humour!!

CUPE BC K-12 is back on the Big Screen!

Page 7 Volume 8 Issue #1

BURNABY – As part of a province-wide K-12 Presidents Council campaign to build public under-

standing of the services CUPE members provide and their importance in public educa)on, the

union’s K-12 members will be featured on movie theatre screens throughout B.C. during this

year’s winter break.

Landmark Theatres will carry the 30-second anima)on from December 7 to 31 and Cineplex The-

atres will feature the anima)on from December 21 to January 4, 2019.

“We’re proud to feature our members and the important services they provide in B.C.’s public

schools,” said K-12 Presidents Council President Warren Williams. “The anima)on is a family-

friendly way to get our message out and feature CUPE members at work.”

View the anima)on and get more informa)on at: bcschools.cupe.ca

Click here for the list of cinemas.

And catch these superstars on your own screen!

Meet the first CUPE K-12 finalists in the Premier’s Award of Excellence in Educa)on in videos pro-

duced by the Ministry of Educa)on. This year marks the first )me that support staff were includ-

ed as an Awards category.

Winner in the Outstanding Support category is Jeannine Lindsay, a CUPE 439 member who works

as an Indigenous Support Worker at Lake Trail Middle School in Courtenay.

Other support staff finalists were Richard Morgan, a CUPE 523 member and Custodian at Pen)c-

ton Secondary School (Pen-High) and Jackie Grypink, an Educa)onal Assistant and CUPE 5523

member at Hillview Elementary School in Vernon.

Find a more in-depth interview with these superstars on the bcschools.cupe.ca website.

Over the coming months, the K-12 Presidents Council will be rolling out Phase 2 of its cost share

campaign, which will create public awareness and address workload and violence/safety issues.

CUPE Local 439

496-10th Street Courtenay, B.C. V9N 1P6

Phone: 250 338-2447

CUPE LOCAL 439

CUPE Local 439 supporting our members!

We’re on the web:

www.cupe439.net

CUPE LOCAL 439

This newsletter is maintained by the Communications Committee of CUPE Local 439. Our Membership are the Support Staff of School District #71, a group of dedicated workers employed to provide for the ongoing support and maintenance of the schools of the Comox Valley. Including more than 600 Members performing the varied duties required, we are a diverse group, and a very active group of people in the local community as well as within our workplaces. Many of our Members are involved in local Charities, Youth clubs, Home Based and small businesses, and other Community action groups. We might be your neighbour, or coach

your child’s team.

T o g e t h e r W e C a n D o

G r e a t T h i n g s !

CLC follow the campaigns and sign the petitions at

http://canadianlabour.ca

Paid leave can help break the cycle of domes)c violence

Canada’s unions seek to remove barriers to employment for workers with disabili)es

UN World AIDS Day: Global efforts to end HIV/AIDS get a boost in Nigeria

16 days of ac)on: Towards ending gender-based violence

CUPW and CLC issue joint statement in support of workers

women are #donewai)ng for economic jus)ce

Pharmacare: one family's story

Add your voice Nobody should be forced to choose between paying for groceries and paying for the medica)on they

need. Add your name and help us win prescrip)on drug coverage for everyone in Canada, regardless of

their income, age, or where they work or live...