Local Voice

Volume 8 | Issue #1 Winter 2013

Quarterly publication for members of the Canadian Office & Professional Employees Union, Local 378

engagement, Activism & Action in Your union, Your Province

ALSO INSIDE

COPE 378 Convention DA Townley Success $10 a Day Child Care New Member Videos Get On Board

COntents

in this issue

3 4 6 7

Presidents OPeninG MessaGe by David Black transLatiOns Presidents WOrd COPe 378 COnventiOn: enGaGinG, enerGizinG, GrOWinG BC FederatiOn OF LaBOur 2012 COnventiOn vanCOuver GrandMOthers' suMMit da tOWnLey jOB aCtiOn iCBC's histOry and Future Lies With the ndP by Mable Elmore industriOus WOMen LnG: reWards... and suBstantiaL risks POLitiCaL aCtiOn COMMittee $10 a day ChiLd Care WOrkLOad COMMittees at iCBC BC hydrO MeMBer OrientatiOn videOs transit: Get On BOard CaMPaiGn BarGaininG BrieFs FOruM FOr retired uniOn MeMBers BarGaininG units OrGanized LauGhter

8 9 10 11

7
Convention 2012

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 22 23 24

8
Building a Better B.C.

15
An Affordable Plan

Presidents Opening Message

the Canadian Office and Professional employees union, Local 378, is affiliated with the Canadian Office and Professional employees union, the British Columbia Federation of Labour, the Canadian Labour Congress, uni Global union and industriaLL. Canadian Office and Professional Employees Union, Local 378, Executive Board Members: President: david Black secretary-treasurer: Lori Mayhew vice Presidents: jeff Gillies (iCBC), Gwenne Farrell (utilities), heather Lee (Combined units) accenture Business services executive Board Members: Melanie Greenlaw, nancy de vries BC hydro executive Board Members: Calvin jonas, rysa kronebusch iCBC executive Board Members: yasmin Carroll, karin Cirez, Mike Ferguson, joyce Galuska, trevor hansen FortisBC energy Board Member: tim Bouzovetsky FortisBC inc. and FortisBC Customer service Centres: stephanie smith Combined units executive Board Members: Colleen Finn, Laurie kirk, keith Parkinson, stephen von sychowski, tim Weigelt, ian Whittington COPE 378 Communications & Campaigns: Communications director: sage aaron Communications representative: jarrah hodge COPE 378 Senior Union Representatives: Brad Bastien, jaime zygmunt, Glen Macinnes COPE 378 Union Representatives: jackie Brown, Carrol edwards, jack Gerow, Barry hodson, Barbara junker, Pat junnila, sarah Melsness, Bonnie Merriman, Brian nelson, kevin Payne, kelly Quinn, karen rockwell, kevin smyth COPE 378 Union Rep Trainee Program: trevor hansen, Cathy hirani, stephen von sychowski, ian Williams COPE 378 Administrative & Office Staff: joanne Banfield, karen Caston, elaine Chilman, Lise Cluff, adele earwaker, yudon Garie, shelley Lockhart, Carol McLuskie, karen Mcrae, kim smith, Miriam spinner COPE 378 Financial Staff: kathy hill, sandi Malhame, donna Morris, Barbara Liang, amandeep sandhu BC Utilities Commission Liaison and Legal Director: jim Quail Occupational Health & Safety & WCB Appeals: steve Milne Organizing: Georgi Bates Job Evaluation: teresa davie LTD Trust Administrator: jim Moynham

David Black President, COPE 378

COPe 378 Local voice is the official quarterly magazine published for the members of the Canadian Office and Professional employees union, Local 378. isBn 1918-9753 COPe Local 378 voice Letters to the editor are welcome but may be edited for brevity and clarity. Please contact COPe Local 378 for permission to reprint articles, graphics, or photographs. address all correspondence to: COPe 378 Communications 2nd Floor, 4595 Canada Way, Burnaby, B.C. v5G 1j9 Phone: 604-299-0378 toll Free: 1-800-664-6838 Fax: 604-299-8211 visit COPe 378s website at www.cope378.ca Or contact us via email at editor@cope378.ca editor: sage aaron

e talk a lot about politics at COPE 378. Its not surprising, given that we are governed by democratic principles (we elect our stewards, Executive Councillors and Board members) and given that most of our largest bargaining units are public sector. When it comes time to bargain, we sit across the table from the government. So politics and the political process are part of our process and culture at COPE 378. Its part of our DNA. In the fall of 2012 we went through a democratic, political exercise within our union and at the BC Federation of Labour. Candidates for leadership roles at COPE 378 and the BC Fed campaigned by putting forward their ideas, values, and priorities to voting members and delegates. And the candidates organized their supporters towards their goals. Its a valuable process that is made richer by diverse, active participation from our members. The events of the last year gave us ample reason to stay involved politically, at both the provincial and federal level. At the start of public sector bargaining Christy Clark and the BC Liberals demanded that union members mine our collective agreements for any wage increases, to give up hard-won benefits and right to a cost-of-living wage increase. Thanks to a well-coordinated response by B.C.s labour movement, Christy Clarks government realized they were playing a game of brinksmanship with potentially negative consequences for their May 2013 electoral hopes. At the federal level, Bill C-377, which will burden trade unions with an onerous time reporting and financial tracking process, passed in the House, despite the opposition of groups like the Canadian Bar Association and the caution of the federal Privacy Commissioner. So it wont surprise our members to learn we are turning our thoughts to the upcoming provincial election, and envisioning a future with a government that values the role of unions and the contributions of everyday, middle-class people. Read on to learn more about how we do politics, inside the union and outside, as part of our larger community.

USW 2009
COPE 378 Local Voice vOLuMe 8 issue #1 Winter 2013 | 3

vOLuMe 8 issue #1 Winter 2013

COPE 378 Local Voice

COPE 378 Local Voice

vOLuMe 8 issue #1 Winter 2013

Presidents WOrd

Making Plans for the year ahead

By david BLaCk, President

David Black along with Nancy de Vries and Jeremy Drew meeting with MP Dick Harris on C-377

T
David Black (on left)

he new year is supposed to offer a chance to reflect on the year past and make plans for the year ahead. As the COPE 378 staff and elected representatives returned to the office on January 2nd, I took a minute to think about 2012 and all the busyness it contained. On top of putting on a successful and engaging local convention and participating actively in the BC Federation of Labour convention last fall, we had bargaining and job action at a range of units, from TWPP to ICBC to AMS Security. This past year also provided political challenges, primarily in the form of federal Conservative MP Russ Hieberts anti-union Bill C-377, which unfortunately passed late in the year. The silver lining is that the C-377 fight gave COPE 378 members a chance to take on some on-the-ground political work. Many members met with their Conservative MPs to share their concerns about the potential privacy issues and the way the bill unfairly applies redundant and onerous financial reporting systems on unions while forcing the government to set up an expensive bureaucracy to administer it. That kind of engagement will be needed more than ever in the coming year because, looking ahead, one of our unions most important challenges in 2013 is the provincial election. COPE 378 has a long history as a political organization. Many of our members are impacted by government policy. Under our current BC Liberal government, those working at crown corporations and government contractors have seen the ranks of average employees dwindle due to layoffs and contracting-out and are now

struggling under growing workloads, being asked to do more with less. The governments complete inability to manage the economy has put some of our largest employers and most important provincial institutions BC Hydro and ICBC in jeopardy. While pressure from groups like COPE 378 has recently forced the government to backtrack on some of its more damaging policies, such as the Hydro self-sufficiency requirement (which, in fact, was an irresponsible over-inflation of need), they are still directing our crown utility to subsidize private power companies by buying power at a rate the market wouldnt bear. Your unions Political Action Committee is already hard at work encouraging members to get active and connecting those activists with constituencies where they can volunteer on the election. To date theyve signed up over 130 members, but there is still work to do and we cant take anything for granted. So for the next few months, until May 14, I ask you to join me in turning your thoughts to the upcoming provincial election. There are many different, but important, roles you can fill with whatever time you have available. Lets make sure that in just a few months, B.C. will at long last have a practical progressive government that cares more for people than corporations.

vOLuMe 8 issue #1 Winter 2013

COPE 378 Local Voice

COPe 378 Convention: engaging, energizing, Growing

COnventiOns

o Conventi

Engaging,

n 2012
Energizing
EXECU OUNC TIVE C

, Growing

R IL REPO

rom Thursday, November 15 to Saturday, November 17, 2012, COPE 378 delegates met in Vancouver for the unions third convention. The theme of our convention is Engaging, Energizing, Growing. Its both a direction for the union leadership, and call to action aimed at our members, said President David Black on the first day. We are working on new ways of engaging you, our members, imparting you with the skills and energy you need to be effective advocates in the workplace. We are also working on growing our ranks: growing both the numbers of job stewards we have, and workplaces we represent. For many first-time delegates it was a first opportunity to hear speakers like the Presidents of the BC Federation of Labour, Canadian Labour Council, and COPESEPB National, as well as NDP Leader Adrian Dix. It was also a first time for many to get up at a microphone and speak in front a room of more than 200 people. One policy resolution that passed overwhelmingly was a resolution to ensure that new job stewards receive orientation for their specific collective agreement within three months of being approved as a steward. A new delegate from ICBC added her voice in support of the resolution and recounted her experience as a new member. I didnt have much knowledge about unions until I experienced a personal challenge myself I was so afraid of losing my job. I didnt know I had this kind of protection. The union environment is so nice that coworkers are like brothers and sisters.

COPE 378s committees each got a chance to deliver reports on their activities over the past three years and their recommendations for moving forward. For example, the Health and Safety Committee reported on the major issues of the past term, including the challenges dealing with WorkSafeBC leadership that has tended to favour employers. Committee Chair Gwenne Farrell mentioned in particular the watering-down of Grants Law, which was designed to protect late-night retail workers. Employee lobby groups, she pointed out, have applied significant pressure to the governmentyou look at places like private liquor stores, convenience stores like Macs, 7-11. To them, it was too expensive for them to ensure their workers were safeTo me, thats appalling. On Friday afternoon, COPE 378 convention delegates broke into workshop sessions to have more in-depth training and discussion in particular areas, including political action, how to deliver the new member orientation materials in worksites, techniques for connecting and communicating with members in your workplace, and getting involved with external campaigns to organize new worksites or advance community issues. On the last day of convention delegates elected Vice-Presidents from among the Executive Board members. The three incumbent Vice-Presidents were returned to their positions Gwenne Farrell (Utilities), Heather Lee (Combined Units) by re-election, and Jeff Gillies (ICBC) by acclamation.

The theme of our convention is Engaging, Energizing, Growing. Its both a direction for the union leadership, and call to action aimed at our members, David Black

COPE 378 Local Voice

vOLuMe 8 issue #1 Winter 2013

COnventiOns

BC Federation of Labour 2012 Convention: Building a Better B.C.

T
Over 1,200 delegates attended
NOVEMBER 2012

he November 2012 BC Federation of Labour Convention was its biggest ever, with over 1,200 union members from across B.C. attending the weeklong event in Vancouver. BC Federation of Labour President Jim Sinclair set the tone, kicking off the Monday morning with a rousing speech that covered a range of topics from public sector bargaining to migrant worker exploitation to health and safety issues in the workplace. Overall he emphasized that we as the labour movement can be more effective when we work together and are more inclusive, including working in solidarity with unions internationally. Around the world workers are being attacked and they are fighting back, Sinclair said, We are stronger when we stand and fight together. Inspiring speeches were delivered through the week by author Linda McQuaig, BC NDP Leader Adrian Dix, federal NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair, former Parliamentary page Brigette DePape, and representatives from the Washington State Labour Council, the Canadian Federation of Students and Out in Schools. COPE 378 delegates spoke at the microphone on important committee reports and resolutions on issues from pensions to workplace safety to provincial funding for womens services. On the Organizing Committee Report, COPE 378 Board Member Stephen Von Sychowski said, The recommendations of this report are right we need to
Working together to face today's challenges

work together and develop a plan for organizing in the new conditions we are faced withwe need strategies and tactics suited to the new realities and we need to work in unity to tackle the problem in a coordinated way and in a way that focuses on organizing the unorganized, never on raiding. Mid-way through Wednesday, November 28 the convention delegates joined a rally for fair bargaining, in solidarity with striking college and community social service workers. The group marched from the Vancouver Convention Centre to the Vancouver Art Gallery, where both labour leaders and rank-and-file workers spoke in support of free, fair collective bargaining. Several new members and young workers were part of the COPE 378 delegation for the entire week. For Andrea Foster from BC Hydro, one of her favourite parts was serving on the balloting committee that was in charge of distributing, collecting, and counting ballots in the election of President and Secretary-Treasurer. She added, In general, I liked being able to participate in the resolutions process; being able to have a say in what the organization is going to focus on as a whole over the next few years. Multicultural Committee member and CMBC steward Belinda Lee said her favourite part was hearing speeches from both the federal and provincial NDP leaders. Teamsters Local 115 employee Dawn Henderson said, I loved going up there on stage as a young worker [during the Young Workers Committee Report]. She added that another highlight of the week for her was when the elections were happening, It was very exciting the candidates came into our caucus meeting and we got to ask them almost one-on-one questions.

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COPE 378 Local Voice

african Grandmothers' tribunal

stePhen LeWis FOundatiOn

n the seven years since the Stephen Lewis Foundation began their Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign in sub-Saharan Africa, the Foundation, and the grandmothers, have worked hard to halt the spread of HIV and AIDS in their communities. They have been successful but, more recently, have faced troubling setbacks. The demographic of older women in sub-Saharan Africa stands out like a bruised and battered thumb. Their adult childrens generation has been ravaged by AIDS, which forces these women to care for their childrens children. Their livelihoods are modest and for many, their claims on their childrens land is threatened. When the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign started in 2006 Canadian grandmothers connected with their African counterparts to learn about their lives and to take their stories back to Canada and advocate for help. The campaign has done well, bringing millions of dollars to over 300 grassroots organizations. Statistics indicated this help was making a difference HIV and AIDS infection rates were stalling and communities began to knit back together. But the global recession of 2008 hit charities hard. The Foundation watched as other global aid organizations were forced to leave many communities due to lack of funding. The Foundation has held on, but has seen contributions diminish. This has forced difficult and sometimes unimaginable decisions among caregivers, such as determining who among their patients will continue to receive medication. Additionally, AIDS has fallen off the media stage and global attention has wandered away from the pandemic. The feeling of crisis has lessened, but the reality has not. In western countries, HIV and AIDS medication is saving lives. That is not always the case in sub-Saharan Africa where money for medication is much more difficult to come by. to wake the world up once again to the realities of the pandemic in africa, the stephen Lewis Founda-

tion will be holding a Grandmothers' tribunal in toronto and vancouver in september of 2013. The Tribunal will be in Vancouver at UBC in late May or early June. This Tribunal will embark on a factfinding mission to bring to light the challenges facing these women and their grandchildren. It will give African grandmothers the chance to publicly tell their stories, to raise awareness and support, and to help propose the changes needed to make a real and lasting difference for their communities and in the global fight against HIV and AIDS. The Tribunal will investigate the lack of access to healthcare, evidence of property grabbing from the relatives of male family members (men are often given legal preference to land ownership), sexual violence faced by women young and old, the difficulty of obtaining food and housing and the barriers to education for the grandchildren. Participants will also hear about social norms that often exclude the grandmothers from decision-making roles. Based on the grandmothers evidence, the Tribunalmade up of leaders in the legal profession, African community-based organizations and members of the international communitywill make suggestions for the legal, social and health care reforms needed to chart a path to a brighter future. COPE 378 will keep our members up-to-date with the event details and the Tribunal outcomes.

7 YeARS

Grandmothers' Tribunal in Toronto and Vancouver. VAnCOUVER in SEPTEMBER 2013

COPE 378 Local Voice

vOLuMe 8 issue #1 Winter 2013

BarGaininG suCCess

two Weeks of job action at d.a. townley Lead to agreement

By GLen MaCinnes, uniOn rePresentative

After a protracted round of bargaining with the pension and benefit administrator D.A.

Townley and Associates, and two weeks of job action, the 40 COPE 378 members were able to reach a fair collective agreement.

aGreeMent hiGhLiGhts

WaGe inCreases retroactive to jan.1, 2011 of 1%, 1%, 2% and 2%

2% 2%
1% 1%

4
2011 2012

2013

2014

year deaL

a FOur year deaL from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2014 OvertiMe
Greater choice for employees to elect how to be compensated for overtime payments

No change to the four day work week schedule

without mutual agreement

Compassionate Care Leave provisions Carry over to the next year allowed for unused
portion of Health Spending Account

employer to advance regular salary while

awaiting approval of weekly indemnity claim Temporary employees to be covered by statutory holiday provisions union of technological change or procedural change that may result in displacement or redundancy Employer to provide training without loss of pay either by the Employer or by an outside agency if technological or procedural changes occur that results in a position(s) becoming redundant

employer to provide three month notice to

inclusion of Family day as a statutory holiday

mployees at D.A. Townley and Associates were one of the first groups of former COPE 15 members to go into bargaining as part of the COPE 378 local.A different structure, a bigger union and a different union representative meant big changes for a group of employees who had been union members for over 40 years. It was important to ensure the membership understood the new bargaining processes and was able to give feedback and input. Bargaining began in 2011 upon the expiry of the collective agreement. The bargaining committee was determined to achieve certain goals identified as priorities by the membership, including a reasonable wage increase.Unfortunately, when the discussion turned to monetary issues, the employer tabled offers that had zero per cent increases in the first two years. We knew this proposal was significantly less than other unionized workers in the sector had received in recent bargaining, so we met with our members and sought a strike vote to pressure the employer to come back to the table with a fair offer that would have at least kept our members up with the rate of inflation.The members at D.A. Townley gave us a strong and steadfast strike vote of 96 per cent, but the employer refused to move off its position of zero per cent in the first two years. In an attempt to bypass the unions elected bargaining committee, the employer released their final offer to employees directly. However, the unions members were not impressed and decided to respond by engaging in limited job action. The job action took some of the lessons learned by the union in the ICBC strike and used tactics including an overtime ban, restrictions on carrying out some specific duties, and keeping an entire department out for a week. Members stood together and after two weeks of job action, the employer called the bargaining committee back to the table and proposed reasonable wage increases in each year of a four year deal, retroactive to January 2011.They also agreed to improvements, including some around compassionate care leave, statutory holiday coverage for temporary employees, and protections for workers in case of technological change. This rare and targeted job action illustrated how, by sticking together and using new strategies for getting a fair agreement, the employees at D.A. Townley won a fair agreement that recognizes the value of their work. They can now go back to providing the high quality service to their clients that they have always done. At the writing of this article, the bargaining committee has reached a tentative agreement and will be voting on the proposal in mid-January.

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COPE 378 Local Voice

iCBC's history and Future Lies with the ndP

By MaBLe eLMOre neW deMOCrat MLa FOr vanCOuver-kensinGtOn and OFFiCiaL OPPOsitiOn CritiC FOr iCBC

iCBC 40 years

Mable Elmore

his year marks the 40th anniversary of ICBC offering affordable automobile insurance and quality service. In 1973, when the first BC New Democrat government under Dave Barrett formed the crown corporation, the intention was to ensure ICBC had strong front line staff, was able to process claims effectively and keep excessive costs low so ratepayers paid a fair price. Over the years, as the population of the province grew, so did the number of claims that needed to be processed. But under Liberal government mismanagement over the past decade, the number of frontline workers stayed relatively level, and the management ranks and size of executive wages and bonuses grew dramatically. In fact, since 2007 the number of front line workers decreased, while there was a massive increase in the number of managers and executive compensation shot up by 70 per cent. This top-heavy Liberal approach isnt only seen at ICBC. British Columbians have also been frustrated with outrageous executive compensation at B.C. Ferries, and even B.C. Rail, where, until last year, the CEO received half a million dollars each year to manage a few kilometres of track. One of the worst examples was at Community Living B.C. where executives received outrageous bonuses at a time when services were being cut for people with developmental disabilities. It is just one more symptom of the Liberals mismanagement of the province and its finances. For years the Liberals have been telling ordinary British Columbians to tighten their belts, while they allowed managers and executives to line their pockets at the publics expense. When ICBC was forced to raise basic rates for drivers last year, British Columbians said enough to the Liberal mismanagement. Adrian Dix and the New Democrats told the Liberal government that they need to clean up the mess they created.

The Liberals were forced to review ICBC, and eventually admitted they let management levels and executive compensation get out of hand. But the Liberals still have their priorities wrong, and they arent up to the challenge of managing the province and our crown corporations properly. Instead of effectively bringing management numbers and wages back to a reasonable level, the Liberals merely put a band-aid on the problem, and even worse, included front line staff in job cuts at a time when staff are struggling under caseloads. There is only one reason the Liberal government would try to roll in front-line staff cuts at a time when we have so many claims to be settled, and thats because the Liberals are trying to save a few more bucks on the backs of hard-working British Columbians in order to save their own political hides. The Liberals have had 11 years to show the public that they can manage the finances of the province, and theyve proven theyre not up to the challenge. British Columbia needs positive change that restores trust in government and makes life better for families and working people. Adrian Dix and BCs New Democrats are ready to bring change for the better, one practical step at a time.

For years the Liberals have been telling ordinary British Columbians to tighten their belts, while they allowed managers and executives to line their pockets at the publics expense. Mable Elmore

COPE 378 Local Voice

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industriaLL

industrious Women
By GWenne FarreLL, viCe-President

Delegates from 16 different countries discussed many different issues which held common themes...

O
Australia, Iraq, Sweden, South Africa, Morocco, Brazil

n December 11, 2012, the IndustriALL Womens Committee held its inaugural meeting in Geneva, Switzerland. IndustriALL was formed in June 2012 when three Global Union Federations merged: the international Metalworkers Federation (IMF), the international Federation of Chemical, energy, Mine and General Workers union (ICEM), and international textile, Garment and Leather Workers Federation (ITGLWF). This first meeting of the Womens Committee had about 30 delegates from 16 countries in attendance, ranging from Australia to Iraq, Sweden to South Africa, and Morocco to Brazil. Many of the delegates also hold positions on the IndustriALL Executive Committee. During its formation, IndustriALL made a firm commitment that there would be representation from women throughout this new organization. According to the initial statutes, women must hold at least 30 per cent of the seats on the Executive Committee. While the quota is welcome and necessary to encourage female representation and leadership, it does create a challenge to many of the unions representing male-dominated industries. However, the goal is that by 2016 all decisionmaking bodies of IndustriALL will have women in 30 per cent of the positions. Despite the geographic diversity represented by the delegates, the issues discussed at the meeting held common themes. Maternity leave, pay equity, work/life balance and discrimination came up again and again. What also was apparent was the challenge presented to women involved in the leadership of their unions. Its surprising and disappointing that even in industries like

textile work, where up to 70 per cent of the workers are women, there are barriers preventing women from participating at the higher levels of their union. Therefore the delegates acknowledged that we must continue to push IndustriALL to set significant goals for the participation of women until such time that there is absolute gender equity on all decision-making bodies. After initial introductions and presentations were completed, the discussion turned to the structure of the committee itself and how the committee can begin to build its agenda. It soon became apparent that this
...there are barriers preventing women from participating at the higher levels of their union...

group of strong, empowered women was more than willing to develop and take control of this active and effective committee. It was determined that the best way to achieve this would be to establish a smaller working group with a representative (and alternate) from each region. The working group, with input from delegates from their region, has been tasked with the following:
Develop a process for the election of the committee Chair and Vice-Chair in order that the election can be held at the next meeting. Develop a proposal around the structure, objectives and agenda of the committee which would be endorsed by the Executive Council and their next meeting.

IndustriALL Womens Committee

Ultimately the working group will be developing the foundation for the work of the Womens Committee going forward. I was honoured to be nominated by the North American delegates to be their representative on this working group. The next meeting of the IndustriALL Womens Committee will be held in May 2013 immediately prior to the Executive Committee meeting. At that time we will be discussing and approving the recommendations of the working group. Moreover, we will be working on developing our global action plan to address womens issues in the workplace across the world.

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vOLuMe 8 issue #1 Winter 2013

COPE 378 Local Voice

LnG: rewards and substantial risks

By jiM QuaiL, LeGaL direCtOr

enerGy

Falling prices, and a resulting decline in drilling activity, mean that the provinces royalties have tumbled and the budget deficit has grown. Jim Quail

ew technology called hydraulic fracturing (fracking) has made vast amounts of natural gas in shale deposits commercially accessible for the first time. In short order, we have gone from predictions that North America would run out of gas to the expectation that there is enough in the ground to keep us going for decades. The sudden increase in supply and the ongoing recession have driven natural gas wellhead prices below its production cost. Falling prices, and a resulting decline in drilling activity, mean that the provinces royalties have tumbled and the budget deficit has grown. Many see the solution in liquid natural gas (LNG). If you chill natural gas way down toward absolute zero, it super-condenses into a liquid that can be pumped onto tankers and shipped across the Pacific. It can trade globally like oil. China has its own enormous shale gas deposits but does not yet have pipelines to bring it from its far western deposits to the eastern industrial cities. For now, at least, there is no glut of natural gas in Asia, and it trades at a price roughly equivalent to oil. Thats an opportunity for huge profits for North American gas producers. Instead of selling their product at a loss at local prices (in the $3 to $4 range per British thermal unit, or BTU), being able to liquefy it and ship it to Asia would mean they can sell it for $14 or more. To do this, they need pipelines to bring it from the Peace River area to the coast liquefaction facilities, and port facilities to load it onto ships. They also need a gigantic amount of energy. Liquefying gas uses enormous amounts of energy but creates relatively few jobs. Usually, producers use a portion of the natural gas itself to power the liquefaction of the rest. The government has announced that any LNG production in B.C. will use electricity instead. If just three of the five-odd B.C. proposals for LNG exports happen and use electricity, this will double B.C.s industrial electricity use and increase our total electricity consumption by more than a third. One Kiti-

mat project alone proposed by Shell would use more electricity than a Site C dam, all by itself. That presents some serious problems. First: where to obtain all that power. An LNG plant needs a constant supply of energy. Most renewable electricity resources are intermittent they only deliver if the wind is blowing, the sun is shining, or the river is running. For huge amounts of firm power, you need to build major hydro dams, or get thermal generation from natural gas, coal, or nuclear power. If you build dams, you need expensive transmission lines, which are even more complicated to build because they invariably run through territory claimed by First Nations. The other serious problem is the cost. The price industries pay for power is far below the cost of adding new generation. If LNG plants double our industrial electricity load, someone has to pay the cost of all that power. Unless the LNG plants pay for their electricity at its full cost, all of our rates will go up potentially astronomically. And suppose we go ahead, spend billions building up our system, and China builds the infrastructure to exploit its own gas resources, and there is no longer any market for North American LNG. Some experts forecast that China will be a net exporter of gas in a few decades. Then who is left to pay for all the generators and transmission lines standing idle in B.C.? You and me, thats who. And our children. So my advice to any B.C. government is to proceed with caution here. We need our eyes open to the risks hiding in the LNG export plans.

Jim Quail

COPE 378 Local Voice

vOLuMe 8 issue #1 Winter 2013

13

POLitiCaL aCtiOn COMMittee

Federal issues and a Provincial election

By kOrLeen Carreras and jeFF GiLLies, POLitiCaL aCtiOn COMMittee CO-Chairs

Jeff Gillies

Federal and provincial issues have kept your Political Action Committee (PAC) very busy this fall through winter. We dont expect it to slow down for some time. Korleen Carreras

In October 2012 COPE 378 sent five representatives to Ottawa to lobby their Members of Parliament (MPs) regarding Bill C-377, legislation which would greatly increase administrative reporting burdens on unions. Our members joined other union members from across Canada in an effort co-ordinated by the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) to talk about the negative impact the bill would have on all Canadians and to ask their MPs to vote against the bill. Throughout November and December of 2012 we continued to lobby our MPs locally within B.C. COPE 378 members met with another three MPs and twelve more activists tried to set up appointments with their federal representatives but were unsuccessful. The bill was expected to go to its final vote sometime in the New Year but the Conservatives changed the schedule and the bill was passed on December 12, 2012.

Bill C-377

members are already active or are interested in becoming active for the May 2013 provincial election. To get in touch weve used surveys, member-to-member contact, and various training opportunities. Weve even gained three new members on our Political Action Committee. Weve been leveraging external resources by making sure members know about political action courses offered by the BC Federation of Labour around the province. So far weve had glowing feedback from our members whove taken the training. The theme of political activism and our campaign 2013 Matters was woven into the November 2012 COPE 378 convention. Adrian Dixs speech to the delegates was met with more than a few standing ovations. Delegates were also able to attend a course on the upcoming election facilitated by the PAC co-chairs and guest Jan OBrien, Provincial Secretary of the BC NDP.

Members in a workshop

In September last year the PAC put together a substantial strategic planning document that incorporated membership involvement, policy development, a communications plan, and member education. The document includes deadlines and targets and is continually updated. We set up a tracking sheet for all candidates of the major provincial political parties in each constituency and compiled available biographical and background information on the candidates. As with Bill C-377, our members have been eager and willing to help out. We continue to reach out to the membership to identify political activists. To date over 130
14

Getting ready for May 13, 2013

As we look towards the May 14, 2013 provincial election we still have a lot to do. We will continue to encourage and cultivate activists within our membership, keep up our member-to-member campaign, and connect activists with constituencies. There will be political action courses on offer at the Job Steward Seminar in March and we will continue to lobby all levels of government on issues important to COPE 378 members. But we will only be successful with your help. send us an email at jgillies@cope378.ca and kcarreras@ cope378.ca if you are interested in becoming involved with the PaC, working on the campaign, or attending events and educational courses.

Moving Forward

vOLuMe 8 issue #1 Winter 2013

COPE 378 Local Voice

$10 a day Child Care supports Families and Workers

FaMiLies

This made-in-B.C. plan has been endorsed by individuals from over 100 B.C. communities as well as school districts, municipal governments, academics, businesses, and several other trade unions...

orrying about accessing child care is an experience that too many B.C. parents go through. There arent enough quality, regulated child care spaces in the province, and when any spaces are available, fees are usually too high for parents and wages too low for trained staff. Its a problem that hurts families, communities, and our economy. Thats why COPE 378 recently signed on to support the Coalition of Child Care Advocates of B.C.s Community Plan for a Public System of Integrated Early Care and Learning. The plan proposes moving to a system that in which every young child would have the right to participate in quality, early care and learning programs, with participation chosen by the parents. The plan would allow parent fees to be reduced to $10 per day for a full-time, licensed early care and learning program, $7 per day for part-time, and no user fee for families with annual incomes of under $40,000. The plan also proposes using new public funds to raise Early Childhood Educator wages to an average of $25 per hour plus benefits. Its always a concern for the labour movement when workers such as early childhood educators and their assistants arent being paid fairly (the current average hourly wage is $16.46 per hour). The issue of child care is also important for unions because of the way the lack of affordable, quality public child care affects our members who are parents, as well as our larger communities. This made-in-B.C. plan has been endorsed by individuals from over 100 B.C. communities as well as school districts, municipal governments, academics (UBCs Human Early Learning Partnership has confirmed the plans viability), businesses, and several other trade

unions. The plan looks to public systems that have been proven to work well and that integrate child care and learning. The Coalition of Child Care Advocates acknowledge implementing the plan and achieving lasting change will require time as well as a cultural shift in the way we do child care, but they and the plans supporters know that work has to start now, especially in light of the ongoing child poverty crisis in B.C. Child care fees in B.C. are the second largest family expense after housing. In Vancouver child care can cost over $1,000 per child per month. Implementing a similar program in Quebec increased womens labour force participation by 3.8 per cent. Twelve years later, the system is paying for itself, thanks to the impact of working mothers increased purchasing power and taxes paid, along with reduced social transfers. COPE 378 and the plans other supporters are urging politicians to commit to the plans vision, including establishing an initial five-year budget commitment and 10-year implementation strategy with annual benchmarks. The up-front cost will be more than worth the benefit to the economy and to parents and children especially those living in poverty.
In Vancouver, child care can cost over $1,000 per child per month

$10 a DAY

Visit

www.cccabc.bc.ca

to learn more and find out how to support the campaign

COPE 378 Local Voice

vOLuMe 8 issue #1 Winter 2013

15

iCBC

Workload Committees: What they are, how they Work and Why its different this time
By jeFF GiLLies, viCe-President, and jaiMe zyGMunt, seniOr uniOn rePresentative

Many COPE 378 members at ICBC have long been struggling under difficult workloads.
Workload was one of the central issues during last years bargaining and, while many people would have liked to see more done, your bargaining committee was able to secure several important provisions aimed at relieving the workload pressure.

WOrkLOad studies
The employer and union agreed that within two years of the new Transformation Program implementation, ICBC will start a workload benchmarking study for job profiles that have been altered or created by the Claims Job Hierarchy. This workload study will result in recommendations for workload standards and metrics: something missing from ICBC business practices for a long time nearly twenty years.

data
Although there have been provisions in the collective agreement, never before have we been able to get ICBC to give us the full scope of data for the entire Corporation. We are hopeful that the workload committees will be given all the information necessary to carry out their functions, and if not, we can grieve this. If we get the complete data by February 1st as ICBC committed to at the bargaining table, this will be a big and positive step forward.

WOrkLOad COMMittees
In addition to the workload study, workload committees will also be established. These committees will be made up of two management representatives (but no Operations Managers) and two unionized employees from within the worksite. The unionized committee members will be either elected or appointed through the union. A chairperson for each committee will be elected by the committee members. The chairperson will be a voting member of the committee, and, to ensure fairness, the position of chair will rotate every six months. These workload committees will investigate, assess, and attempt to resolve concerns the unionized members have about work volume. They will do so by making written recommendations to management which serve the objective of ensuring a fair workload in relation to normal productivity expectations and applicable standards for the job. Workload committees will be provided with pertinent employee productivity information and/or applicable volume standards. Where such standards dont exist for any particular job classification, the committee may include in its recommendations to management that standards be developed. There have been workload committees at ICBC before. Its going to be different this time for a few reasons.

resPOnsive
There will be an appeals process which will allow us to argue benchmarks up the chain of command, all the way to ICBCs Vice-President of Claims.

COPE 378 will be assisting the workload Committees in every way possible, including providing dedicated support from the office to ensure the committees move forward in a timely fashion. Weve heard you loud and clear you need workload relief. Through this process, lets work on it.

16

vOLuMe 8 issue #1 Winter 2013

COPE 378 Local Voice

BC hydro: Policy versus Collective agreement

By GWenne FarreLL, viCe-President and Brad Bastien, seniOr uniOn rePresentative

BC hydrO

We need your help. We need you to be vigilant in your workplaces to ensure your collective agreement rights arent pushed to one side to accommodate these policies.

here is growing confusion at BC Hydro around employer policies versus the collective agreement, flowing from the increased use of policies to police and proscribe employee behaviour. To be clear, policies are guidelines decided unilaterally by the employer. The collective agreement is the legally binding work agreement bargained between your union representatives and the employer. Its come to our attention that recently BC Hydro has been twisting the use of employer policies to broach the area that should be governed by the collective agreement. That is, they are trying to extend the use of policies improperly and by doing so, infringing on your rights to have a say in the contract between you and the employer. Two examples of this practice are: 1. Meals/Per diems: article 5.10 (b) i. states the following Employees entitled to reimbursement of all three meals in a day may claim up to $40.00 per day without receipts; claims over $40.00 per day must be supported by receipts. However, the employer decided their policy was if you had a meal, you could only claim up to the per diem amount for that meal - regardless of whether you provided a receipt or not. In some cases we have heard of managers who believed the BC Hydro expense policy only allowed for payment of the meal itself, not tax or tip. We discussed this issue with the employer during the bargaining process and it is now resolved. 2. annual vacation selection: article 14.06 (a) states: Vacations may be taken in broken periods but normally at least 2 weeks of the years entitlement must be taken as a continuous period. We have heard from members in various departments who are being told by management the policy is that they may only select a maximum of two continuous weeks of vacation. This is clearly in direct contradiction to what is in the collective agreement. We are pursuing correction from the employer.

These policies are quite the departure from past practice. For years the union and the employer enjoyed a collaborative relationship where these matters were discussed, debated and decided in a co-operative forum. In this co-operative process, the union had the opportunity to make sure your rights and quality of life at work were safeguarded. But over the last few years the relationship has eroded and BC Hydro has abandoned this process. The employer is now making unilateral decisions on matters that affect you. We need your help. We need you to be vigilant in your workplaces to ensure your collective agreement rights arent pushed to one side to accommodate these policies. If you are concerned about a possible collective agreement violation, please call the union office or email Vice-President Gwenne Farrell at gfarrell@cope378. ca or Senior Union Representative Brad Bastien at bbastien@cope378.ca.

Vice-President Gwenne Farrell: gfarrell@cope378.ca Senior Union Representative Brad Bastien: bbastien@cope378.ca

COPE 378 Local Voice

vOLuMe 8 issue #1 Winter 2013

17

GettinG invOLved

entertaining, Funny, Moving union videos?

How did you learn about COPE 378?

New Guy Meets Union

Members Powering the Union

www.cope378.ca/member-services

How Your Union Works

You can see these videos at: www.cope378.ca/member-services or on our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/378COPe The videos are both entertaining and informative so please take a few minutes to watch, learn and share!

ow did you learn about COPE 378? Was it when you picked up this magazine for the first time? Did you get an email and click through to the website? Did a job steward take you through the ropes or are you still a little in the dark? If youre not totally sure how your union works, what it does for you, and how you can have a say, youre certainly not alone. We try not to let it hurt our feelings but we know most members dont spend much time thinking about the union until it comes time to bargain a new collective agreement or they need help from a job steward or union representative. Thats okay. Were here for you when you need us. And we do want you to know more about what we can do for you and what you can do to make your union stronger, better, and more responsive. so, were pleased to introduce COPe 378s Member Orientation videos! The first video, New Guy Meets Union, follows a new and very eager member as he learns about the services COPE 378 provides, how to contact the union, the role of the job steward, and where to find more information. This irreverent video takes stylistic cues from sitcom The Office, and plays with a few of the preconceptions and misconceptions some people have about unions. In the second video, Members Powering the Union, current and former COPE 378 stewards talk about the unions history and victories amidst shots of members working at a variety of worksites. Much of this video was filmed on one marathon day, during which the film crew visited several COPE 378 workplaces. The third and final video returns us to the new guy learning more aboutHow Your Union Works. The video uses fun and quirky illustrations to clarify and make engaging what can be a complicated structure to explain.

www.youtube.com/378COPE

18

vOLuMe 8 issue #1 Winter 2013

COPE 378 Local Voice

COPe 378 Gets on Board

By stePhen vOn syChOWski, exeCutive BOard MeMBer

transit

We need the province, TransLink, and the municipalities of Metro Vancouver to come together and seek solutions to sustainably pay for our public transit system...

For more information, visit www.letstalktransit.ca

OPE 378 has recently signed on to a dynamic new campaign around public transit issues in Metro Vancouver. The Get on Board campaign was initially launched by the Alma Mater Society (which is also the employer of two COPE 378 bargaining units) at the University of British Columbia. However, it has since grown into a broad-based coalition. Weve come together, from all corners of Metro Vancouver and with vastly different roles in the economy and in society, to tell the provincial government, TransLink, and voters that enough is enough, said Campaign Director Tanner Bokor in September at a press conference to launch the campaign. Our system cannot continue to afford to run enough adequate service, let alone pay for future expansion. We need the province, TransLink, and the municipalities of Metro Vancouver to come together and seek solutions to sustainably pay for our public transit system. Transit helps build our economy, lowers congestion, creates communities, lowers our carbon footprint, and has become increasingly popular, so much so that ridership levels have grown to exceed the number of buses and trains we have available. The campaign has two basic principles, both of which make a lot of sense to COPE 378 members, many of whom are transit workers, transit riders or both. First, rapid transit projects and major service improvements need sustainable and equitable funding mechanisms. Second, municipalities and regional entities need to be given the power of choice. The relevance of these two demands is made clear by the current funding crisis (rooted in governance crisis) that is plaguing the transit system. The effect on the transit rid-

ing public has been severe, but the effect on many COPE 378 members, and other transit workers, has been even worse. The kneejerk reaction of employers to roll back, cut, slash, and penny pinch has had a serious impact on the working lives and livelihoods of many transit employees. In worst case scenarios it has meant displacement through layoffs, all while setting back the development and growth of the public transit system, which is ever important to our region. The campaigns relevance is also made clear by the broad-based support that they have already attracted, even though the campaign has just begun gathering momentum. This support has come from unions (including those representing transit workers, like COPE 378), student organizations, community associations, business groups, politicians, and environmentalists. Working together, this coalition force of key stakeholders hopes to build awareness around the increasing strain on Metro Vancouvers public transit infrastructure, and support for the need for regional transportation improvements while keeping continued pressure on public officials at the municipal and provincial levels. With the May 2013 provincial election fast approaching, the Get on Board campaign has a real opportunity to push public transit to the forefront as a key election issue. 2013 matters and candidates should have to make a strong commitment to fixing the broken TransLink system if they want the support of transit workers and riders.

Get On Board
A dynamic new public transit issues campaign

COPE 378 Local Voice

vOLuMe 8 issue #1 Winter 2013

19

BarGaininG unit BrieFs

aMs seCurity

BarGaininG unit BrieFs: Winter 2013 editiOn

By CarOL MCLuskie and kiM sMith
agreement are: a four-year agreement with four 1 per cent increases staggered over the last two years of the term, and introduction of a Joint Early Intervention Program. The bargaining committee consists of Clay Little, Brenda Rovner, Darin Feist, Brenda Myers, and Union Representative Sarah Melsness.

After protracted bargaining, this unit ratified its first collective agreement in November. Highlights included a flat rate wage increase of between 8.7 per cent to 22 percent, as well as increases for the next three years of 2, 2, and 2.5 per cent.

BCaa ers

The members at this unit ratified a new collective agreement in November 2012. Some of the highlights include: three-year agreement, wage increases of 2 per cent per year, no voluntary overtime, increase to first aid premiums, increases to employer-supported training. The bargaining committee includes Justyna Edwards, Garry Payne and Union Representative Pat Junnila.

COast MOuntain Bus CO

The collective agreement expired on March 31, 2011. As of mid-January, the nonmonetary items have been completed; however, bargaining has been held in abeyance pending the outcome of the Translink bargaining. The bargaining committee consists of Stephen Von Sychowski, Ray Manning, Ron Williams, Doug Fergus and Union Representative Kevin Payne.

BCaa sC

COastaL COMMunity Credit uniOn

The members at this unit ratified a new collective agreement in November 2012. Some of the highlights include: three-year agreement, wage increases of 2 per cent per year, no voluntary overtime, increase to first aid premiums, increases to employer-supported training. The bargaining committee includes Paul Bachin, Maureen Skibo and Union Representative Pat Junnila.

The collective agreement expires June 30, 2013. The union expects to be at the bargaining table by March 2013. The bargaining committee consists of Laurie Kirk, Wanda Neil, Emma OSullivan, Donna Hedley, Cheryl-Ann Labonte, Colleen Berge and Union Representative Jack Gerow.

COastaL COMMunity insuranCe

BC FederatiOn OF LaBOur

The collective agreement for this unit expired on April 30, 2012. The parties have met and have exchanged proposals. Several non-monetary and housekeeping items have been signed off. The parties met again in late January and a general membership meeting was held. The bargaining committee consists of Susan Orr, Ingrid Ericson and Union Representative, Kevin Smyth.

The collective agreement expires December 31, 2013. However, this past December, the parties met to discuss protocol issues for the upcoming negotiations and the union hopes to be at the bargaining table this September. The bargaining committee consists of Laura White, Myra Charlton, Sunshine Defrane and Union Representative Jack Gerow.

COraL CaBs

BCFMWu

The collective agreement expired on December 31, 2011. The employer is considering dates to meet with the union. The bargaining committee consists of Ernie Baliss and Union Representative Dave Park.

The bargaining committee has met and drafted proposals based on the results of the survey. The parties have scheduled dates to meet in late September. The bargaining committee consists of Jenny Rouse, Vicki Barta and Union Representative Kevin Smyth.

da tOWnLey & assOCiates

BCGeu

The collective agreement for this unit expired on December 31, 2010. The parties have reached a tentative agreement on which the members will be voting on January 15th. The bargaining committee consists of Colleen Finn, Lina Johal and Senior Union Representative Glen MacInnes.

The collective agreement expired on March 31, 2012. The new collective agreement has been drafted and the first pass of proofing is almost complete. Once the new collective agreement is signed, it will be posted on the COPE Local 378 website. The bargaining committee consists of Sherry Baker, Karon Hardy, Lorrie Burnell as an alternate and Union Representative Bonnie Merriman.

dOLLar thriFty

BC hydrO

The collective agreement for the members at this unit expired on December 31, 2012. Notice to commence collective bargaining has been sent to the employer. A survey is being drafted to send to the members The bargaining committee has not yet been struck, Glen MacInnes will be conducting bargaining for the union.

The collective agreement for the COPE 378 members at BC Hydro expired on March 31, 2012. Members voted to accept the proposed terms of settlement in December 2012. The new agreement is a two-year agreement with a 1 per cent increase each 6 months going back to April 1, 2012. Other highlights include: expansion of immediate family to the bereavement language, new statutory holiday Family Day and a change in Length of Service increases resulting in a gain for members. The bargaining committee consists of Bojan Bucic, Andrea Foster, Calvin Jonas, Rysa Kronebusch, Sharon Thomas, Senior Union Representative Brad Bastien and Vice-President Gwenne Farrell.

eCOjustiCe

The collective agreement expired on November 30, 2012. The union and employer are in discussions to set bargaining dates for February 2013. The bargaining survey has been sent to the membership and the bargaining committee will meet to compile the proposals. The bargaining committee consists of Kimberley Shearon and Union Representative Carrol Edwards.

FOrtis BC

BC transit

The collective agreement expired on March 31, 2012. The parties are now dealing with the last of the monetary items. Plans are being made to meet again at end of January The bargaining committee consists of: Sal Fullolo, Debbie Yablonski, John Hicks and Union Representative Kevin Payne.

BeaCh PLaCe ventures (BLaCktOP taxi)

The collective agreement expired on January 31, 2012. On November 1, 2012, the members voted in favour of accepting the proposed terms of settlement, which includes wage increases as follows: 2.5 per cent retroactive to February 1, 2011 and 2 per cent retroactive to February 1, 2012, and another 2 per cent forthcoming on February 1, 2013. Other highlights include: improved educational funding and educational leave of absence, Work Leader premium, and increased vehicle mileage and per diem rates. The bargaining committee consists of: Kari Campbell, Richard Gaylard, Kate Koczor, Rick Meakes and Union Representative Kevin Smyth.

The collective agreement expired June 30, 2011. The new collective agreement has been ratified and is in the process of being proofread. Retroactive pay for 2011 has been paid. The bargaining committee consists of Sean Behjatnejad, Laurie Farbatuk and Dave Park, Union Representative.

FOrtis enerGy inC.

The collective agreement expired on March 31, 2012. The parties are now discussing monetary items. The bargaining committee consists of Tim Bouzovetsky, Darlene Freeman, Norm Stickelmann and Senior Union Representative Brad Bastien.

BerLitz

hastinGs raCeCOurse

The collective agreement expired on June 30, 2011. The union tabled bargaining proposals on December 18, 2012. The employer did not table proposals and verbally presented a rollover agreement. We are seeking further bargaining dates in late January or early February. The bargaining committee consists of Jennifer Williams, Collin Patterson and Union Representative Sarah Melsness.

Bargaining surveys were sent out in October and the union is in the process of compiling proposals and setting up bargaining dates. The bargaining bommittee consists of Greg Goulding, Keith Parksinson, Margaret Sykes and Karen Rockwell, Union Representative.

iCBC

BOnnys taxi

The collective agreement expired on June 30, 2011. The employer is refusing to come back to the bargaining table after the parties exchanged proposals in July. The union filed a complaint to the Labour Board and now have two dates set for bargaining for the middle of December. The bargaining committee consists of Cyndi Nilssen-Frigstad and Union Representative Dave Park.

The collective agreement expired on June 30, 2010. The agreement was ratified on November 30th by the members and on December 6th by the employer. The bargaining committee consists of Mike Ferguson, Karin Cirez, Jeff Gillies, Joyce Galuska, Trevor Hansen, Yasmin Carroll and Senior Union Representative Jaime Zygmunt.

isLand savinGs Cu & insuranCe

CaPiLanO Pet hOsPitaL

This is a newly organized bargaining unit. The parties have almost completed the nonmonetary items and will move on to bargain the monetary items. Dates have been set for late January to continue bargaining. The bargaining committee consists of Anna Stewart, Chere Croteau and Senior Union Representative Glen MacInnes.

The collective agreement expires June 30, 2013. The parties have agreed to commence negotiations in February 2013 and hope to have the new collective agreement settled before the current collective agreement expires. The bargaining committee consists of Sandy Gill, Nancy Barrett and Union Representative Jack Gerow.

kekinOW native hOusinG sOCiety

CaPiLanO university

In December 2012, the members at this bargaining unit voted in favour of ratifying a new 4 year collective agreement, with no concessions. Some of the highlights of the

The collective agreement expired on March 31, 2010. The proposals have been prepared and reviewed with our bargaining committee; however, management will not be available until the New Year. The bargaining committee consists of Terry Frank and Union Representative Bonnie Merriman. 20 | vOLuMe 8 issue #1 Winter 2013 COPE 378 Local Voice

More info at cope378.ca

BarGaininG unit BrieFs

kOniCa MinOLta

The collective agreement expired on March 31, 2012. After a final day of mediation between the parties, with the assistance of Grant McArthur, on December 3, 2012 a tentative settlement was reached. The ratification was held on December 12th and a majority of members voted to accept the tentative settlement. The bargaining committee consists of Dal Dosanjh, Clinton Neal and Union Representative Scott Watson.

transLink

The collective agreement expired on March 31, 2012. The parties met to exchange proposals on January 8, 2013. A date has been scheduled for January 24th for the parties to meet again to continue bargaining. The bargaining committee consists of: Pat Keeping, Rob Gladwin, Dave Bunderla, Sara Dhaliwal, Dan Dickhout and Union Representative Kevin Payne.

LadysMith and distriCt Credit uniOn

tree isLand

The collective agreement expired on June 30, 2012. The employer has demanded a concessionary collective agreement. The employer continues to demand concessions and a three-year collective agreement at 0 per cent, 0 per cent and 1 per cent. Negotiations resumed in December under the auspices of an LRB Mediator but were not successful. The membership will be meeting in January 2013 to decide their goforward strategy. The bargaining committee consists of are Shelly Ricketts, Shelley Jones and Union Representative Jack Gerow.

The collective agreement for the members at Tree Island Industries expired on September 30, 2012. A general membership meeting was held in December 2012 and the parties met January 22, 2013 to exchange proposals. The bargaining committee consists of Doug Howard, Hani Dakkak and Union Representative Kevin Smyth.

tWu

LuMa native hOusinG sOCiety

The collective agreement expired on December 31, 2011.The parties ratified and signed the new collective agreement, the term of which is January 1 2012 to December 31, 2016. The bargaining committee consists of Doreen Mayer, Lorrie Sandell and Union Representative Scott Watson.

The collective agreement expired on July 31st, 2011. The bargaining committee met and finalized proposals. Dates have yet to be scheduled to meet with the employer. The bargaining committee consists of Linda Lund, Bill Nielsen and Senior Union Representative Glen MacInnes.

united FisherMan & aLLied WOrker uniOn

Marine WOrkers & BOiLerMakers

The collective agreement expired on December 31, 2012. The survey will be sent out soon. The bargaining committee will be chosen soon to assist Union Representative Bonnie Merriman.

The collective agreement expires on December 31, 2012. The surveys should be out before Christmas. The bargaining committee consists of Nancy Batchelor and Union Representative Bonnie Merriman.

vanCOuver shiPyards

seasPan Marine COrPOratiOn

The collective agreement expired on February 28, 2011.The renewed collective agreement that was ratified by the members has now been implemented, with payment of retroactive wages to March 1, 2011 completed. The bargaining committee consists of Dale Gibson and Union Representative Jackie Brown.

The collective agreement expires on February 28, 2013. The Poly-Party unions met several times to develop bargaining proposals. The parties have met a few times and have two days per week until the end of January scheduled to continue negotiations. The bargaining committee consists of Jim Reith and Union Representative Jackie Brown.

vanCOuver taxi (adBa CentraL taxi disPatCh)

seiu

The collective agreement expired on December 31, 2010. The parties have ratified the new collective agreement. The changes to the collective agreement are in the process of being incorporated and will then be proofread. The bargaining committee consists of Cathy Conley and Union Representative Bonnie Merriman.

The collective agreement expired on June 30, 2011. The employer has avoided meeting your bargaining committee at the table after they exchanged proposals in August. Dates were set for November and the employer cancelled them. The union has decided to file a complaint to the Labour Board. The bargaining committee consists of Bernie Stroh and Union Representative Dave Park.

vantaGe One Credit uniOn

teaMsters 31

The Collective Agreement expired on March 31st, 2011. The parties are seeking dates to commence bargaining. The bargaining committee consists of Stephanie Pike and Union Representative Barry Hodson.

The collective agreement expired on November 30, 2012. The unions bargaining committee has negotiated and ratified a new collective agreement with the employer. The collective agreement provides for a 9 per cent lift in wages over four years with 2.25 per cent payable each year in monthly payments of 1.125 per cent every 6 months during the term of the collective agreement. In addition to a number of language changed, the pension plan has a 1 per cent lift during the term of the collective agreement. The bargaining committee consists of Debbie Mihalcea, Darlene Jaeger and Union Representative Jack Gerow.

teaMsters 213

viCtOria shiPyards

The collective agreement expired on March 31st, 2011. On November 8, 2012 the members voted in favour of ratifying a new collective agreement. Some of the highlights are: a six-year deal with 2 per cent each year from 2013 to 2015 and 3 per cent in 2016, a $350 signing bonus, increases to pension contributions. The bargaining committee consists of Sheila Hogan, Jenny Herb and Union Representative Barry Hodson.

The collective agreement expires on February 28, 2013. The Poly-Party Unions met several times to develop bargaining proposals. Dates to commence negotiations in December 2012 have been postponed to January 2013. The bargaining committee consists of Becky Sebastiano and Union Representative Jackie Brown.

WestMinster savinGs Cu

teaMsters 213 MeMBers BeneFit PLan

The collective agreement expired on March 31st, 2011. The parties are scheduled to meet to exchange proposals on November 5th, 2012. Further dates to continue bargaining have yet to be set. The bargaining committee consists of Dianne Cecchin, Carol Cumming and Union Representative Barry Hodson.

The collective agreement expired December 31, 2012. The parties commenced collective bargaining in December. The employer is seeking numerous concessions. Negotiations will resume in January 2013. The bargaining committee consists of Rosie Tzortzatos, Shannon McRae and Union Representative Jack Gerow.

yeLLOW PaGes

teLetheatre BC

The collective agreement for the members at this bargaining unit expired January 15, 2012. Notice to commence bargaining has been sent to the employer and the members have been surveyed. Dates have not yet been set to commence bargaining. The bargaining committee consists of Harry Judge and Union Representative Karen Rockwell. The complete committee has not yet been struck.

transit POLiCe

The collective agreement expired on June 30, 2012. YPG is unionized in Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and B.C. First to the bargaining table will be the Ontario local union to be followed by the Alberta location union and then B.C. YPG union locals across Canada (B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec) met in December at the unions offices in Burnaby to discuss common collective bargaining strategies with YPG. The bargaining committee consists of Traian Moldovan, Tim Nemeth, Patrick Evangelista, Ken Simms and Union Representative Jack Gerow.

A survey was sent and two focus groups have been held. The bargaining committee will meet to go over proposals and draft proposals.

is PuBLished By
Canadian Office and Professional employees union, Local 378, 2nd Floor, 4595 Canada Way, Burnaby, B.C. v5G 1j9 POstaL aGreeMent #41267023

Phone: 604-299-0378 Fax: 604-299-8211 e-mail: editor@cope378.ca issn 1918-9753 COPe Local 378 voice COPe 378: President david Black Secretary-Treasurer Lori Mayhew

LOCaL vOiCe editor: sage aaron usW 2009 desiGned By: dansk design Group danskdesigngroup.com Printed at: Mitchell Press, Burnaby, B.C.

COPE 378 Local Voice

vOLuMe 8 issue #1 Winter 2013

21

retired Or aPPrOaChinG retireMent

BC FOruM

YOUR MEMBERSHIP IN BC FORUM:

It is COPE 378 policy to pay for the first years BC FORUM membership for retired COPE 378 members with at least 20 years service. Retired members wishing to have their first years membership paid by the local should forward a completed membership application form to the COPE 378 Burnaby office with their request for processing.

1. Helps build solidarity across the generations, strengthens the labour movement, and supports the and 1. Helps to to build solidarity across the generations, strengthens the labour movement, fight for a civil society and social justice for retired workers, active workers who are 50 or older, and our families. supports the fight for a civil society and social justice for retired workers, active workers who 2. Includes free $2,500 coverage in BC FORUMs Group Accident Insurance Plan with world-wide death and are 50 or older, and our families. disability coverage to age 86 (the maximum we were able to negotiate). 2. Includes free $2,500 coverage in BC FORUMs Group Accident Insurance Plan with world3. Entitles you to special negotiated group rates on many products and services, including: wide death and disability coverage to age 86 (the maximum we were able to negotiate). Home and tenant insurance 3. Entitles you health and dental coverage to special negotiated group rates on many products and services, including: Extended Home and tenant insurance Travel package discounts and insurance Extended health planning and advice Professional financialand dental coverage Income tax servicesdiscounts and insurance Travel package 4. Includes a free subscription to the BC FORUM newsletter, The Advocate, keeping you in touch with issues that Includes a free subscription to the BC FORUM newsletter, The Advocate, keeping you in 4. touch with issues and affect retired workers and our families. affect retired workers that our families.

BC BC

Keep building the movement join or renew today!

are only possible through the power counts on also havetravel packages Members selected access to disof Membership dues are $20 a year and income selected travel packages. group negotiations. counts on tax services. Our newsletter, newsletter, The Advocate, you Our The Advocate, will inform will or $49 for three years. Your memMembership dues are $20 a year about current initiatives. initiatives. inform you about current bership includes free coverage under or $49 for three years. Your mem- There are more than 100,000 retired There are more B.C. 100,000 we BC FORUMs $2,500 group accident bership includes free coverage un- union members in than Together, reinsurance FORUMs $2,500 group tired be a powerful voice B.C. the wellder BC plan. Optional benefits in- can union members in for Togethaccident insurance plan. extended being of be families. clude homeowner, tenant, Optional er, we canour a powerful voice for the benefits include travel insurance. health, dental, andhomeowner, ten- well-being of our families. ant, extended health, dental, and Join or renew by sending in the form Join or online at www.bcforum.ca. Members also travel insurance. have access to fi- below, or renew by sending in the form
of group negotiations. nancial advice and planning, disbelow, or online at www.bcforum.ca.

FORUM is a registered FORUM is a regisnon-profit society for tered nonprofit sociretired for retired union ety union members, and activeand active age 50 and over. members, members members age 50 We are dedicated to representing the and over. We are dedicated to repreinterests and well-being well-being of senting the interests and of members, members, their families and their families and spouses. spouses. Membership BC FORUM allows Membership in in BC FORUM allows you to realize the kind of savings on you to realize the kind of savings on programs, services and products that programs, services and products that are only possible through the power

#
q New q Renewal Name:
LAST

B.C. Federation of Retired Union Members #200 - 5118 Joyce St., Vancouver, V5R 4H1 604 688-4565 1 800 896-5678 Fax: 604 430-5917 bcforum@bcfed.ca www.bcforum.ca

Membership Application or Renewal

FIRST INITIAL STREET ADDRESS CITY POSTAL CODE

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Address: |__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__| Phone: Union:

|__|__|__| |__|__|__|__|__|__|__| E-mail: |__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__| |__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|

Date of birth:* |__|__| |__|__| |__|__|__|__|
DAY MONTH YEAR DAY MONTH YEAR

Spouses name: |__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__| I am enclosing a cheque for q $20 - 1 year q $49 - 3 years, or Please charge my q Visa or q MasterCard: Card number: |__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__| Expiry date: |__|__| / |__|__| Automatic renewal?** q Yes q No
* Required for your free group insurance coverage ** Only available via credit card

Spouses birth date:* |__|__| |__|__| |__|__|__|__|

You can also renew online at bcforum.ca

SIGNATURE

Date of application: |__|__| |__|__| |__|__|__|__|

DAY MONTH YEAR

12 The Advocate, May2011

22 | vOLuMe 8 issue #1 Winter 2013 COPE 378 Local Voice

COPe 378 members work at the following properties

accenture Business services Union Reps: Barry Hodson, Pat Junnila, Sarah Melsness, Karen Rockwell alma Mater society Union Rep: Sarah Melsness aviscar Union Rep: Glen MacInnes BCaa sC & ers Union Rep: Pat Junnila BC Computerized dispatch (yellow Cab) Union Rep: Jackie Brown BC Federation of Labour Union Rep: Kevin Smyth BC Ferry & Marine Workers union Union Rep: Kevin Smyth BCGeu Union Rep: Bonnie Merriman BC hydro (including Powertech Construction services) Union Reps: Barry Hodson, Pat Junnila, Barbara Junker, Glen MacInnes, Sarah Melsness, Karen Rockwell BC nurses union Union Rep: Bonnie Merriman BC transit Union Rep: Kevin Payne Beach Place ventures Union Rep: Jackie Brown Berlitz Canada Union Rep: Sarah Melsness Bonnys taxi Union Rep: Jackie Brown Burvic holdings Union Rep: Barry Hodson Canadian Freightways Ltd. Union Rep: Kevin Payne Canadian northern shield/rsa Union Rep: Jackie Brown Capilano university Union Rep: Sarah Melsness Carpenters Local 1928 Union Rep: Bonnie Merriman Catalyst Paper Union Rep: Barry Hodson Ciatu Union Rep: Bonnie Merriman Coast Mountain Bus Union Rep: Kevin Payne Coastal Community Credit union Union Rep: Jack Gerow Coastal Community insurance Union Rep: Jack Gerow College of Pharmacists of BC Union Rep: Barry Hodson College of registered nurses Union Rep: Glen MacInnes Columbia hydro Union Rep: Brad Bastien Columbia valley Credit union Union Rep: Jack Gerow Community savings Credit union Union Rep: Jack Gerow Coral Cabs (richmond taxi) Union Rep: Jackie Brown CuPe 3338 Union Rep: Barbara Junker CuPe 454 Union Rep: Barbara Junker CuPe 374 Union Rep: Barbara Junker CuPe 1978 Union Rep: Barbara Junker CuPe BC & Locals Union Rep: Barbara Junker da townley & associates Union Rep: Glen MacInnes dollar thrifty Union Rep: Glen MacInnes ecojustice Union Rep: Carrol Edwards electrical industry training institute Union Rep: Brian Nelson enterprise rent-a-Car Union Rep: Glen MacInnes FortisBC Customer service Centres Union Rep: Kevin Smyth FortisBC energy inc. Union Rep: Kevin Smyth FortisBC inc. Union Rep: Kevin Smyth Greyhound Union Rep: Kevin Payne Gulf & Fraser Fishermens Credit union Union Rep: Jack Gerow handy Pack Union Rep: Kevin Smyth hastings entertainment inc. Union Rep: Karen Rockwell hertz Union Rep: Glen MacInnes iCBC Union Reps: Carrol Edwards, Vic Foth, Brian Nelson, Kelly Quinn island savings Credit union and insurance Union Rep: Jack Gerow iWa Forest industry PP Union Rep: Barry Hodson kekinow native housing society Union Rep: Jackie Brown kelowna Cabs Ltd. Union Rep: Jackie Brown konica Minolta Union Rep: Jackie Brown kruger Products (scott Paper) Union Rep: Karen Rockwell Ladysmith & district Cu Union Rep: Jack Gerow Lake City Casinos Union Rep: Karen Rockwell LuMa native housing society Union Rep: Jackie Brown MacLures Cabs Ltd. Union Rep: Jackie Brown Marine Workers & Boilermakers Union Rep: Bonnie Merriman Master trade Office Union Rep: Bonnie Merriman new democratic Party Union Rep: Sarah Melsness Open solutions Union Rep: Jack Gerow Pacific vehicle testing Union Rep: Kevin Payne schneider Union Rep: Glen MacInnes seaspan international Ltd. Union Rep: Jackie Brown seiu 244 Union Rep: Bonnie Merriman southern railway Union Rep: Jackie Brown teamsters Local 31 Union Rep: Glen MacInnes teamsters Local 155 Union Rep: Glen MacInnes teamsters Local 213 & 213 Member Benefit Plan Union Rep: Glen MacInnes telecommunications Workers union (tWu) Union Rep: Glen MacInnes telecommunication Workers Pension Plan Union Rep: Barry Hodson teletheatre BC Union Rep: Karen Rockwell thunderbird Winter sports Union Rep: Sarah Melsness trade union research Bureau Union Rep: Barry Hodson transLink Union Rep: Kevin Payne tree island Union Rep: Kevin Smyth united Fishermen & allied Worker union Union Rep: Bonnie Merriman vancouver shipyards Ltd. Union Rep: Jackie Brown vancouver taxi Ltd. (Central taxi dispatch) Union Rep: Jackie Brown vantageOne Credit union Union Rep: Jack Gerow victoria shipyards Ltd. Union Rep: Jackie Brown victoria trade union Union Rep: Bonnie Merriman Westminster savings Credit union Union Rep: Jack Gerow Working enterprises Union Rep: Jackie Brown xylem (formerly itt Flygt) Union Rep: Barry Hodson yellow Pages Union Rep: Jack Gerow

COPE 378 Local Voice

vOLuMe 8 issue #1 Winter 2013

23

CUSTOM CARTOONS FOR COPE378 MEMBERS

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