cupe15-Issue13

The newsletter of CUPE Local 15, Vancouver Municipal Education and Community Workers

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Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to:CUPE Local 15545 W. 10th Ave.Vancouver, BCV5Z 1K9

The Members’voice

General Membership MeetingJANUARY

Date & Time: Wednesday, January 27, 5:30 p.m.

Location: Polish Hall, 4015 Fraser St. (at 24th)

Under Discussion:

• Fallout from COV 2010 Operating Budget• Notices of Motion: see page 3• By-election for Secretary Treasurer &

College Sector Representative• VSB 2010 Budget Shortfall

Meetings provide all members with an opportunity to participate in decisions that affect the union. (Childcare assistance and Interpretation available upon request.) 2010

A new look at the public education funding crisisBURNABY —A financial crisis currently plagues BC public schools. CUPE National research representative John Malcolmson offers a new look at how and where the crisis is happening.

The signs of the public education funding crisis are everywhere. Parents are increasingly roiled with the ongoing assault on what public schools are able to offer their children. School trustees are starting to move to a more assertive political stance after years of concern over the program cuts they find themselves forced to make. Even senior district administrators are starting to question the role foisted on them as they as stare at worsening cutback scenarios increasing unable to stave off rising revenue shortfalls.

How can we make sense of a system under perpetual duress to ratchet down what it is able to offer its students? And how is a steady stream of cutback news to be squared with the increased expectations that our provincial government places on the doorstep of our public schools?

The Ministry of Education’s (MOE) role in all of this is one of fast-freezing annual budgetary allocation, while disclaiming responsibility for program impacts. Fingers are routinely pointed at boards and administrators, supposed culprits whose standards of financial management must somehow be deficient.

This policy response is succinctly reflected in the perpetual MOE mantra of “the most funding ever... hundreds of millions in new spending,” a site-licensed mantra chanted with monotonous regularity by virtually every government MLA when asked questions linked to the sorry state of public school finance.

It is useful to take a step back and look more systematically at the yawning gap separating stagnant funding levels on the one side, and the relentless march of school cost obligations on the other. Doing this yields an interesting picture. Consider the following:

Our schools are highly dependent on the province for grant money – 95 per cent of all

revenue comes in the form of provincial grants, a figure up sharply since school districts lost the right to control property taxes two decades ago. If Victoria fails to provide the necessary cash, it makes for big problems at the school district level.Those districts best able to loosen the fiscal noose are the ones most adept at navigating the unsure path to increased entrepreneurship with the push to market BC school services internationally. Last year foreign students brought in almost $130 million in fee revenue. A few boards successfully cornered the market on offshore earnings; the bottom half of districts got less than two per cent of this revenue. This shows that international education is not the financial panacea some make it out to be.

Cross-district migration of students was officially sanctioned by Victoria earlier this decade,

ostensibly to offer parents and students more choice in program offerings. Increasingly, however, migration offers interested parents a desperate chance to stay just one step ahead of cuts following close on their heels.

Falling enrolment is supposed to ease matters – fewer students to educate should ease the financial pressure. But, when a district currently loses a student, more than $5800 in revenue dries up while cost “savings” total an estimated $2800. That leaves a $3000 per capita crater in district budgets which has to be made up in “greater efficiencies.” The latter is a code phrase for school closures, program, service and staff cuts, and more fees for parents in areas like student busing.

How then are we to make sense of schools’ current financial difficulties? Mounting evidence from different boards around the province points to an emerging “structural funding shortfall” in provincial funding support. This shortfall is the product of at least three interdependent processes:

The downloading of new unfunded or underfunded cost obligations by the province (such as the HST, all-day kindergarten, carbon compliance, etc.) Con’t on pg. 4

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Hppy New Year! I hope you and your family had a safe and enjoyable holiday. Looking forward there is no doubt that 2010 is going to be an interesting and

challenging year for us on many fronts.

The Olympics, which are only days away, are going to impact everyone, whether it’s commuting to work or our direct involvement with the games.

At the time of writing this message our local is still working out details with the City of Vancouver for several hundred of our members who are required to support the City’s Olympic operations.

It is definitely not going to be business as usual and members should be prepared. This is predominantly due to the City’s Olympic Partnership Agreement that our union is bound by. We will do everything we can to prevent the City from taking advantage of this opportunity to alter the working conditions of members.

At the same time the Olympics are taking place we will be dealing with the fallout from the City’s

Operating Budget and Shared Service Review, which was approved by City Council, much to our disappointment.

Mayor Robertson and Council chose to approve a minimal 2.26% property tax increase resulting in $18 million having to be cut from the budget. This will impact programs and services contrary to the near unanimous wishes from the public and many organizations, including CUPE 15. Over 150 FTEs are identified to be cut and our union still has not been provided any real detail from the employer. Our Executive Board and staff are currently making preparations in order to fully assist members when needed. We are also continuing our efforts to minimize the cuts by utilizing the grievance procedure and our application to the BC Labour Relations Board.

We remain extremely concerned with the obscene levels of exempt/managerial employees at the City which is nearly topping the 800 point. This is costing the City a huge premium and Vancouver tax payers are getting ripped off as a result. Our union will continue to be vocal on this issue until it’s properly addressed.

Over the coming weeks our local will continue preparing for negotiations with Langara College, Emily Carr, and the Vancouver School Board as the collective agreements expire in the Spring. Membership bargaining surveys are being developed for us to hear suggestions for improvements to the collective agreements.

These negotiations will be difficult in light of the Campbell Government imposed 0% cost mandate. With this in mind I believe we need to be more tactical in our strategy as there is no rush to get a bad deal. That deal is always there. I strongly believe the labour movement must coordinate and be united more than ever to achieve real gains for our collective memberships.

Not to be too gloomy about the New Year I must flag my great concern about the projected deficit for the Vancouver School Board that now sits between $18 and $30 million. This by far is one of the largest shortfalls that the VSB has ever faced and I don’t want to even think how devastating it will be to the Vancouver school system if that amount of money is cut. There simply are no more cuts that can be made at VSB without affecting the level of education provided to students. The workloads for our members are already over the top and it’s time for the BC Liberals to start properly funding school districts across the province. It infuriates me that this government continues to fund private schools in BC while at the same time it is starving the public system.

So another year is here and once again its looks like our union will be busy. I want to thank in advance our Executive Board, Staff, National Representatives, Shop Stewards and all the other activists. We are fortunate to have them for the work they are going to do on behalf of our union and membership. Have a good year.

Happy New Year to you! President’s Messageby Paul Faoro

Update from your Executive

Paul Faoro, President

Secretary Treasurer’s Messageby Betty McGee, Acting Secretary Treasurer

I have been in the position of Secretary Treasurer for approximately three months at the time of writing this article. It has been an extraordinary experience and I am still amazed at the variety of tasks inherent in this position.

The Secretary Treasurer is responsible for overseeing the financial well being of the Union and the Society. In this capacity I have worked closely with the Finance Committee and the Accounting Coordinator in developing the budget that was presented to and passed by the membership at the November General meeting.

The Finance Committee and Secretary Treasurer work throughout the year to ensure that the financial policies of the Union and the Society are adhered to and I am pleased to report that we have worked on streamlining a

numbers of forms and processes that will facilitate more effective reporting and tracking of expenses.

December was an extremely busy month for everyone in the union office. Much time and energy was expended on ensuring that City Councillors and the Park Board Commissioners heard the

union’s concerns and our ideas on how to mitigate the budget shortfall. The decisions they made in December are upsetting and frankly difficult to understand.

The levels of exempt staff and the ongoing exemptions of even more staff are at best bewildering and a considerable disappointment. Labour relations were at an all time low following the strike of 2007 and many of us saw the change in personalities at City Hall as a positive step for the future. We had hoped for a return to a time when our work on behalf of the taxpayers of Vancouver was valued and respected. It is difficult to accept that the change has made little difference in our ability to advocate for our members and that there continues to be support for a level of exempt staffing that has been called into question by many.

The ConservatoryAlthough the issue of infrastructure deficiencies are seldom the responsibility of any one elected board but rather the cumulative effect of a number of councils or commissioners who have failed to address these deficiencies, each elected official is responsible for ensuring the that budget decisions they approve each year are addressing those issues effectively. Why was this incredible facility allowed to decline to a point where it is not possible for a Park Board budget to support the ongoing maintenance costs? Who is responsible for this lack of planning and proper budgeting? How is it that despite the multitude of exempt staff charged with bringing their expertise to these issues there is the shocking failure to accomplish the task of protecting these valuable assets? Furthermore, how is it that the current elected officials of this City have condoned this failure by continuing to

support an exempt staff component that has burgeoned to a ratio of 13 to 1. It is unacceptable that the taxpayers of this city are being asked to tolerate loss of services and facilities while they continue to fund an expensive top heavy bureaucracy.

ElectionsAs many of you are aware Donalda Greenwell-Baker, who holds the Secretary-Treasurer position in our local, requested and was granted a four month leave of absence from her position. The term of that leave will expire at the end of January and Sister Donalda has submitted a letter of resignation effective that date. Sister Donalda continues her work in support of trade unionists at CUPE/HEU and on behalf of the membership I want to wish her well in this work and thank her for the many years of service to the members of CUPE Local 15.

As a result of Sister Donalda’s resignation a by-election for the remaining three months of the Secretary Treasurer’s term will be held at the January 27th General Meeting. Nominations for the Secretary Treasurer’s position and the vacant college sector position may be put forward on the floor and the vote will be conducted once nominations close.

Please note that the January General Membership Meeting will be held at the Polish Hall at 24th and Fraser at 5:30 p.m. Despite the challenges with respect to noise we have again booked the Polish Community Centre for January, February, and March which will take us past the Olympic period when hopefully we can find a permanent home in one of our own facilities.

Thanks for the past few months, it’s been great!

Betty McGee, Acting Secretary Treasurer

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Letters, Notices, & Updates

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The deadline for submissions is 9:00 a.m. on the first Wednesday of each month. All submissions may be edited for brevity and clarity. Signed articles and letters do not necessarily reflect the views or policy of CUPE Local 15.

Email:[email protected] mail545 W. 10th Ave.,Vancouver V5Z 1K9

My name is Sevy Anast and I am a SSA at Nootka Elementary. I am returning to work March 22, 2010 from my maternity leave and am looking for a job share partner. If you are interested in working Monday, Friday, and alternating Thursdays (days are negotiable) please contact me at [email protected]. SSA position at Hamber House Adolescent Day Treatment Program. This is an interministerial program focusing on adolescents dealing with mental health issues. Hamber House is a loving supporting environment with a dedicated team of professionals. Work days would be Monday, Tuesday, and alternate Wednesdays. If you are interested please contact Connie Rand at 604-808-1791 or Hamber House at 604-876-9276.

Job Share Opportunities

Bursary Thank-yous! I would like to give my thanks to you for your contribution towards my education.

I am currently studying Motion Picture Production at Capilano University and am enjoying the challenge of this new level of learning.

With your help, my options for future education are now much wider. My hope is to work my way through school and head out into the film industry, following my passion for film making. This dependents’ bursary from CUPE Local 15 is much appreciated.

Yours sincerely,Mitch Hopkins

I am writing in regards to my bursary recently received from CUPE 15.

I presently work at Trout Lake Community Centre in the youth department and have done so for nearly four years. I am a full time student currently working on my degree in Child and Youth Care though the University of Victoria.

Being a full time student makes it difficult to work an adequate amount of hours to sustain my school fees and cost of living. I rely heavily on bursaries and scholarships each semester and was greatly relived for the extra support this bursary will provide me with.

Overall I would just like to express my gratitude. Being a student is extremely costly and any support is greatly appreciated. I would like to thank CUPE 5 and its members for considering the financial hardships that many students undergo.

Sincerely,Riley Djoric, Youth Worker, Parks

Notices of MotionBy-Law Amendment: Moved by Warren Williams and seconded by Kenny Brett.

1. That CUPE Local 15 raise their per diems to fall in line with CUPE BC’s per diem rates as follows:

- $74 per day for all day meetings (when no meals are provided)

- $37 per half day meetings (when no meal is provided)

- $15 per day for meetings when meals are provided

CUPE Local 15 is one of the largest CUPE locals in the lower mainland, and living in Vancouver costs for members are much higher than other rural areas within BC. Per diems should assist members in their expenses, and members should not be out of pocket using their own expenses to attend and assist the union.

Executive Recommendation

The Executive recommends approval of the notice of motion submitted with the following amendments:

The title “Delegates to Conventions, Councils” as per Section 27 of the Bylaws be amended to read “Delegates to Conventions, Councils, and Conferences”.Section 27.3 be changed from $50 to $74. The main intent of the Executive Board’s proposed amendment is to only have the increase apply to out of town events

The Executive Decidedby Betty McGee, A/Secretary Treasurer

At the November and December 2009 Executive meetings the following decisions were made:

• To hold the Stewards’ Recognition Dinner in April 2010

• To approve staff training costs for Outlook 2007

• To approve April 9, 10 and 11 as dates for the Activist Training Weekend.

• To approve the cost ($150.00) of a draw prize for members who submit home email addresses as a means of establishing better communications with members

• To approve the Christmas donations to downtown lodges as per policy

• To approve the cost for the Annual CUPE Local 15 Open House event

• To approve the cost of a broadcast phone message encouraging taxpayers to complete the Think City Budget Survey.

• To approve the cost of membership ($150) in the Pacific Northwest Labour History Association and the purchase of calendars from this organization

Donation Thanks Thank you so much for your donation. Your support is vital to our Christmas programming. As part of our mission providing cost free services ensures that some of the most vulnerable and least fortunate may forget their troubles for a time.

Bless you. Matthew Matthew,President, Carnegie Community Centre Association

Bill 29 Education Fund Thank you CUPE 15 for supporting my education through the Bill 29 Education Fund! I am grateful for the opportunity to connect with other service providers and to examine emerging issues in my field through an online course at York University.

I look forward to applying the knowledge gained in this course in my work.

Thank you.

Sara Young, Vancouver Coastal Health

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News & Updates

submitted by Santino Scardillo, Co-Chair, Union Education Committee

On behalf of the Union Education Committee I would like to wish all the members and their families a very happy 2010.

The Education Committee is gearing up for an exciting year. Once again we are delighted to offer a number of courses of interest to our members. Each season the committee makes decisions about the type of courses that best reflect the needs of our members.

Stewarding courses are always a very important component of our course schedule and we have arranged for an advanced stewarding course which will be of particular interest to those of our members who took the basic stewarding course offered last fall.

If anyone is interested in becoming a shop steward why not make the leap in 2010 – “The Year of the Steward”.

For more information on courses offered please check the Members’ Voice each month and the website at www.cupe.bc.ca or contact the union office at 604-879-4671

Happy New Year from your Education Committee

by Paul Faoro, President

There was certainly no slowing down for the holidays in December for CUPE 15. We were able to reach an agreement with the International Association of Firefighters Local 18 for a renewed collective agreement for our members who work in their union office.

The highlights of the three year agreement are:

• 4% wage increase retroactive to January 1, 2009

• 4% wage increase effective January 1, 2010• 4% wage increase effective January 1, 2011• Improved access to benefits• Increased premium coverage by the

employer for MSP, Group Life, and Dental benefits

• One additional day for Family Illness Leave• Improved language for employee personnel

records

I would like to thank Tracey Mathieson and Tina Meadows from the CUPE Regional office for their fine work to get us to this respectful settlement for our members. I also would like to recognize Gord Ditchburn, President, and Al Gregory, Secretary Treasurer, from the IAFF Local 18 who represented the employer at the bargaining table, for their professionalism and ongoing commitment to the labour movement.

I believe the solidarity between CUPE Local 15 and the IAFF Local 18 is the strongest it has even been which I am proud of. This level of respect helped us reach the agreement in relatively short order. In the coming weeks we will be working on updating job descriptions and drafting the revised collective agreement.

Contract reached with IAFF Local 18

Upcoming courses:• Collective Bargaining - Bargaining Skills

January 18th and 19th• Retirement Planning February 25th - 27th• Duty to Accommodate March 23rd and 24th• Retirement Planning (Metro Course)

March 25th - 27th• Advanced Effective Stewarding March 29th and 30th• Retirement Planning May 13th - 15th

In addition to the above listed courses we have requested another basic stewards training course and hope we can schedule it early this year.

Please feel free to contact members of the committee if you have ideas for other courses: Sally Bankiner (Chair), Santino Scardillo (Co-Chair), Barb Dickinson, Anne-Marie McGee, Diane Brown, Michele Alexander, and Betty McGee.

Notice of By-Elections College Sector Representative

• Election for this position will take place at the General Membership Meeting on January 27, 2010. Only members from the College Sector can vote for the College Sector Representative position.

Secretary Treasurer

• Election for this position will take place at the General Membership Meeting on January 27, 2010. All members are eligible to vote for the Secretary Treasurer position.

The Members Decided• At the November 2009 General

Membership meeting the membership voted in favour of the proposed 2010 budgets for the Union and the Society.

con’t from front cover

The failure of the current Funding Allocation System model used in K-12 to keep pace with cost increases in areas that are notionally funded (such as rising transportation and benefit costs, teacher pension cost increases, a teacher 2% salary increase due in 2010, and the financial impact of falling enrolment)

The imposition of ad hoc cuts to discretionary programs in efforts to contain the size of the provincial deficit (such as the $110 million cut in this year’s Annual Facilities Grant, or the last minute clawback in district “holdback” funds)The shortfall crisis has left virtually every district scrambling to lever down spending by eliminating programs, staff and services. Information compiled by school administrators puts the size of the current structural shortfall at several hundred million dollars province-wide as we approach 2010-11. While the jobs of teachers and support staff are already coming under pressure as a result, BC’s school-aged children will be the chief victims of this crisis.

Unfortunately, students, parents, staff and community members anxious to oppose this looming disaster are sometimes held back in their ability to understand the mounting crisis. Use of the term “cutback” is a case in point. For the MOE cutbacks are a myth because, in gross terms, funding is up not down. In addition, it is boards – victims of the structural shortfall – that make actual decisions to cut staff and programs. “Needs budgets” are also problematic, simply because the concept is easily misrepresented as an effort to map new cost obligations without regard for underling economic realities.

Ending the “highest funding ever” charade requires a more concerted effort to document, research, quantify and popularize the actual extent of the current imposed shortfall in terms an average parent or community member can readily understand. Doing this shows “highest funding” to be an out and out myth.

We also need to point the finger clearly and unambiguously at those bearing responsibility for the current financial strangulation. Specifically,

The Ministry of Education and its Finance counterpart have frozen levels of funding while downloading – often by stealth – new cost centres and obligations to boards. Treasury Board refuses to properly index revenue resources to reflect underlying changes in real prices faced by school district decision-makers.

The Premier’s Office bears ultimate responsibility for visiting ad hoc and irrational jump shifts in funding rules, like this fall’s cut to the Annual Facilities Grant which tightens the financial noose and undercuts board efforts to meet newly imposed carbon compliance obligations.We have a task ahead in fully and irrevocably puncturing the myth of “highest funding ever.” CUPE is committed to work with other education partners to take up this challenge and to bring a new message debunking government funding claims to a board of education near you. Stay tuned.

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News & Updates

by Paul Faoro, President

Late in December, the Community Health Bargaining Association (CBA) and the Health Employers’ Association of BC (HEABC) reached a tentative agreement for a renewed collective agreement.

Our union is a part of the multi-union Community Health Bargaining Association (BCGEU, UFCW 1518, HEU, CUPE, HSA, etc,) that reached this agreement and as such we are required to vote (ratify) the tentative agreement. The CUPE component is comprised of CUPE 15 - Vancouver Coastal Health, CUPE 4816 - Fraser Health and CUPE 3495 - B.C. Persons with Aids Society. The Community Bargaining Association represents over 10,000 workers delivering services in community health, including approximately 500 CUPE members.

All three CUPE locals have been reviewing the details of the tentative agreement along with the CUPE Health Presidents’ Council which governs all CUPE locals in health care. In January we will send out complete details of the tentative agreement along with a meeting notice for the ratification vote. We will also include a recommendation to our members on whether to accept the tentative agreement or not.The negotiations for this tentative agreement came up suddenly and to some degree unexpectedly, predominately due to the desire

by the lead union (BCGEU) to get a deal done by the end of the year. While CUPE is part of the multi-union Bargaining Association we took issue to several parts of the tentative agreement which is why we are reviewing the complete package closely. In fact our representatives at the bargaining table were opposed to this tentative agreement.

In order to protect the membership it is our job to ensure that the agreement we put in front of you is the best one possible; one that builds from the last agreement by improving rights and working conditions and one that will strengthen the public health system.

Details of the tentative two year deal include:• Wage increases for Licensed Practical Nurses

(LPNs) of 3% and 3%, and similar increases for LPN supervisors and Certified Dental Assistants

• A weekend shift premium of 25 cents/hour for all weekend shifts

• The establishment of a CBA/HEABC working group to improve scheduling practices

Changes to the benefits package include:• A point-of-sale (Blue Net) drug card

• An increase in vision care of up to $350 from $225 every 24 months

• A joint working group will examine the feasibility of short term sick leave

• The annual Extended Health Benefits (EHB) deductable will increase to $100

• Massage therapy will be capped at a maximum of $1,000 per year

• Long Term Disability (LTD) in the “own occupation” category will be reduced to 19 months from 24 months

• Limits will be placed on access to LTD for claimants who have pre-existing conditions

BREAKING NEWS!!Your CUPE 15 Executive Board will be recommending to the membership that this tentative agreement be rejected on the basis that the improvements offered are funded out of existing monies. No new additional money is being added to support the new features of the deal.

Tentative Deal in Community Health

by Paul Faoro, President

More funds have been made available to the Vancouver School Board for skills enhancement and training opportunities for CUPE Local 15 permanent employees. These funds are over and above the normal career development funds provided each year.

• These funds are not to be used as a supplement to other funds received for courses/training

• These funds are limited

• The course/training must be relevant to your position

• Courses/training should be taken on your own time

• Funds will not cover meals, accommodation, etc., but will cover text books or course materials

Requests will be received at Human Resources on a first come first served basis and must be accompanied by details of the course or training opportunity, time line, and cost. If this information is not provided the request will not be considered.

Upon approval of the course/training by Human Resources, employees will register and pay for the course/training and upon proof of payment will be reimbursed by the VSB.

Please use the CUPE Local 15 Application for Reimbursement Form which can be obtained at your worksite and forward to the attention of Judith Smith, Human Recourses.

We strongly encourage all members to consider utilizing these special funds.

Skills Enhancement and Training Opportunities for VSB Members

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Election

by Donalda Greenwell-Baker, Past Secretary Treasurer

As many of you know, I have been on a leave of absence since the end of September 2009. I have now made the decision not to return to the full time position of Secretary Treasurer and therefore a by-election will be held for this position for the balance of the 2008-2010 term.

I would like to thank each and every one of you for all of your support, for your involvement, for your hard questions, for your trust, for your challenges and for your encouragement over many years. I would especially like to thank all of the activists, shop stewards, bargaining committee members, job evaluation reps, health and safety reps, and our staff for everything they have done and will do for the members. It is truly these dedicated individuals who collectively keep things moving forward and have helped to make CUPE Local 15 such a tremendous local. I trust our roots will live on in us and together we will manage to keep strong and focused on the true needs and desires of our members as we move forward. As we know, “an injury to one is an injury to all”.

CUPE Local 15 has been a huge part of my life for many years and the experience, knowledge, and opportunities which I have experienced during this time will be with me forever! It has been a true privilege to have served you in the full time capacity as Secretary Treasurer as well as in the many other roles and responsibilities that I have had over the years.

On behalf of myself and my family I want to wish you all the best – and to say thanks.

“See you around the union”.

In solidarity,

Donalda

GoodbyeBetty McGee for Secretary Treasurer

I would like to take this opportunity to announce that I will be running for the position of Secretary Treasurer in the by-election to be held at the upcoming General Membership Meeting.

I have had the opportunity to serve the members of CUPE Local 15 in a variety of capacities in the past 10 years and am currently Acting Secretary Treasurer. I was elected as 1st Vice President of the local three years ago and was acclaimed into the position for a second term last year. In addition to these positions, I have served as a member of the Executive as a Park Sector Representative for a number of years, as the Chief Shop Steward for that sector since the inception of that position, and as a member of the Occupational Health and Safety Committee for the East District for some time.

I served on the 2004 and 2007 City et al bargaining committees as well as acting as an executive liaison on the bargaining committees for the Maritime Museum, the Museum of Vancouver, the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre and the Vancouver Art Gallery during the most recent rounds of bargaining for these members. I have participated in two rounds of bargaining for the CUPE Local 15 employees who are represented by CEP Local 467, acting as chair of the committee during the last round. Many of you will be aware that our staff collective agreement expires this year and we will be entering into the bargaining process in the coming months.

During my time on the last two City el al bargaining committees, while an active steward in the Parks Sector, and while serving as a Executive member of the union over the past ten years, I have been pleased to see many examples of the support our members have demonstrated for the positions that the Executive have taken, both in support of our members and, in support of trade unionism in general. There are challenging times ahead for trade unionists everywhere and particularly for those working in the City of Vancouver.

It has been a pleasure and a challenge being involved in the union in the capacities I have mentioned above and I believe that I have demonstrated my commitment to the members of CUPE Local 15. I am hopeful that with your support I will have the opportunity to bring my considerable experience to the position of Secretary Treasurer.

Election Support Statements

Election:Where: Polish Community Center, 4015 Fraser st.(at 24th)

When: January 27, 2010 at 5:30 p.m.

Leanne Toderian for Secretary Treasurer

I am seeking your support for Secretary Treasurer of Local 15. I have been a member of this local for 22 years. I have been active in the local as a steward and executive board member for the last 11 years.

I have been passionately committed to my work as a steward and have always done my best at representing the best interests of members whether face to face with management, at Labour Management committees, and numerous other committees. I first became involved during the 2000 City/Parks strike. I was a driver for the coffee wagon. This was a great learning experience for me and introduced me to activism. Immediately afterward I signed up to be a steward. I have a strong work ethic, values, and a commitment to all members. If elected I will focus on supporting stewards in the workplace, and continue building on the strength of our local. I encourage everyone to attend the local’s membership meetings to keep in touch with other members and learn what is going on around the worksites.

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In Solidarity

Marching together on Bill 21Members of CUPE locals 15, 116 and 7000 who were taking an anti-bullying and harassment workshop took time out to visit Vancouver – False Creek Liberal MLA Mary McNeil’s office downtown. McNeil is Minister of State for the Olympics. They were there to tell the MLA to negotiate fairly with paramedics.

The 25 activists rode the Canada Line, which stops metres from the constituency office and heard from Paul Faoro, CUPE 15 president; Virginia Kronstein, paramedics Local 873 regional vice-president for the Lower Mainland; and Mike Jackson, CUPE1004 president.

After marching through the streets of Yaletown, the protesters gathered on Pacific Avenue waving to passing drivers who honked their horns in support.

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The Members’ Voice is published nine times a year for members of CUPE Local 15 - Vancouver Municipal, Education and Community Workers. The Deadline for submissions is 9:00 a.m. on the first Wednesday of each month. All submissions may be edited for brevity and clarity. Signed articles and letters do not necessarily reflect the views or policy of CUPE Local 15.

CUPE Local 15545 West 10th AvenueVancouver, BC V5Z 1K9Phone: 604-879-4671Fax: 604-879-7582Email: [email protected]: www.cupe15.org

Local 15 is a chartered affiliate of the Canadian Union of Public Employees and is also affiliated with the CUPE British Columbia Division, CUPE Metro District Council and the Vancouver & District Labour Council. CUPE 15 is a member of the Canadian Association of Labour Media (CALM).

CUPE Local 15 Executive Board

Table Officers:President: Paul Faoro

1st Vice President: Betty McGee

2nd Vice President: Leanne Toderian

Secretary Treasurer: Betty McGee (Acting)

Sector Representatives:City: Sally Bankiner, Diane Brown

College/University: Emma Somers

Cultural: Matthew Quiring

Health/HSSCBA: Patricia Taylor

Health/HSPBA: Caroline Mewis

Parks: Anne-Marie McGee, Barb Dickinson

K-12: Kenny Brett, Miriam Pulsifer

Trustees:Joey Lau, Donald Rounding, Arthur Lum

Staff Representatives:Steve Baker, John Geppert, Keith Graham, Graeme Moore

Office & Administrative Staff:Mark Gloumeau, Accounting Coordinator Maureen Dorratt, Office Assistant Rosemary Matheson, Office Manager Barbara Simpson, Office Assistant

Building Maintenance:Jeff Zaharia

CUPE National Representatives:Justin Schmid, Tina Meadows, Matt Yun

Designed by talkingdog.ca

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Events & CreditsThe Members’voice

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Send us your home (non-employer) email address with the subject line ‘Safeway draw’ and you will have a chance to win a gift certificate for $150.

Keep in touch! [email protected] to know what’s happening in your union? Drop us a line, and we’ll keep you posted in future about ways you can participate in different union activities.

We’ve sent out the new cards for 2010, so detach and put in your wallet today! If you have not recieved it, email us at [email protected] or call the office. Or you can fill in the change of address form and send it in to us.