Equality | FairnessALSO INSIDEICBC Lessons From SGIRemembering
Bob DerbyAlberta Choses a Better WayFighting for $15 in
VernonSummer Institute for Union WomenQuarterly publication for
members of the Canadian Ofce & Professional Employees Union,
Local 378VOLUME 10|Issue #3 Summer 2015COPE 378 Convention Coming
UpIn This Issue CONTENTSFinding My Voice106Lockout at
BCAA153PRESIDENTS OPENING MESSAGE By David Black4TRANSLATIONS
6PRESIDENT'S WORD7SGI OFFERS B.C. CUSTOMERSA RANGE OF INSURANCE
PRODUCTS8NEW PENSION BENEFITS STANDARDSACT AND REGULATIONSBy Lori
Mayhew9 REMEMBERING BOB DERBY 10FINDING MY VOICE AND SPEAKING UP By
Joyce Galuska 11 ALBERTA CHOOSES A BETTER WAY By Gil McGowan 12
TIME FOR CHANGE TOUR INSPIRESPOLITICAL INVOLVEMENT 13 COPE 378 AIMS
FOR CHANGEIN OTTAWA 14TRAINING BC HYDRO AND FORTIS 15 BCAA LOCKOUT
16 MEMBER PROFILE: GREG BANMAN 17 HEATHER LEE: A SISTER'S JOURNEY
18 FIGHTING FOR $15 IN VERNON 19INVITING NEW MEMBERSINTO COPE 378
20IMPLICATIONS OF SASKATCHEWAN'SCOURT RULING ON B.C.'SESSENTIAL
SERVICES By Iain Reeve 21SUMMER INSTITUTE FORUNION WOMEN 2015 By
Gagan Gill 22BEFORE YOU ASK, THE ANSWER IS YES By Annette Toth
23REP ASSIGNMENTSPresidents Opening MessageUSW 2009David
BlackPresident, COPE 378 We need to defend the interests of those
whom we've never met and never will. Jefrey D. SachsEquality and
fairness are two concepts drilled into us from a young age, from
the moment our parents teach us to share. For some, these early
les-sons are straightforward and grounded in the golden rule of do
unto others as you would have them do unto you. For others, whose
families dont have as much as some do, this early lesson is a more
painful one about how far our espoused ideal is from their reality.
Asanorganization,COPE378sentireworldrevolvesaroundequality and
fairness. They form our mission and our mandate. We work hard to
bar-gain good, fair collective agreements for our members, and we
police those
agreementsthroughourstewards,councillorsandunionrepresentativesto
make sure everyone is treated fairly in the workplace.
Themechanicsofthiscanseemalittledull,andtheprocessmayalso seem
divorced from our larger societal context. However, when we perform
thisfunction,we,alongwiththerestofthelabourmovement,becomea
powerful force for fairness and equality for all.
Whenwebargainwages,werecreatingastandardthatallemployers must keep
in mind if they want to attract employees. Unions also have a
sto-ried history of advocating for strong social supports, from
education to health care to fair fees and taxation, which bolster
the existing middle class and help others move into it. Multiple
studies have demonstrated the decline in union density has been bad
news for fairness and equality in both the U.S. and
Can-ada.Thetrendlinemappingoutthedecreaseineconomicequalitymirrors
diminishing union membership; our society is becoming less equal as
unions lose traction. And there are growingindications that rising
inequality actually dampens economic growth.So we ght to perform
our mandate, and we ght to grow. Because we play an equalizing role
in society, one that ensures power and wealth doesnt rest solely in
the hands of the one per cent. What that means is that those kids
who learn hard lessons early in life will have a chance to live in
a fair and equal society a little closer to our ideal.The Canadian
Ofce and Professional Employees Union, Local 378, is afliated with
the Canadian Ofce and Professional Employees Union, the British
Columbia Federation of Labour, the Canadian Labour Congress, UNI
Global Union and IndustriALL.Canadian Ofce and Professional
Employees Union, Local 378, Executive Board Members:President:
David BlackSecretary-Treasurer: Lori MayhewVice Presidents: Annette
Toth (ICBC), Gwenne Farrell (Utilities), Heather Lee (Combined
Units)Accenture Business Services:Melanie Greenlaw, Nancy de
VriesBC Hydro:Calvin Jonas, Rysa KronebuschICBC: Yasmin Carroll,
Karin Cirez, Joyce Galuska,Trevor Hansen, Robert StarcevichFortisBC
Energy: Tim BouzovetskyFortisBC Inc. and FortisBC Customer Service
Centres:Kathryn PrinzCombined Units: Safar Alikhani, Colleen Finn,
Laurie Kirk, Petro Koromvokis, Keith Parkinson, Tim WeigeltCOPE 378
Communications & Campaigns:Communications Director: Sage
AaronCommunications Ofcer: Jarrah HodgeResearch Ofcer: Iain
ReeveCOPE 378 Senior Union Representatives:Brad Bastien, Glen
MacInnesCOPE 378 Union Representatives:Theresa Davie, Carrol
Edwards, Tony Geluch, Cathy Hirani, Trevor Hansen, Barry Hodson,
Barbara Junker, Cindy A. Lee, Sarah Melsness, Brian Nelson, Kevin
Payne, Cheryl Popeniuk, Kelly Quinn, Karen Rockwell, Kevin Smyth,
StephenVon SychowskiCOPE 378 Administrative & Ofce Staf:Joanne
Baneld, Karen Caston, Elaine Chilman, Adele Earwaker, Yudon Garie,
Sarah Hall, Lisa Jefery, Shelley Lockhart, Carol McLuskie, Karen
McRae, Michelle Mihaichuk, Kim Smith, Barbara Stephen, Marilyn
VassellCOPE 378 Financial Staf: Jenny Chen, Barbara Liang, Sandi
Malhame, Amandeep NijjarOccupational Health & Safety & WCB
Appeals:Steve MilneOrganizing:Georgi Bates, Caitlin GilroyLTD Trust
Administrator:Jim MoynhamHuman Resources Manager:Ram AtwaiCOPE 378
Local Voice is the ofcial quarterly magazine published for the
members of the Canadian Ofce and Professional Employees Union,
Local 378.ISBN 1918-9753 COPE Local 378 VoiceLetters to the editor
are welcome but may be edited for brevity and clarity. Please
contact COPE 378 for permission to reprint articles, graphics, or
photographs.Address all correspondence to: COPE 378
CommunicationsSuite 301-4501 Kingsway, Burnaby, B.C. V5H 0E5Phone:
604-299-0378 Toll Free: 1-800-664-6838Fax: 604-299-8211Visit COPE
378s website at: www.cope378.caOr contact us via email at:
[email protected]: Sage AaronCOPE 378 Local Voice VOLUME
10Issue #3Summer 2015 | 34 | VOLUME 10Issue #3Summer 2015COPE 378
Local VoiceCOPE 378 Local Voice VOLUME 10Issue #3Summer 2015 |
5PRESIDENT'SWORD5 reasons Why You Should Attend TheCOPE 378
Convention1)ITS THE SUPREME AUTHORITY OF YOUR UNION
No,seriously.ItsaysthatrightinArticle12ofthe
COPE378constitution.Thesupremeauthority.This
meansthatconventionisthetimewhenmembersof
theuniongettogetherandexamineallaspectsofthe
union'sbusinessandchartacourseintermsofvision, goals and governance
for the next three years. Resolu-tions are put forward, debated and
adopted. Those reso-lutions direct the union and all of its elected
representa-tives. Its a pretty big deal, hence the word
supreme.2)COMMITTEE REPORTSWhile committee reports may not be the
most ex-citingtitle,COPE378hasseveralhard-workingcom-mittees who do
great work for the union and its
mem-bersinbetweenelections.Acoupleofbriefexamples
includetheWomensRightsCommittee,whichhas
beenworkinghardtoprovidetrainingandempower-menttoitsmembersaswellasmarshallingdonations
forwomenssheltersonVancouversdowntowneast side; and the Health and
Safety Committee, which stays in close touch with any changes to
rules and regulations that may impact worker safety.
3)WORKSHOPSEachconventionincludesaneducationalcom-ponenttailoredtotheneedsoftheunionduringthat
cycle. While the details of the workshops are still being nalized
were pretty excited to ofer some great train-ing which will help
members network within their work-sites, build their personal
skills and gain deeper insight into the workings of the union.
4)SPEAKERS We have some top drawer speakers for this conven-tion,
and there is one person in particular were excited to highlight:
Hahrie Han. Hahrie is a political scientist at Wellesley College
and the author of the new book How Organizations Develop Activists.
She delivers high ener-gy speeches that engage and inspire. Shes
advised sev-eral civic and political organizations on how to
mobilize participation in politics and policy advocacy, and to
de-velop civic leaders. Were very pleased shes joining us! 5)ELECT
YOUR VICE-PRESIDENTS COPE378spresidentandsecretary-treasurerare
elected by the membership on the whole by mail in bal-lot. But our
vice-presidents are elected by the delegates
toconvention.Ifyoureadelegateyouwillbepartof choosing your
vice-president for the next three yearsthats pretty cool.
InAugustallmemberswillreceivenoticeofcon-vention along with a form
that can be used to express
interestinbeingadelegatetoconvention.Therules for delegate
entitlements are in the constitution, which
isavailableontheCOPE378website.Yourexecutive
councillorswillhelpconductlocaldelegateelections.
Newmembersarewelcomeandencouragedtoput their names forward to serve
as a delegate. Convention
isagreatopportunitytolearnmoreaboutyourunion and have a say in how
it runs.Convention is a great opportunity to learn more about your
union and have a say in how it runs.6 | VOLUME 10Issue #3Summer
2015COPE 378 Local VoiceICBCBY ANNETTE TOTH, VICE-PRESIDENT AND
IAIN REEVE, RESEARCH OFFICERSGI ofers B.C. Customers a Range of
Insurance ProductsWhy Cant ICBC? In July, Saskatchewan Government
Insurance (SGI) the provinces public insurance company that
special-izes in compulsory auto insurance started selling a
varietyofinsuranceproductsinBritishColumbia.This
moverepresentsasignicantchangetoB.C.sinsur-ance market, as it
allows a Crown corporation from an-other province to operate within
B.C.s borders. Could it also point to a potential direction for
ICBC? Could ICBC emulate SGIs model by diversifying its insurance
ofer-ingstootherareasandcompetinginothermarkets?
WhatbenetscouldthishavefortheCorporation,its customers, and all
British Columbians?LikeICBC,SGIholdsamonopolyoncompulsory
autoinsurance,whilealsooferingoptionalextended
autoinsuranceinacompetitivemarket.Thisiswhere
thesimilaritiesend,asunlikeICBC,SGIofersawide
rangeofindividualandbusinessinsuranceproducts through brokers on
the open market. For individual cus-tomers, this includes home,
condo, tenant and risk re-duction insurance. They also provide a
variety of com-mercial and industrial insurance products to
businesses, including transportation, property, building, and
liability insurance.SGIproudlytoutsitselfasamajorWestern Canadian
insurance force and its representatives speak openly about the
benets of expanding the depth and range of their insurance
oferings.BesidesabriefperiodinitsinceptionwhereICBC dealt in home
insurance, its oferings have remained lim-ited: compulsory and
optional auto insurance. There are at least three good reasons that
ICBC should seriously in-vestigate the possibility of expanding its
insurance ofer-ings within British Columbia and
beyond.First,asSGInotes,andasinnumerableinsurance companies have
demonstrated for years, increasing the
numberofproductsoneofersanddoingsoinmany
diferentjurisdictions,stabilizesinsurancecompanies.
ThisproductdiversicationcouldinsulateICBCfrom major shits or
downturns in auto insurance such as the innovation of autonomous
vehicles. The arrival of these vehicles could dramatically reduce
the number of vehi-cle collisions and eventually even eliminate the
need for personalspecializedautoinsurance.Whileweshould all welcome
any new technology that would save thou-sands of lives and prevent
millions of dollars in property damage, an exclusive reliance on
auto insurance could make ICBC vulnerable when this technology
arrives. Second,diversicationcouldloweroptionalrates
forBritishColumbiansinatimewhentheincreasing cost of bodily injury
claims and the rise in the represen-tation rate is driving them up.
ICBC has little exibility in these circumstances an increase in
claim costs must leadtohigherratesunlessthediferenceismadeup from
external funding or cutbacks elsewhere. However,
ifICBCcouldspreadouttheirriskacrossmanyinsur-ance portfolios,
trends and changes in one area may not have as direct an impact on
rates. Further, packaging or
bundlingofotherformsofinsurancecouldkeepop-tional costs low and
yield further savings for customers.
Third,asSGIshows,expansionintobusinessinsur-ancecouldnotonlydiversifyICBCsportfolioofinsur-ance,
but also provide economic benets by providing an avenue, as BC
Hydro does, to incentivize certain types of business without
needing to provide broad-based tax re-ductions to all corporations.
It could also provide another stream of revenue to support
government services. While much more research would need to be done
to determine the exact right expansion possibilities for ICBC, we
feel it is worth examining to secure the future
oftheCorporation,andthebestvalueandservicefor British
Columbians.SGI ofers a wide range of individual and business
insurance products through brokers on the open market.COPE 378
Local Voice VOLUME 10Issue #3Summer 2015 | 7PENSIONSBY LORI MAYHEW,
SECRETARY-TREASURERNew Pension Benets Standards Act and
Regulations"These new rules come in to efect on September 30, 2015
and many pension plans have been scrambling to comply with some of
the new requirements."InMay2012,theB.C.governmentintroducedmajor
changestothePensionBenetsStandardsAct,the law that governs how
pension plans are run. Howev-er, the regulations owing from these
changes werent ready until May of 2015, so we have been working
under the existing rules until now. These new rules come into efect
on September 30, 2015 and many pension plans have been scrambling
to comply with some of the new
requirements.Therearemanychangesthatarehappeningwith these
regulations. Ill highlight a few that will be of most interest to
plan members.VestingOne of the more important changes is the
require-ment for immediate vesting. Vesting means that plan
membershavearighttocertainbenetsinthepen-sionplan.Beforethischange,mostplanmembers
hadtowaituptotwoyearsbeforetheywerevested. If they quit within that
two years, they simply received their contributions and some
interest refunded to them. With this change, if a plan member quits
their job, they willhaveachoiceofleavingtheirmoneyintheplan or
taking the commuted value (the present value of the future pension
payments). This is usually more than the actual dollar amounts
contributed to the plan. In addition to the commuted value issue,
vesting in
thepensionplangivesworkersaccesstoalltheben-etsintheplanrightaway,ratherthanhavingtowait
for years. This is good news for pension plan members. Plan
governanceTheotherimportantchangeforplanmembersis
thenewemphasisonplangovernance.Allplansmust now have both a
governance policy and a funding poli-cy in place by January 2016.
There are many things that the governance policy is supposed to do,
but the two main goals of this policy
are:Settingoutthestructuresandprocessesfor
overseeing,managingandadministeringthe
plan.Thepolicyalsoneedstoexplainwhat those structures and processes
are supposed to achieve.Identifying who has the authority to make
deci-sions about these processes and structures, and
settingoutperformancemeasurestomonitor and assess how those
individuals are performing their tasks.Funding policyThe funding
policy, only applicable to dened
ben-etandtargetbenetplans,alsohastoachieveafew goals. First, it
needs to set out the objectives for the plan around benet security,
benet levels, and contribution
levels.Italsohastosetoutexpectationsaroundboth
thegoingconcernandsolvencyratiosandwhatwill
happenwithanysolvencydeciencyoranyactuarial excess in the plan.
Therewillalsobesomechangestotheannual statement that plan members
receive, starting in 2016, including mailing them out to pensioners
as well as ac-tive members. Keep an eye out for notices from your
pension plan these will tell you how your plan is complying with
these new regulations.PLAN GOVERNANCEFUNDING
POLICYPENSIONPENSIONPLAN GOVERNANCEFUNDING POLICYVESTING8 | VOLUME
10Issue #3Summer 2015COPE 378 Local VoiceINMEMORIAM Remembering Bob
DerbyOnJune9,wewereshockedandsaddenedto learn of the passing of
former COPE 378 Vice-PresidentforCombinedUnits,BobDerby.Bob was the
sole casualty of a tragic motor vehicle
accident.AnyonewhoattendedoneofCOPE378ssocial
eventsbeforeBobDerbysretirementin2011,froma
baseballgametotheannualbreakfastwithSanta,had Bob to thank. Bob
took his role as social events coordi-nator seriously and, as a
gregarious, afable,
back-slap-pingScotsman,hewaswellsuitedtoit.Hemadean efort to extend
his warmth to new members and did his best to make everyone feel
welcome. Bob was always happy and energetic and support-ive of new
members to our union, as well as supportive of me, personally, said
current Vice-President of
Com-binedUnitsHeatherLee.Hewasabraveandcoura-geous Scot. We shared
many arusty nailand I will miss him very much.Bob also worked
tirelessly behind the scenes on such unglamorous but crucially
important tasks as moderniz-ing the COPE 378 constitutionand
by-laws and serving asoneofthebeston-the-groundcampaignersforthe
unions campaign in support of public
power.BobDerbydeeplytouchedeveryonehecame into contact with. He was
a committed trade unionist,
astrongadvocateforpublictransitandalwaysonthe
sideofthosewhoneededhelp,saidPresidentDavid Black. He was a good
man. He was a loving husband to Amanda and a loving father to their
daughter, Lindsay.Blackcontinued,Bobwassomeonewhowould nd ways to
go out of his way to help others. If some-thing needed to be done,
he was the rst one to roll up his sleeves and get it done. He
volunteered his time on whatever project needed doing around the
union, from our big campaigns, to organizing social events for our
members, to the smallest maintenance around the
of-ce.Hetookonthesetasksablyandcheerfully.Bobs service was seless,
he felt no need to hold big titles or get public recognition.
Knowing that hed lled a need was enough. You also knew that Bob had
your back, no matter what happened. He earned that loyalty in
return.Bobwasalong-timeunionactivistbacktothe time he worked as a
mechanic supervisor at the Coast Mountain Bus Company. First
elected to the COPE 378 executive board in 2001, Derby had
previously served as an executive councillor and as job steward. He
played a key organizing role in the marathon 2001 transit strike in
Greater Vancouver, and will long be remembered for
orderingtheshutdownoftheentireSurreyGateway building with pickets
after managers reneged on a pick-eting agreement.Bobs lasting
legacy at COPE 378 is the strong
foun-dationofsocialeventshehelpedbuild,givingmem-bers from all
bargaining units in diferent communities an opportunity to get
together in friendly spaces away from both the workplace, and from
union business. Bob tried to make sure that there was something for
every-one, while also opening the doors to events in commu-nities
around the province.We mourn his loss and we will miss him
deeply.We mourn his loss and we will miss him deeply.We mourn his
loss and we will miss him deeply.Bob Derby deeply touched everyone
he came into contact with..." President David BlackCOPE 378 Local
Voice VOLUME 10Issue #3Summer 2015 | 9INDIGENOUS VOICES Finding My
Voice and Speaking UpBY JOYCE GALUSKA, EXECUTIVE BOARD
MEMBERHowlifelovesirony.InthepastIneversought
structureorpolitics.Yetnow,closelyinvolved with both, I realize it
was simply fear and the
un-knownthatcausedmetoshyaway.Icertainlydidnt grow up thinking I
would do political work, which is by nature structured. But
advocacy has a way of embrac-ing you and giving you a
backbone.OccasionallyIndmyselfasking:whoIamand
wheredoItinthelabourmovement?HowdidIget
hereandwhyamIhere?AmIherefortherightrea-sons? The simplest answer
that comes to me is: Im here to help. Thats what I do as a COPE 378
board member. But how does my role as the Aboriginal Caucus
Repre-sentative for the BC Federation of Labour t
in?Well,havingbeenbornandraisedinSkidegate,a reserve on Haida
Gwaii, one would think thats a redun-dant question. But I assure
you, until recently, my First Nations identity had not found its
purpose.Ive been a COPE 378 steward for several years. But in 2011
I took a writing course with Richard Wagamese
andmetChristyJordon-Fenton:bothaccomplished writers who inuenced me
profoundly. Richard is Ojib-way and a published author of several
books and Christy, whom I am proud now to call a friend, writes
childrens books about her mother-in-law who went to residential
school. My entire life I had shied away from my First Na-tions
roots because of racism, jokes, and the lack of re-spect Aboriginal
people were given. Richard and Christy changed that for me. The
Haida are an extremely noble people and while I had always been
proud of my heri-tage, I hadnt given voice to that
pride.Christyalsoconnectedmetotheproceedingsof the The Truth and
Reconciliation Commission of Cana-da, which dealt with residential
schools. I listened to the
storiesandIbecamehorried.AndIwasashamedof myself for what I didnt
know.Through COPE 378 Ive been able to take courses on
reconciliation. I met Chief Robert Joseph through Reconciliation
Canada and he taught me how to teach
othersaboutreconciliation.SincethenIvetaughta
weekendsessionwithRobbieWaisman,aHolocaust
survivor.Wehuggedonthethirddayandthanked each other for the
insights we gained into each others communities.I spoke at the BC
Federation of Labour convention in 2012 and again in 2014 about the
need for a national in-quiry into the murdered and missing
Aboriginal women. IwroteandchampionedmotionsatCOPE378which resulted
in our president writing to the Prime Minister to call for a
national inquiry. I also created an email and let-ter writing
campaign from the union of ce. The motion
hasmovedtotheCanadianLabourCongresssothat all unions can be
encouraged to get involved in a cam-paign for a national inquiry. A
few weeks ago, I spoke in front of the Governor General and leaders
from across Canadaaboutthisveryissue.Andatthe2014BCFed convention I
ran for and was elected as the Aboriginal
CaucusRep,representingFirstNationspeopleacross B.C. at the labour
table. Im proud to raise my now richer and more robust
voicenotonlyinsupportofCOPE378smembership but also in support of
all First Nations people."The Haida are an extremely noble people
and while I had always been proud of my heritage, I hadnt given
voice to that pride. "Like the BC Aboriginal Workers page on
Facebook:www.facebook.com/pages/BC-Aboriginal-Workers/10 | VOLUME
10Issue #3Summer 2015COPE 378 Local VoicePROVINCIAL POLITICSBY GIL
MCGOWAN, PRESIDENT OF THE ALBERTA FEDERATION OF LABOUR Alberta
Chooses A Better WayThis spring, Alberta chose a diferent path a
bet-ter way than the one the province had been on. The election of
Rachel Notley and more than 50
otherNDPMLAstotheprovinciallegislaturewasthe
culminationyearsofhardworkandresearchfromall parts of the provinces
progressive community,
includ-ingthelabourmovement.Itwasalsoavindicationof
beliefsthatwehaveheldhereattheAlbertaFedera-tion of Labour: that
Albertans want their government to act like owners of our natural
resources; that Albertans
arewillingtopayforhigh-qualitypublicservices;that Albertans want
their government to be inclusive and re-spectful of the rights of
minorities.When I rst became president of the Alberta Federa-tion
of Labour, we were facing the far-right government of Ralph Klein,
who had famously attempted to privatize health care. This was
against everything we knew Alber-tans wanted from their government,
and yet they kept votingforthesamepeople. OvertherstfewyearsI was
AFL president, we developed a two-pronged strat-egy that focused on
the long-term to shift the province away from these failed
policies.The rst part of this strategy was to put issues on the
table for public discussion issues like revenue reform
andvalue-addedoilsandsinvestment.Themostsuc-cessful of our
issues-based campaigns, the Better Way
AlbertaCampaign,wasre-launchedthisspringwitha
seriesofanimatedvideospointingoutwhichpolicies were to blame for
the provinces budget decit. Alber-tans watched these videos upwards
of 400,000 times.The second part of our strategy was to pool union
money to build a political machine to support progres-sive
candidates during provincial elections.Although this political
machine was starting to help
candidatesin2012,itwasinfullswingby2015.This
springwemobilizedourmembersinunprecedented numbers in an
unprecedented number of ridings.There were more than 130 campaign
workers mobilized and coordinateddirectlythroughtheAFL,andasimilar
numbermobilizedthroughunionsaf liatedwithus.
CollectivelyweestimatethatpeoplemobilizedbyAFL af
liatesknockedonnearlyonemilliondoorsduring the provincial
election.Thesuccessthattheseefortshadprovinciallyis
justthebeginning. Ourfederalefortsinmakingthe
TemporaryForeignWorkerProgrampartofthena-tionalconversationhavealreadyforcedtheHarper
Conservativestobackdownonatleastaportionof the program. Through the
provincial breakthrough in
Alberta,wevesetthestageforCanadasrstfederal New Democrat
government.Thelabourmovement hasbeenattheforefront
ofalmosteveryprogressivechangeinCanadianhis-tory.
IfwecanhelpbringchangeinAlberta,thenwe can achieve it anywhere in
this country.130CAMPAIGNworkers mobilizedthrough AFL"The success
that these eforts had provincially is just the beginning... Through
the provincial breakthrough in Alberta, weve set the stage for
Canadas rst federal New Democrat government." Gil McGowanCOPE 378
Local Voice VOLUME 10Issue #3Summer 2015 |
11CANADIANLABOURCONGRESSTime for Change TourInspires Political
InvolvementEarlierthissummerunionmembersgatheredin communities
across Canada to commit to
work-ingforchangeinthefallfederalelection.Each
freeeventontheCanadianLabourCongressTime
forChangeTourgaveunionmembersanopportu-nitytomeetandlearnaboutfourkeyissuesinthe
upcoming election: Retirement SecurityNo one should have to retire
in poverty, but 11 mil-lionCanadiansdonthaveaworkplacepensionplan.
TheCanadaPensionPlanissafeandefective,with
lowmanagementcostsandadenedbenetthat
keepsupwiththecostofliving.Justasimportantly, it covers everyone,
following workers from job to job across the country. For less than
the cost of a cup of cofee and a donut a day, the average worker
could double their CPP retire-ment benets. Unfortunately, the
Conservative govern-ment is ignoring our looming retirement savings
crisis, despitecallsfromprovincialleaders,economistsand the public
to expand the CPP. Good
JobsNearlythreequartersofthejobscreatedoverthe past six years have
been precarious: part-time, tempo-rary or in the self-employed
sector. Nearly a million Ca-nadians have to work multiple jobs to
make ends meet. CLCPresidentHassanYussufspokeattheLower
MainlandtourstoponJune8.Thisisntthekindof
Canadawepromisedourkids,hesaidofourcurrent economic
situation.TheCLCsaysitstimeforagovernmentthatwill
investinpublicinfrastructure,includingrapidtransit,
andmakejobsandtrainingapriority,particularlyfor health care
professionals, to better prepare for our ag-ing population and the
demands that will be placed on our health care system.Health
CareHaveyoustruggledtondafamilydoctor?Ifso,
yourenotalone.FourmillionCanadiansdonthavea family doctor. While
Canadians wait for health care and
long-termcare,theConservativegovernmentiscut-ting health spending
by $36 billion by 2024. The better choice would be training more
health care
profession-alsandinvestinginauniversaldrugcoverageplan.As
wellashelpingthethreemillionCanadianswhocant aford the medication
they need, a universal drug plan
wouldmeana32percentreductioninspending,ac-cordingtoastudypublishedintheCanadianMedical
Association Journal.Child
CareFouroutofveCanadianchildrenunderagesix dont have access to a
regulated child care space. When
afamilycangetspacefortheirchild,thecostoften
becomestheirsecond-highestexpenseafterhousing.
Quebecspublicchildcaresystemhasseena254per cent return in
socioeconomic benets. A national child care system is a better
choice for children, families and the economy.
YussufwasveryclearthathebelievestheNDPis the party most committed
and best positioned to make
thesebetterchoicesforCanadians:WhattheNDPis ofering is very clear:
a government that will make
bet-terchoices.Onthiscampaign,Imaskingyoutogive
alittlebitoftimeandbringafriend.Wehavetowork hard, because whats at
stake is greater than any of us; this is about the future of our
country."This is aboutthe future of our country." CLC President
Hassan YussufTop left photo: Hassan YussufMiddle photo:Lori
MayhewConservative government is cutting health spending by$36 $36
$36BILLIONBY 202412 | VOLUME 10Issue #3Summer 2015COPE 378 Local
VoicePOLITICAL ACTIONCOMMITTEE COPE 378 Aims for Change in
OttawaWiththefederalelectioncomingupfast, COPE
378isgearinguptoengagemembers on issues that matter to them and
train activists in campaign skills in order to bring change to
Ottawa. "Canadians want positive change: a federal govern-ment that
will create good jobs, x retirement security,
helpthemndafordablechildcareandinvestinthe
healthcareservicesweallneed.TherecentAlberta election showed us
that we can vote for the change we want and get it," said COPE 378
Secretary-Treasurer and Political Action Committee Co-Chair Lori
Mayhew.Buildingtowardsthatchangeisalreadyunderway.
COPE378hasbeencoordinatingwithotherunions
andtheCanadianLabourCongresstopromotethe #BetterChoice campaign and
betterchoice.ca website. Thecampaignhighlightsfourkeyareaswherethe
federalgovernmentcanandshouldbemakingbetter choices: health care,
investing in good jobs, child care, and retirement
security."TheCLChasdoneagreatjobonthesematerials
andwe'regettingtheleaetsouttoourmembers,as well as sharing content
on social media. We're also
pro-motingthe#BetterChoicecampaignthroughtabling
atcommunityevents,"saidCommunicationsDirector Sage
Aaron.Overthecomingmonths,COPE378willbecon-nectingwithmembersontheirmostimportantissues
and getting them mobilized to vote and trained to
vol-unteerfortheirlocalNDPcandidates.Theunionwill
alsobereachingoutthroughthewebsiteandsocial
mediatohighlightkeycandidatesandissuesanden-courage members to
vote.I do believe we can elect a new national NDP gov-ernment this
fall. We have a choice. We can choose to
electpeoplewhorepresentourvalues.LookingatAl-berta we can already
see what a diference that makes,
Mayhewadded,notingthenewAlbertagovernment
hasalreadyintroducedaplantoraisetheirprovinces
minimumwage,andlegislationtoreverseProgressive Conservative funding
cuts to health care and education. October 19 is really not that
far away, said Political
ActionCo-ChairKarlRiley,We'vegotalottodobut it's exciting to feel
the possibility for positive change in Ottawa and know our members
have a real role to play in that. betterchoice.caVISITCOPE 378
Local Voice VOLUME 10Issue #3Summer 2015 | 13JOBSTEWARDSTraining
Brings New Energy to BC Hydroand Fortis Steward
RanksInthemonthsleadingintothesummer,COPE378
heldtwotrainingsessionsfornewBCHydroand
FortisCustomerServiceCentrestewards.TheFor-tisstewardtrainingtookplaceinPrinceGeorgeand
wasledbyVice-PresidentforUtilitiesGwenneFarrell and Union
Representative Cindy A. Lee. The BC Hydro stewards were trained at
the new union of ce in Burn-aby with Gwenne again, and Union
Representative Bar-bara Junker.Job stewards are the lifes blood of
every union, ex-plained Utilities Vice President Gwenne Farrell.
Theyre the people who liaise with the union of ce to keep the
elected leadership and union representatives informed, and theyre
also the ones who are nipping problems in
thebudintheworksite.Itsourresponsibilitytogive them the tools they
need to be efective. COPE 378s goal is to increase the number of
stew-ardsuntileverydepartmentandeveryooratboth
utilitieshasasteward.BCHydroissupportingthere-cruitmentefortsastheyareawarethatactiveand
knowledgeablestewardscanpreventlargerproblems for both members and
the employer. Iwasreallyimpressedwithhowquickandhow keen [the BC
Hydro stewards] were, said Barbara
Junk-er.Theywereeagertogetthetoolstheyneededin this training to
really dig into their roles. I can tell these people are on their
way to being really great, efective workplace advocates.New steward
Sheryl Moreau has been a COPE 378
memberforalongtimebutthiswasherrstinvolve-ment with the union. When
asked why she chose to be-come a steward, Moreau said, Well, I like
to help people. And I hope to use this training to help my
coworkers. GwenneandBarbarawerefabulousteachers.I
learnedalotfromthecourseanditwasbenecialto have the training
tailored to BC Hydro so we could dig into Hydro-specic issues, like
contracting in, she
add-ed.IalsoenjoyedmeetingotherBCHydrojobstew-ards from around the
province.The new Fortis stewards were all original hires from when
the customer care centre rst opened, explained
UnionRepresentativeCindyA.Lee.Thesefolkshave some time under their
belt with the employer and they
understandtheirworkplaceandhowitschanging.Its really great to have
them on board.JasonHauserisoneofthenewstewardsinthe
Fortisgroup.Thetrainingwasverygoodandreally grounded me in the nuts
and bolts of our rights at work.
Wecrammedavedaycourseinoneday,hesaid.I learned a lot, and am
looking forward to more training. I decided to become a job steward
as I wanted to learn more about the union and to help my fellow
members, and this helped set me on that path.If youre interested in
becoming a steward, get in touch with your vice-president at the
union of ce [email protected] 1-800-665-6838PHONEBC HYDRO
& FORTIS STEWARDS14 | VOLUME 10Issue #3Summer 2015COPE 378
Local VoiceLOCKED OUT!BCAA Lockout Hurts Their MembersAs Well As
Their EmployeesInSeptember2014,COPE378membersatBCAA
EmergencyRoadsideServices(ERS)wentintobar-gaining, hoping to
rectify the unfairness they were ex-periencing in terms of pay and
hours.Our members at BCAA-ERS are working 40 hours a week for the
same pay as similar BCAA employees who
workonly35hoursaweek.Itwasplainlyunfairand that was what we hoped
to address in bargaining, said COPE 378 Vice-President Heather
Lee.Unfortunately, BCAA was unwilling to listen. Early in
June,COPE378membersatBCAA-ERStookastrike vote, with the intention
of taking limited job action that would pressure BCAA without
jeopardizing roadside as-sistance.
Ontherstdayourmembersviolatedthedress
codebywearinghatsandcasualattire.BCAAreacted by locking them out,
Lee said. Some of our members were even asked to put calls on hold
in order to be es-corted of the premises.BCAA is now attempting to
staf their roadside
as-sistancecallcentrewithahandfulofuntrainedman-agers.SowhileCOPE378membersarestillforcedto
beoutonthepicketline,BCAAmembersarending themselves stuck at the
side of the road, waiting much longer than usual for service.Many
people join BCAA because of the great ser-vice members receive.
BCAA doesnt seem to recognize
theimportanceofthehigh-qualityserviceourmem-bers provide to their
customers, and now theyre taking their own customers for granted,
Lee said.If youre a BCAA member, you can help by phoning
BCAAat1-800-811-5900andaskingthemtoendthe
lockoutandnegotiateafairdeal.Youcanalsotweet them @bcaa or post on
their Facebook page. Ourmemberswanttobebackatworkhelping
peoplewhoneedroadsideassistance.Weregrateful
forthepublicsupporttopressureBCAAtomakethat happen, Lee
concluded.Did you know BCAA owns Evo Car Share, a car sharing
service operating in Metro Vancouver? COPE 378 is asking the public
not to buy an Evo membership or pay for trips in Evo cars until
BCAA ends the lockout and negotiates a fair deal with its Emergency
Roadside Services employees. Many people join BCAA because of the
great service members receive. BCAA doesnt seem to recognize the
important and high-quality of service our members provide to their
customers, and now theyre taking their own customers for
granted...Instead, please choose one of these other car sharing
options: Modo Zipcar Car2go Student Car ShareCAR SHARING?SAY NO TO
EVO!Evo Car Share COPE 378 Local Voice VOLUME 10Issue #3Summer 2015
| 15MEMBER PROFILECOPE 378 Helps Greg Keep the BeatCOPE 378 job
stewards and union representatives
spendalotoftimehelpingindividualmembers
withworkplaceproblems,butoftenthework
stewardsandunionrepresentativesdogoesunrecog-nizedbeyondthemembersdirectlyafected.Hereis
one members story.In 1987 Greg was walking in downtown Vancouver
withafriendwhenanintoxicatedmanpunchedhim hard in the jaw. The
attack caused a blood clot that led to a stroke and partial
paralysis on the right side of his body. He was only 26 years
old.GregspentaboutsixmonthsatG.F.StrongReha-bilitationCentreandbecameabletowalkwitharight
leg brace, but was never able to recover full use of his right
arm.In 1992 Greg started working for BC Hydro answer-ing customer
inquiries via phone and then later, by email. Greg helped BC Hydro
customers with everything from routine billing inquiries to unusual
research requests. In 2003 BC Hydro contracted their customer
service work to Accenture and Greg became a Customer Service
Ac-count Representative for them in
Burnaby.ThroughoutthistimeGregalsocontributedtohis co-workers
morale by starting an employee band. The group spent months
practicing each year to play at the annual summer barbeque for
customer service and bill-ingstaf,andthebandcontinuestodayunderanew
group of customer care centre musicians.
Ihadntplayeddrumsformanyyearssincemy
strokeandreallyneededtoplayagain.Mydisability
mademethatmuchmoredeterminedtosucceed, says Greg.In March 2014,
after more than two decades of
as-sistingBCHydrocustomers,Accenturebecamecon-cernedaboutGregsongoingdisabilityandsuggested
he might retire early and take severance. Being forced to retire
would have been very bad for Greg and his family, as his wife also
sufers from serious healthissues,saidTonyGeluch,theCOPE378union
representativewhotookonGregscase.Incaseslike that, its extremely
important to have access to ongoing medical benets.The situation
was very upsetting and the stress level was very high for me. I had
worked for the company for over 20 years and even though I have
health problems, Im not ready to retire just yet, said
Greg.GeluchnegotiatedwithAccenturetondabetter way, and nally the
company came back and suggested Greg apply for Long-Term
Disability. I went through all the rigamarole and got the forms and
submitted them to the insurance company. Finally, I was approved,
Greg explained.Greg is still concerned about his health and ongoing
LTDclaim,buthesrelievedthatheandhiswifehave access to the medical
benets they really need.Through all of it, Tony was just the best,
Greg said. Hefoughtforeverylittlebit.IwasworriedIwasgo-ing to be
pushed out the door but Tony did everything possible to make sure
that didnt happen. He demanded that the company honour our
collective agreement.Photo:Greg Banman"...it's extremely important
to have access to ongoing medical benets." 16 | VOLUME 10Issue
#3Summer 2015COPE 378 Local VoiceRETIRING VICE-PRESIDENTA Good
Sisters JourneyRETIREMENTHeatherLeewasinherearlytwentieswhenshe
appliedtoworkatBellCanadainToronto.It
was1967andshehadrecentlyemigratedfrom Dundee, Scotland with her
parents. Like most new im-migrants, nding work was an imperative.
ThatwasthersttimeIreallycameface-to-face
withworkplacediscriminationagainstwomen,she said. At Bell, men were
paid more than women for the exact same work. This realization was
a formative one that would pull her into union activism.
WhenHeatherwashiredatAlliedTowersMer-chantsshortlythereafter,shewasassignedtothe
HumanResourcesanddataprocessingdepartment.
Againshewitnessedgenderedpaydiscrimination. They would hire a young
man straight out of school and he would start at a higher wage than
most of the women working there, even female supervisors. She
approached the UFCW through the local labour
coun-cilinorderunionizesotheworkerscouldbargain equal pay. Even
though her eforts werent successful she was set on a course she
would follow for most of her working life. When working at the
Canadian Standards Associa-tion Heather became a CUPE 967 job
steward. She was electedtotheirexecutiveboardandthensoonafter
becamepresidentofthe500personlocal.Ontarioin the 1970s was the site
of many social justice battles and
protests.TheAnti-InationBoardwassetuptoght runaway ination, and
labour and social justice activists called for price controls to
match the wage controls in-icted on workers. A young Heather found
herself front andcentreatmanymarchesandralliesinsupportof working
people and economic fairness. Heather moved to B.C. in the early
1980s and, after a stint working for the City of Prince George, she
settled inMetroVancouver.Allthewhilesheremainedactive within her
union and worked in movements like
Opera-tionSolidarity,ahistoriccoalitionoflabourandcom-munity groups
that formed to ght social service cuts in 1983. Heather found work
at the City of Burnaby, again
inHumanResources.IdontmindHR,actually,said Heather, because
sometimes you have the opportunity to help peopleif youre not
slimy. Heather ended up going to work in the CUPE 23 of ce, and
shortly there-after became a COPE 15 member.
Iwasdoinginterestingworkforthecity,butIkept coming back to the same
path, she said, referring to her
gravitationtowardsthelabourmovement.Iguessits because I think that
you have to give voice to what you
believeinanddotherightthing.Ifyoudothat,itpulls people to
you.Heatherwaselectedasvice-presidentofCOPE15,
andwasinstrumentalinthemergerbetweenCOPE15 and its sister local
COPE 378 in 2010. She spent two terms as vice-president of COPE 378
and is retiring this year. Reectingonheractivismandtimeasanelected
unionof cial,Heathersaid,withatwinkleinherperi-winkle blue eyes, Im
grateful for the support that our members have given me. Its been a
hoot! Wehaveanincrediblenewgenerationofyoung
workerscomingupwithinourworkplacesandour
union,shesaid.Ihavenodoubtthattheywillcon-tinue to ght for equality
and fairness. Maybe the labour movement of the future wont look
exactly like it does now, but people will always come together to
work for the betterment of all. Its in our nature.Below photo:an
example of Heather's hardwork with the new generation of young
workers coming upand continuing to ght for equality and fairness.Im
grateful for the support that our members have given me. Its been a
hoot! Heather LeeHeather!Congrats on your retirement,Congrats on
your retirement,COPE 378 Local Voice VOLUME 10Issue #3Summer 2015 |
17MINIMUM WAGE Fighting for $15 in Vernon It all started a few days
before the 2014 BC Federation
ofLabourconvention.COPE378memberElizabeth Zlot was at a barbeque
with friends and she surprised herself by getting into a fairly
heated discussion about theminimumwage,andtheneedtoraisethewage
to$15perhour.IdidntknowhowpassionateIwas
abouttheissue,shesaid.WhenLizarrivedattheBC Fed convention as part
of the COPE 378 young worker delegation, Unifor member Nadia
Santoro approached her to start a Fight for Fifteen chapter in the
Okanagan. Liz lives in Vernon and works at the Accenture call
cen-tre there. Isaidnoatrst,recallsLiz,butnooneelsewas stepping up,
so I decided I had to step in. So far, were a small movement but
were starting to build momentum. In March of 2014, the
BCLiberalgovernment announcedasmallhike totheminimumwage but the
increase to $10.45 will do next to nothing to improve the situation
for morethanhalfamillion low-wageworkersin
B.C.Whilethegovern-mentsaysthewagewill goupovertime,under
theirplan,theminimum wagewontreach$15 per hour until 2034.
B.C.sminimum wagecontinuestolag
behindOntario,Mani-toba,andQuebec,even though B.C. has the highest
cost of living in the country according to Statistics
Canada.Folksdontrealizehowmanypeoplethisafects, how many people
this low wage keeps in poverty, said
Liz.WhenwegocanvassinginVernonwiththeFight for $15 we purposely
target areas where we know well reach people who work minimum wage
jobs. Ive talk-ed to single moms whove said that if they had an
op-portunity to earn this wage, they wouldnt have to rely
asmuchongovernmentservices.Ispoketooneguy, an adult, who was taking
online classes to improve his prospects while working three jobs
just so he can aford togetmarriedthissummerandstartafamily.Ireally
appreciate the opportunity to talk with these people. It really
puts a face on the
problem.Lizsconversationsarereectedinthedata.Over 80 per cent of
workers earning less than $15 per hour are 20 years or older, and
60 per cent of workers earn-ing less than $15 per hour are women.
Some B.C. work-ers are not even guaranteed the minimum wage. Farm
workers are paid a piece rate and liquor servers can be paid as
little as $9.20 an hour.Liz is working on building momentum through
the summer by inviting more people into the campaign and
settingupsomefun,creativeeventstogetpeoplein-terested. The local
labour council has been supportive
andLizhashadalotofencouragementfromJacqui
Gingras,theNorthOkanagan-Shuswapcandidatefor the federal
NDP.IeventalkaboutitinthelineupatHomeDepot, Liz laughed. I am
looking for other folks to help me out, though, because Ill be
having my rst baby in Decem-ber. I dont want to lose the momentum
because I really think we can make a diference. If youre interested
in helping Liz out, contact her at [email protected] workers
earning less than $15 per hour are 20 years or olderTop
photo:Elizabeth ZlotBottom photo (left to right): Dan Sutherland,
Jacqui Gingras, Leo Joy, Elizabeth Zlot and Kayla Hilstob at a day
of action for Fight for Fifteen Okanagan18 | VOLUME 10Issue
#3Summer 2015COPE 378 Local VoiceORGANIZING Inviting New Members
into COPE
378COPE378sorganizingandcommunicationsde-partmentspairedupforanewprojectaimedat
inviting new people into the union: micro-web-sites for credit
union and car rental workers.
Ourmainwebsiteatwww.cope378.caisre-allygearedtowardsourcurrentmembers,explained
COPE 378 Senior Union Representative Glen MacInnes.
Theresalotofcontentontherebecauseweservice
suchadiversemembershipfromnearly100diferent workplaces. When new
members join COPE 378 all of
thatcontentcanbeoverwhelming.Wewantedtoof-fer potential members
something simple that speaks to directly to them, without any
clutter. The union chose to pilot project microsites aimed at
credit union and car rental workers because COPE 378
alreadyhasalargepresenceinthosesectors.Forcar rentals, COPE 378
represents members at worksites like
Hertzandothers.Theunionalsorepresentsmembers
atcreditunionsincludingCoastalCommunityCredit Union and Island
Savings. Themicrositesworkalittlelikeinteractiveonline brochures,
explained MacInnes. Both sites explain the
benetsofunionmembershipandwhatwecanhelp the members achieve. On
each site we feature a COPE 378 member who works in one of those
industries. That member tells their personal story about how the
union has helped them achieve fairness, respect and stability in
their workplace. It was important for us to show potential members
that COPE 378 has a track record of success in their in-dustry, so
the sites also detail the wages and benets in each of our credit
union and car rental collective
agree-ments,aswellasanyotherimportantrightsthatpo-tential members
may want to consider, MacInnes said. Both microsites have a contact
us form that allows anyonetocontacttheunionsorganizingdepartment
foradiscreet,completelycondentialfollowupcall.
Thesitesalsoprovideabriefstep-by-stepoutlineof what the
unionization process looks like. We hope that people who are
considering unioniz-ing their credit union or car rental workplaces
will share thesesiteswitheachotherinordertotakealookat COPE 378,
what weve been able to do for other work-ers in their industries
and feel condent that we are able to help them, nished MacInnes. By
growing its membership COPE 378 gains greater stability and
inuence, which benets all of the unions members.Ifyouknowsomeone
whocouldbenetfrom theprotectionandsecu-rityofunionmembership
attheirwork,visitCOPE
378sorganizingmicro-sitesatwww.theunion-forcreditunions.caand
www.carrentalunion.ca or get in touch with COPE
[email protected] to learn more.By growing
its membership COPE 378 gains greater stability and inuence, which
benets all of the unions members.
www.theunionforcreditunions.cawww.carrentalunion.caVISITwww.theunionforcreditunions.caCOPE
378 Local Voice VOLUME 10Issue #3Summer 2015 | 19LABOUR
LAWImplications of Saskatchewans Court Rulingon B.C.s Essential
ServicesIn January of this year, the Supreme Court of Canada
deliveredadecisionwhichcouldhaveasignicant
impactonlabourrelationsandcollectivebargaining rights in Canada.
Saskatchewan Federation of Labour v.
Saskatchewan,2015sawtheCourtoverturnthesec-tions of the provincial
governments Public Service and
EssentialServicesAct,2008(PSESA)dealingwiththe denition of
essential services. THE
LEGISLATIONIn2008,thenewlyelectedSaskatchewanParty government, in a
package of changes aimed at
attack-ingthelabourmovement,passedthePSESA.Among other things, the
PSESA sought to change the process
bywhichpublicemployersandpublicsectorunions
deneessentialservices.Thesedenitionsareimpor-tant,asemployeesdeemedtobeprovidingessential
services can have their strike rights limited or eliminated
altogether.InB.C.,essentialservicesarethosethat,if
absent,wouldposeathreattothehealth,safetyor welfare of the
residents of British Columbia or the pro-vision of educational
programs for students. The PSESA created a system where public
employ-ers and unions would meet to determine what consti-tuted
essential services and agree on which employees
wouldbeexcludedfromjobaction.However,ifthere
wasdisagreementbetweenthetwosides,thegov-ernmentwouldhavethepowertounilaterallydecide
whichworkconstitutedessentialservices.Thelawlet
thegovernmentstretchthedenitionofessentialser-vices to include any
job.THE SUPREME COURTS DECISIONAfter a victory for each side in the
provincial courts, thecasearrivedbeforetheSupremeCourtofCanada
latelastyear.Thecourtrejectedthelaw,arguingthat it violated the
right to strike, which is recognized under
theCharterofRightsandFreedoms.WhiletheCourt acknowledged essential
services provisions can consti-tute a reasonable limit on the right
to strike, the PSESA
didnttintothiscategory.Assuch,thecourtrecom-mendedthatSaskatchewanuseaseparate,alternative
bodytomakethesedeterminations,asisthecasein other provinces.
IMPLICATIONS FOR
B.C.Whileitstruetherighttostrikehasbeenrecog-nized, all rights have
limits, and the Court clearly noted that the right can be limited
to protect essential services
iftheprocessisvalid.B.C.sprincipalprocessforde-terminingessentialservices
negotiationand,ifnec-essary,mediationthroughtheLabourRelationsBoard
isgenerallyacceptedandunlikelytobechallenged via this
decision.However, the decision couldbe used to challenge any future
attempts by the provincial or federal
govern-mentstopasslegislationdeemingparticularpositions to be
essential services. Like the Saskatchewan law, this would
constitute one side in labour negotiations den-ing the rules to
their benet; it would limit the right more than is necessary,
violating the principles the Court set out. Similarly, the section
of the B.C. Labour Code that
listseducationalservicesasessentialservicesmaybe disputed along
similar lines.Beyond this, COPE 378 has already seen the deci-sion
make an impact in other areas of essential services
work.Asnotedabove,theB.C.denitionofessential services partly hinges
on the term welfare," a term that the LRB has often interpreted
very generally, including things like lost revenue from a movie
industry strike. In ourmostrecentessentialservicesnegotiationswith
Fortis and Capilano University, we have been successful in arguing
that the Supreme Courts decision forwarded a diferent
interpretation of welfare, one which prohibits softer claims. This
has helped our workers protect their right to job action and put
more pressure on stubborn
employers.WhileSaskatchewanFederationofLabourv.Sas-katchewan, 2015
may not have entrenched an indisput-able right to strike, it
certainly had a serious impact for public workers in that province
and could easily prevent similar abuses in other provinces.The
Supreme Court of Canada delivered a decision which could have a
signicant impact on labour relations and collective bargaining
rights in Canada.BY IAIN REEVE, RESEARCH OFFICER20 | VOLUME 10Issue
#3Summer 2015COPE 378 Local VoiceWOMEN'SRIGHTSBY GAGAN GILL, COPE
378 MEMBERSummer Institute for Union Women 2015From June 23 to 27 I
attended the Western Regional Summer Institute for Union Women in
Portland, Or-egon,asarepresentativeofourunionsWomens Rights
Committee. IfIhadtosumuptheexperienceinoneword,it would be
empowering. Taking courses with and get-ting to know women from
across B.C., Washington, Or-egon, California and even Hawaii was
powerful. Learn-ing about their experiences, the culture of their
unions andthehardshipsfacedwhilebecomingactivistswas really
eye-opening. Various union sisters asked me, on
ourlastday,whatmyfavouritemomentoftheweek was. This was a question
I couldnt answer right away. I had so many!The theme of the week
was Fighting for a Fair Fu-ture:WomenLeadtheWayandmuchofthetraining
wasfocusedondevelopingskillstohelpwomenbe more active in their
unions. IparticipatedinacoreclasscalledActivistto Leader: Our
Organizations Grow When We Do. In the class, we created a brick
wall to symbolize the obstacles women face when trying to take on
leadership roles. It was an overwhelming wall, with all our
fears/restrictions laid out for us to see. Next, the facilitators
told us to write on paper leaves
whatcouldhelpusbreakthroughthewall.Themost inspiring and empowering
part of this activity was to see
thatwehadmoreleavesthanbricks.Thisshowedus that no matter what
obstacles we think are in our way, we can nd many diferent avenues
to assist us with be-coming the leaders we want to be.On the second
to last day we held a minimum wage
rallyoncampus.Itwasgreattoseesomanypeople come out to support this
campaign. One of my favou-rite moments was listening to two women
attending the schooltelltheirstoriesfromwhentheyworkedmini-mum wage
jobs and how hard it was for them to make
endsmeet.Theyusedtheskillstheylearnedintheir class on public
speaking to put real faces and voices to the struggle to raise the
minimum wage.I think the Summer Institute for Union Women is an
experienceeverywomancommittedtobeinganac-tivistshouldhave.Notonlyisitgreattoconnectwith
otherwomenwhohavehadsimilarexperiences,who are willing to help you
when you need it; you also learn valuable skills that can help you
throughout your life as an activist. Gagan Gill is a COPE 378
member who works at the BCGEUinBurnaby.Sheisajobstewardandmember of
the COPE 378 Womens Rights Committee. She was
bornandraisedinAbbotsfordandlikestoshinher spare
time.EMPOWERMENTEMPOWERMENTEMPOWERMENTEMPOWERMENTCOPE 378 Local
Voice VOLUME 10Issue #3Summer 2015 | 21BY ANNETTE TOTH,
VICE-PRESIDENT UNIONS TODAY Before You Ask, The Answer is
YesAsaCOPE378Vice-President,mydutiesinclude attending events and
meetings with members of thepubliconbehalfourmembers,andIoften talk
about the good work this union does. Occasionally someone will ask
me, Do we still need unions in 2015? Without hesitation, I always
answer yes. Heres why:Formanypeople,especiallythosewhodont
haveaunionatwork,theironlyexposuretothework COPE
378andotherunionsdoisthroughthenews. They hear about some type of
job action, strike or lock-out, which creates the perception that
unions are only aboutbargainingandconict.Infact,thisworkonly
scratchesthesurfaceofthepositivewaysthatunions touch our lives.IN
WORKPLACES:Unionsprovideemployeesaplacetocomewhen
theyrefeelingaloneandisolatedatwork.Unionreps and stewards not only
speak up when members are vic-tims of harassment and bullying, they
also work to nd solutions.Weofersupporttomembersindistress.Weve
helpedmembersndtreatmentforaddiction.Weve
alsoguidedmembersthroughleavingunsafehomes
andweveencouragedpeopletoseekcounsellingfor mental health
concerns.Ourstewardsandrepslookforcreativewaysto help injured and
sick workers get to work in a safe and supportive manner. They also
stand up when employ-ers discriminate against a workeror groups of
workers.IN OUR COMMUNITIES:Unions support groups like the United
Way who ad-vocateforstrongcommunitiesandworktoendchild poverty, to
keep preteens safe and support seniors from becoming isolated and
alone. Through the United Way
weraisemoneyforfoodbanks,supportsheltersand provide assistance to a
lot of people who need help. SHAPING GOVERNMENT POLICIES:Unions
lobby and push back on governments when
theirdecisionsnegativelyimpactourmembersatwork and in their
non-work lives. We also speak up against gov-ernments that
victimize workers who dont have unions, like those in the temporary
foreign worker program.We proudly take on tough social issues in
the name ofequalityandfairness.Weveadvocatedformarriage equality,
the creation of our Canada Pension Plan,
uni-versalhealthcare,adequatefundingofpubliceduca-tion,theconceptthatworkofequalvalueshouldre-ceive
equal pay and that no one should earn less money
basedontheirgender,race,maritalstatus,religionor
sexualorientation.Wevefoughtagainstchildpoverty,
inadequateminimumwagesandcutstoEmployment Insurance. We speak up
against bad trade deals, like the Trans Pacic Partnership, that
hurt jobs and our coun-trys economy as a
whole.INTERNATIONALLY:Unions were among the loudest voices speaking
out againstapartheidinSouthAfricaandwearereadyto mobilize again
against this type of fundamental injustice.
Wewerealreadycallingforanendtotheappall-ingconditionsinthegarmentindustryinBangladesh
beforetheRanaPlazacollapsein2013whichclaimed 1,129 lives and left
over 2,515 people injured. We raised international awareness about
this tragedy and pushed
forcompensationforthevictimsandadoptionofthe
BangladeshAccordonFireandBuildingSafety.Every day, unions across
the world lend support to each oth-ers causes, in search of greater
global equality. Ifanissueoracauseseekstomaketheworlda fairer, more
just and caring place, or improve the
qual-ityofworkerslives,Iguaranteeyouthatunionswill
getinvolved.Itmaybe2015,butthelabourmove-ment's work is as urgent
as ever. Do we still need unions in 2015?Without hesitation, I
always answer yes. Heres why:22 | VOLUME 10Issue #3Summer 2015COPE
378 Local VoiceCOPE 378 members work at the following
propertiesAccenture Business ServicesUnion Rep: Tony GeluchAlma
Mater SocietyUnion Rep: Trevor HansenAlma Mater Society
SecurityUnion Rep: Trevor HansenAviscarUnion Rep: Cathy HiraniBCAA
SC & ERSUnion Rep: Trevor HansenBC Computerized Dispatch
(Yellow Cab)Union Rep: Kevin PayneBC Federation of LabourUnion Rep:
Barry HodsonBC Ferry & Marine Workers UnionUnion Rep: Barry
HodsonBCGEUUnion Rep: John ValleBC Hydro (including Powertech
Construction Services)Union Reps:Barbara Junker, Doug Jefs, Joe
NexBC Nurses Union Union Rep: John ValleBC TransitUnion Rep: Cheryl
PopeniukBeach Place VenturesUnion Rep: Kevin PayneBerlitz
CanadaUnion Rep: Kevin PayneBoilermakers 191Union Rep: John
ValleBonnys TaxiUnion Rep: Kevin PayneBurnaby English Language
CentreUnion Rep: Stephen Von SychowskiCanadian Freightways
Ltd.Union Rep: Tony GeluchCanadian Northern Shield/RSAUnion Rep:
Barry HodsonCapilano UniversityUnion Rep: Joe NexCarpentry Workers
Benet and Pension Plans of BCUnion Rep: John ValleCatalyst
PaperUnion Rep: Tony GeluchCIATUUnion Rep: John ValleCoast Mountain
BusUnion Rep: Cheryl PopeniukCoastal Community Credit UnionUnion
Rep: Sarah MelsnessCoastal Community Financial ManagementUnion Rep:
Sarah MelsnessCoastal Community InsuranceUnion Rep: Sarah
MelsnessCollege of Pharmacists of BCUnion Rep: Tony GeluchCollege
of Registered NursesUnion Rep: Tony GeluchColumbia HydroUnion Rep:
Brad BastienColumbia Valley Credit UnionUnion Rep: Sarah
MelsnessCommunity Savings Credit UnionUnion Rep: Sarah MelsnessCMAW
Bargaining CouncilUnion Rep: John ValleCMAW Local 1995Union Rep:
John ValleCoral Cabs (Richmond Taxi)Union Rep: Kevin Payne CUPE
454Union Rep: Barry HodsonCUPE 2011Union Rep: Barry HodsonCUPE
3338Union Rep: Barry HodsonCUPE BC & LocalsUnion Rep: Barry
HodsonDA Townley & AssociatesUnion Rep: Cheryl PopeniukDollar
ThriftyUnion Rep: Cathy HiraniEcojusticeUnion Rep: Barry
HodsonEnterprise Rent-A-CarUnion Rep: Cathy HiraniFirst Canada
ULCUnion Rep: Trevor HansenFortisBC Customer Service CentresUnion
Rep: Cindy A. LeeFortisBC Energy Inc.Union Rep: Cindy A.
LeeFortisBC Inc.Union Rep: Cindy A. LeeGulf & Fraser Fishermens
Credit UnionUnion Rep: Sarah MelsnessHandy PackUnion Rep: Cindy A.
LeeHastings Entertainment Inc.Union Rep: Tony GeluchHertzUnion Rep:
Cathy HiraniIAMAW Transportation District Lodge 140Union Rep: John
ValleIAMAW District Lodge 250Union Rep: John ValleIAMAW Local Lodge
764 Union Rep: John ValleIBEW Local 230Union Rep: John
ValleICBCUnion Reps: Kevin Smyth, Kelly Quinn, Stephen Von
Sy-chowskiIsland Savings Credit Union and InsuranceUnion Rep: Sarah
MelsnessIWA Forest Industry PPUnion Rep: Barry HodsonKekinow Native
Housing SocietyUnion Rep: Barry HodsonKelowna Cabs Ltd.Union Rep:
Kevin PayneKonica MinoltaUnion Rep: Trevor HansenKruger Products
(Scott Paper)Union Rep: Joe NexLadysmith & District CUUnion
Rep: Sarah MelsnessLake City CasinoUnion Rep: Kevin PayneLuMa
Native Housing SocietyUnion Rep: Barry HodsonMacLures Cabs
Ltd.Union Rep: Kevin PayneMarine Workers & BoilermakersUnion
Rep: John ValleMaster Trade Of ceUnion Rep: John ValleNew
Democratic PartyUnion Rep: Barry HodsonPlumbers Local 324Union Rep:
John ValleSchneiderUnion Rep: Cathy HiraniSeaspan International
Ltd.Union Rep: Kevin PayneSEIU 2Union Rep: John ValleSouthern
RailwayUnion Rep: Cindy A. LeeTeamsters Local 31Union Rep: John
ValleTeamsters Local 155Union Rep: John ValleTeamsters Local 213
& 213 Member Benet PlanUnion Rep: John ValleTelecommunications
Workers Union (TWU)Union Rep: Barry HodsonTelecommunication Workers
Pension PlanUnion Rep: Barry HodsonTeletheatre BCUnion Rep: Tony
GeluchThunderbird Winter SportsUnion Rep: Barbara
JunkerTransLinkUnion Rep: Cheryl PopeniukTree IslandUnion Rep:
Cindy A. LeeUnifor Local 1928Union Rep: John ValleUnited Fishermen
& Allied Worker UnionUnion Rep: John ValleVancouver Musicians
AssociationUnion Rep: John ValleVP Credit UnionUnion Rep: Sarah
MelsnessVancouver Shipyards Ltd.Union Rep: Kevin PayneVancouver
Taxi Ltd. (Central Taxi Dispatch)Union Rep: Kevin PayneVantageOne
Credit UnionUnion Rep: Sarah MelsnessVictoria Shipyards Ltd.Union
Rep: Kevin PayneVictoria Trade UnionUnion Rep: John
ValleWestminster Savings Credit UnionUnion Rep: Sarah
MelsnessWorking Ventures Insurance Solutions Union Rep: Barry
HodsonXylem Water SolutionsUnion Rep: Tony GeluchYellow PagesUnion
Rep: Barry HodsonIS PUBLISHED BYPhone: 604-299-0378Fax:
604-299-8211E-mail: [email protected] 1918-9753 COPE Local 378
VoiceCOPE 378: President David BlackSecretary-Treasurer Lori
MayhewLOCAL VOICE Editor: Sage Aaron USW 2009DESIGNED BY: Dansk
Design Groupdanskdesigngroup.comPRINTED AT: Mitchell Press,
Burnaby, B.C.Canadian Of ce and Professional Employees Union, Local
378,Suite 301-4501 Kingsway, Burnaby, B.C. V5H 0E5POSTAL AGREEMENT
#41267023COPE 378 Local Voice VOLUME 10Issue #3Summer 2015 |
23RETURN UNDELIVERABLECANADIAN ADDRESSES TO:#200 - 4595 CANADA
WAY,BURNABY, B.C.V5G 1J9PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO.
41267023Canadian Ofce & Professional Employees Union, Local
378www.COPE378.caAnnual Financial Report2014www.COPE378.ca2|Annual
Financial Report 2014|COPE 378Message from your
Secretary-TreasurerIm pleased to present COPE 378s 2014 nancial
report toourmembers.Eachyearwecompileournancial information for our
auditors to pore over and verify. As
perourconstitution,theauditedinformationandde-tailscontainedwithinthisreportareforyou,asCOPE
378 members, to review. We hope this helps form your assessment of
us as money managers, and gives you in-sight into the
responsibilities and workings of the union.
Onpagethreeyouwillndinformationaboutour
defencefund,whichisafundsetasidetonancially support our members in
the event of any job action and to fund the costs of labour
arbitrations. Page four ofers an overview of the state of our
general fund, which sup-portsCOPE378sday-to-dayfunctions.Thedefence
fund continues to grow, guided by our socially
respon-sibleinvestmentpolicy.Followingthat,thenextpages feature
consolidated statements of nancial position for
theunionoverall,thedefencefund,thegeneralfund andOf
ceEmployeesBuildingLtd.,oursubsidiary. Page seven breaks down our
2015 operating expenses so you can see what was spent on the
various depart-ments and on overhead.
Overall2014wasanotherstableyearforour-nances. On the revenue side
we took a hit when we lost several Accenture members due to layofs.
The bulk of thelayofshitin2013-2014andourAccenturedues revenue was
reduced by half. While the unions nances werent badly hurt on the
whole, I cant say the same for
thepeoplewholosttheirjobs.Thisoneexampleun-derscores why the union
engages in political action: to protect our members. Had the BC
Liberals lost the 2013
provincialelectioninsteadofwinningit,thoselayofs would not have
happened. As many people know, COPE 378 has moved into a new
building, one that weve bought, instead of paying rent to. This
wont show up on the balance sheet until next year as the associated
costs did not come into play until the spring of 2015. Keep an eye
out for next years nancialreport,whichwillshowthepurchaseofthe
building and all associated nancial changes.Lastly, I want to thank
the hardworking staf of the unions nancial department, on whom I
depend to help memanageandreportonCOPE378snances.Our
controllerBarbaraLiang,ouraccountspayableclerk Amandeep Nijjar and
our membership systems admin-istrators Sandi Malhame and Jenny Chen
are consum-mate professionals whose eye for detail is matched only
bytheirdedicationtoourmembership.Wereallvery proud to present you
with this years nancial report. Lori MayhewLori
MayhewSecretary-Treasurer, COPE 378COPE 378|Annual Financial Report
2014|3COPE 378 Defence FundCOPE 378 members have the strategic
advantage of being protected by one of the largest defence funds,
per capita, of any Canadian union that we are aware of. Our
predecessors in COPE 378 structured our dues allocations in such a
way that the defence fund started growing exponentially. The
nancial crash
of2008didimpactourdefencefund,butthefundquicklyrecovered.Some
changesweremadetotheallocationformulaandwhatcouldbepaidoutof the
fundarbitrations are now covered by the defence fund. However, the
fund keeps growing.Were pleased with the state of the fund as it
covers the nearly 12,000 mem-bers of this union in case any of you
should ever have to take strike action to
backupyourrightsinbargaining.Thisfundwouldensurethatyoucouldstill
pay for groceries and for a roof over your head.Defence
Fund2004-2014Balance in FundYear4|Annual Financial Report 2014|COPE
378COPE 378 General FundGeneral
Fund2002-2014Thegeneralfundisthefundfromwhich most of the unions
day-to-day operations arenanced.Therefore,itisunderquitea few more
demands than is the defence fund.
Arecordhighin2006starteddecliningover time for a variety of
reasons, not the least of which was the unions inability to pay for
big ticket legal expenses like arbitrations from the
defencefund.Asyoucansee,thefundhas
beenstabilizingandrecoveringoverthelast two
years.Thegeneralfundcontainsseveralre-servesintowhichfundsareallocated.Those
reservescanonlybeusedfortheirintended
purposes.Thereservesincludethemember protection reserve, the
organizing reserve and the carbon ofset reserve. On June 30, the
Conservative Senate passed the union-bashing Bill C-377. The bills
intent is to make all union expenses available to all members of
the public.LikeCOPE378,thevastmajorityofCanadianunionsvoluntarily
disclose detailed, audited nancial records to members, to ensure
transparencyandaccountability.Mostprovincesalreadyrequire
unionstoleauditednancialreportswithprovinciallabour boards.The new
requirements will draw staf time and nancial resources
awayfromprotectingourmembers,asstafwillberequiredto
time-trackandreporteveryfacetoftheirwork.Receivingand ling the
reporting will also cost Canadian taxpayers. The Canada
RevenueAgencyestimatedthelegislationwouldcostover$20 million to
implement and almost $4 million annually to maintain.
Buteventhatonlyestimatedforreportingfrom1,000labour organizations.
Bill C-377 includes every union and their locals in the country
about 25,000 labour organizations.
AnothersignicantconcernisC-377sthreattoprivacy.C-377
saysthatunionsmustpubliclydiscloseallexpendituresover
$5,000andanysalariesover$100,000.Anyrecipientofan
amountover$5,000,includingrecipientsofunionpension,
disabilityorbenetspayments,willhavetheirpaymentdetails
andaddresspubliclyavailable.TheNationalHockeyLeague
PlayersAssociationlicensingprogramiscaughtinC-377.The privacy
concerns have led several constitutional experts and the
CanadianBarAssociationtoopposethelegislation,sayingitis likely
unconstitutional.
CanadianLabourCongressPresidentHassanYussufsaid,in
responsetothebillspassageonJuly2:Itisclearwhatweare up against.
Stephen Harper is prepared to do whatever it takes to
silencethevoiceofourlabourmovement.Asweheadtowards
thefederalelectiononOctober19,2015,itiscriticalthatwe remind our
members, and others, about Harpers partisan political attack on our
labour movement. The best way we can ensure this bill is repealed
is to defeat Stephen Harper and elect a new federal government this
October.Update on Bill C-377COPE 378|Annual Financial Report
2014|5COPE 378 Financial StatementsCOPE 378Consolidated Statement
of Financial Position 2014COPE 378Defence Fund Statement of
Financial Position 2014The next pages include nancial statements
for: Consolidated Statement of Financial Position 2014 Defence Fund
Statement of Financial Position 2014 General Fund Statement of
Financial Position 2014 Ofce Employees Building Ltd. Statementof
Financial Position 2014ASSETS 2014 2013Current assetsCash &
short term deposits $ 14,157$ 77,634 Temporary investments
21,263,23219,982,398 Accounts receivable 192192 Current portion
ofinterfund balances247,815310,720 TOTAL ASSETS$ 21,525,396$
20,370,944 LIABILITIESCurrent liabilitiesAccounts payable
&accrued liabilities$ 19,972$ 19,047 Current portion
ofinterfund balances49,433200,186 TOTAL LIABILITIES $ 69,405$
219,233 NET ASSETSRestricted for thedefence
fund21,455,99120,151,711 TOTAL LIABILITIES &NET ASSETS$
21,525,396$ 20,370,944 ASSETS 2014 2013Current assetsCash &
short term deposits $ 612,786$ 844,517 Temporary investments
21,595,08820,278,382 Accounts receivable 703,936511,005 Prepaid
expenses 911,900932,613 Current portion ofinterfund
balances2,925,0033,395,385 $ 26,748,713$ 25,961,902 Property &
equipment 1,780,3801,749,280 Interfund balances 944,036944,036
TOTAL ASSETS$ 29,473,12928,655,218 LIABILITIESCurrent
liabilitiesAccounts payable & accrued liabilities$ 1,715,912$
2,136,157 Current portion ofmortgage payable19,09719,086Current
portion of interfund balances2,925,0033,395,385 $ 4,660,012 $
5,550,628Deferred lease benet 0 26,290 Mortgage
payable711,817730,914Interfund balances 944,036944,036 TOTAL
LIABILITIES $ 6,315,865$ 7,251,868 NET ASSETSUnrestricted $
(739,151) $ (1,191,224)Internally restrictedreserves599,027640,900
Restricted for thedefence fund21,455,99120,151,710 Investment in
property& equipment1,780,3801,749,280 Restricted for the
education & training fund61,01752,684 $ 23,157,264$ 21,403,350
TOTAL LIABILITIES &NET ASSETS$ 29,473,129$ 28,655,218 6|Annual
Financial Report 2014|COPE 378COPE 378 Financial StatementsCOPE
378General Fund Statement of Financial Position 2014COPE 378Ofce
Employees Building Ltd. Statementof Financial Position
2014According to the COPE 378 constitution, the COPE 378 executive
board shall be responsible for appointing an independent auditor to
review the unions books and accounts. The executive board is also
responsible for publishingand generally distributing to the
executive council and membership an overview of the auditors
reports.These statements are contained in this report.ASSETS 2014
2013Current assetsCash & short term deposits$ 164,839$ 559,188
Accounts receivable 6,5614,028 Prepaid expenses 46,440798,196
Deposit on building 750,000 0$ 967,840$ 1,361,412 Property &
equipment 1,780,3801,749,280 TOTAL ASSETS $ 2,748,220$ 3,110,692
LIABILITIESCurrent liabilitiesAccounts payable & accrued
liabilities$ 50,148$ 31,686 Current portion ofmortgage
payable19,09719,086Current portion of interfund
balances2,627,7552,884,479 $ 2,697,000$ 2,935,251Deferred lease
benet 0 26,290Mortgage payable 711,817730,914 Interfund balances
944,036944,036 TOTAL LIABILITIES $ 4,352,853$ 4,636,491 NET
ASSETSCapital stock $5$5 Decit (1,604,638) (1,525,804)$ (1,604,633)
$ (1,525,799)TOTAL LIABILITIES &NET ASSETS$ 2,748,220$
3,110,692 ASSETS 2014 2013Current assetsCash & short term
deposits$ 383,621$ 165,562 Temporary investments 321,008285,434
Accounts receivable 697,183506,785 Prepaid expenses 115,460134,417
Current portion of interfund balances2,677,1883,084,665 $
4,194,460$ 4,176,863 Interfund balances 944,036944,036 TOTAL ASSETS
$ 5,138,496$ 5,120,899 LIABILITIESCurrent liabilitiesAccounts
payable &accrued liabilities$ 1,645,790$ 2,085,424 Current
portion ofinterfund balances247,815310,720 TOTAL LIABILITIES $
1,893,605$ 2,396,144 NET ASSETSUnrestricted $ 2,645,864$ 2,083,855
Internally restricted reserves599,027640,900 $ 2,724,755$ 2,724,755
TOTAL LIABILITIES &NET ASSETS$ 5,138,496$ 5,120,899 COPE
378|Annual Financial Report 2014|7COPE 378 Operating ExpensesCOPE
378General Fund Operating Expenses 2014Union
GovernmentAdministrationMembership
Services31%46%17%CommunicationsOrganizing2014MEMBERSHIP
SERVICESCollective agreement management1,780,263Arbitration &
grievances 12,652Bargaining & strike 378,522Member education
290,350Member maintenance255,519$2,717,306 COMMUNICATIONS $
224,829ORGANIZING $ 274,678ADMINISTRATIONStaf holidays and leaves
993,311Of ce administration support 744,075Services and supplies
318,183Staf benets 860,798Of ce furniture and equipment leases
281,828Of ce rent and occupancy costs 504,598Finance department
salaries 259,626Bad debt expense 1,111Audit fees 34,016Staf
education 28,189$ 4,025,735UNION GOVERNMENTDisbursements from
reserves 69,733Executive council 252,502Conventions
219,492Executive board 346,004Member meetings 82,434Committees
372,894Honoraria 40,608Donations 66,720Elections 2,241$1,452,628
TOTAL $8,695,176 3%3%COPE 378 Financial TeamSuite 301-4501
Kingsway, Burnaby, B.C. V5H 0E5Phone: 604-299-0378Toll Free:
1-800-665-6838 Fax: 604-299-8211 [email protected] Ofce
& Professional Employees Union, Local
378www.COPE378.caSecretary-Treasurer:Lori Mayhew The
Secretary-Treasurer is the Chief Financial Ofcer for the union.
This position was made full-time in 2008.Controller:Barbara
LiangThe Controller position was created in 2005 and is held by a
Certied General Accountant to act in a professional capacity as the
Director of Finance for the union.Financial Staf:Jenny Chen, Sandi
Malhame, Amandeep Nijjar
COPE378stafassisttheSecretary-TreasurerandControllerintheday-to-daynancial
operations, including accounts payable and receivable and data
management.Were happy to welcome Jenny Chen, who replaced Donna
Morris who retired earlier this year. Auditors:MNP
LLPTheindependentauditorsconductanannualauditoftheaccountsoftheunionand
prepareareportfortheexecutiveboard.Theboardinturnsharesthendingswiththe
executive council and membership.Sandi Malhame Accounts
ReceivableLori Mayhew Secretary-TreasurerBarbara Liang
ControllerAmandeep Nijjar Accounts PayableJenny Chen Accounts
Receivable