members in focus
Success of our Apprenticeship Program
Did you know that CUPE 23 and Burnaby support trades apprentices in the workplace? Check it out!
Childcare Needs Survey – please participate
The link for this survey has been sent out to our member email list. Didn’t get an email? Contact the office to make sure we have your up to date personal email address.
604-298-0200 info@cupe23.ca
To complete the survey click on the image.
We do important work! Better Services. Better Communities.
Come out on Friday September 21 for one our 3 campaign launch events.
CUPE Precarious Worker Survey
Reminder: Ethel Lau Scholarship
The Ethel Lau Scholarship was established in 2001 and is issued on behalf of the Burnaby Civic Employees’ Union. It honours the memory of Ethel Lau, a past union activist and recognizes her service of over 20 years.The Fund has been established for the exclusive purpose of awarding non-repayable educational scholarships to qualified recipients who are continuing their education. There are seven (7) one thousand dollar ($1,000.00) scholarships awarded annually at the discretion of the Executive Board of CUPE Local 23.
This award is for members or their children for post-secondary, undergraduate studies.
The deadline for the Ethel Lau Scholarship has been extended to June 30, 2016.
– For further details regarding the Ethel Lau Scholarship please follow this link.
– To apply for the scholarship click here then print and submit a copy to the Union office via email, internal mail, or in person during business hours.
Please contact the Union office should you have any further questions.
Email: admin@cupe23.ca | Telephone: 604-298-0200
Website: www.cupe23.ca
Equity and Human Rights Committee Pizza Forum
Any one who is interested in learning about equity and human rights issues and those interested in participating in the Equity and Human Rights Committee are invited to attend this pizza forum!
When: Saturday, March 12, 2016 @ 10:00 AM
Where: The Union Hall 114-4940 Canada Way
Email: admin@cupe23.ca
Pumpkin Patch
Our Local was recognized by CUPE BC; on their website they had this to say about Brother Chris Revitt and the volunteers who helped organize and run the Pumpkin Patch this year:
BURNABY — CUPE 23 member Chris Revitt and his family turned their enjoyment of choosing pumpkins at a pumpkin patch into a community event for neighbourhood children, who may be physically or financially unable to get to one.
“I have three kids of my own and every year they visit the pumpkin patch. We realized some of their classmates don’t have the opportunity to go to a pumpkin patch, so we bring the pumpkin patch to them,” said Revitt.
The family built a pumpkin patch last year at South Slope Elementary & BC School for the Deaf. Revitt’s union, CUPE Local 23 that represents civic workers in Burnaby, stepped up to provide sponsorship. That allowed the event to be expanded to include Douglas Road Elementary.
“We work and live in the community so we like to reach out to our community and be active in it,” says CUPE 23 Chairperson Bruce Campbell.
Revitt, a Burnaby Parks Board irrigation worker, says that a good relationship with the schools helps make the event a success. Work gets underway a month before and begins with coordinating with school principals who set up a schedule and ask parents to volunteer.
A lot goes into the community event. Pumpkins, bales of hay and decorations are picked up. Enough popcorn is popped and hot chocolate brewed to serve about 700 students. CUPE 23 members, parents and others in the community get an early start setting up between 350 and 400 pumpkins on fields at both schools over two days. This year pre-school classes were also invited to visit the pumpkin patch.
Each class comes outside in the morning and gets hot chocolate and popcorn to munch while they tour the field and select a pumpkin. Teachers help students paint pumpkins or carve them, and some may even make pumpkin seeds. Last year some children brought their decorated pumpkins to a nearby seniors’ home for them to enjoy as well.
Revitt says that it’s rewarding because the community gets involved. Everyone who stops by is invited to come in and participate.
“You only have to watch the kids, and the parents. When you look at the faces of the kids, they’re so excited to be able to pick a pumpkin,” said Revitt.
Everything gets donated at the end. Pumpkins are given away to siblings and family members and some will go to Children’s Hospital. The hay bales go to an animal rescue organization. Decorations get donated back to schools for their school dance or Halloween parties.
“This is an awesome event,” says Kim Pearson, a CUPE 23 member who runs the hot meal program at the school. “It’s very multi-cultural here and this is a great way for everyone to learn about new traditions.”