Good News Regarding the Vacation Pro-Rating Arbitration!

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Happy New Year!

We received welcome news on New Year’s Eve. Arbitrator Mr. John Hall released his decision on the grievance which we filed over the vacation pro-rating language. Although it took us a long time to get to hearing, it was worth it. We have been able to correct an injustice done to members of the Local during the last round of bargaining. In his decision, Arbitrator Hall ruled that the vacation pro-rating language was contrary to the Human Rights Code as it discriminated against workers who were disabled.

The arbitrator also upheld the grievance which we filed on the pro-rating of vacation pay for those members who take maternity or parental leave. He determined that it was discriminatory on the basis of sex and family status grounds.

As of December 31, 2015, the offending language will no longer apply. He has referred the matter of remedy back to the parties to negotiate. We will be meeting with the City to begin those discussions. Our position is clear. We want everyone who was affected to be compensated.

As part of his decision, Arbitrator Hall also ruled that vacation entitlement for City employees is a status benefit based on continuous employment or length of service and is not an earned benefit. This upholds the position which we have always taken with regard to vacations.

To read the entire decision, please follow this link.

CUPE National Survey

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Sisters and Brothers,

As you’re more than aware, one of the more difficult challenges of our lives is finding a balance between our work, our families and dealing with care-giving issues. It’s not easy to do and often we find ourselves making sacrifices and hard choices. This creates tension and conflict both at work and at home and results in un-needed stress with its emotional and physical consequences.

If we can make changes to our working lives which will result in an ability to manage these challenges more easily and reduce the stress they produce then we need to do so. CUPE is embarking on a national survey of our members to gather information which can then be used to raise awareness of the issues, develop policies and design contract language which will benefit us all as we try to find ways to deal with care-giving and work/life balance.

Please take a few minutes and fill out the survey.

Thanks,

Simon.

Pumpkin Patch

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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: 

Pumpkin Patch 2015

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.Pumpkin Patch 2015 2

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.”