CUPE National Survey
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.
CUPE National Committees
Your chance to join one of the CUPE National Committees has come!
Review the below information and should you be interested in joining one of the Committees for the 2016/2017 term please fill out the application at the CUPE National website before the deadline on December 1st, 2015.
You can review the Committee descriptions on the CUPE National website.
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.”
Pizza Forum!
Auxiliary, Part-Time, and Temporary Workers are invited to the Union Hall for a Pizza Forum!
Get to know your fellow precarious workers and get updated on Bargaining issues!
When: Thursday December 3rd, 2015 @ 5:00pm
Where: The Union Hall 114-4940 Canada Way
Please email denisboko@gmail.com to RSVP or for any food accommodation requests.
2015 Christmas Dinner & Dance
It’s time for the 2015 Christmas Dinner and Dance!
Saturday December 5th, 2015 from 6:00 PM to Midnight!
Enjoy taking souvenir holiday photos from “The Giggle Booth”
There will be door prizes, a DJ, and a cash bar.
For tickets please call:
Rosary Fong 604 320-2204
Adriana Merlo 604 320-2203
Or if you are part of the Outside Division: Lynda Midtskau 604 297-4488
Deadline to purchase your tickets is November 27, 2015 at Noon.