Front Row:  CUPE 3523 Vice-President Wendy Johnson, President Bill Zeman, Custodial Shop Steward Paul Ainsworth, Recording Secretary Deb Roseleine, Student Support Services Shop Steward Roxanne McKnight, Secretary-Treasurer Leanne Louie.

- Read what took place at the CUPE BC 49th Annual Convention

 

A joint message from CUPE Local 3523 and Central Okanagan Teachers' Association #23

On Monday, March 5, 2012, BCTF members across the province will commence full strike action to protest the government's plan to once again interfere with free collective bargaining in British Columbia. This letter is to assure you that the leadership of the BCTF and CUPE are working together to show solidarity and unity in our opposition to the government's heavy-handed legislation and refusal to bargain.

During this strike action, there will be no picket lines, however, there may be demonstrations and/or leafleting near schools. The decision, which was agreed to by the BCTF, not to have picket lines was made at the Labour Relations Board to prevent lengthy hearings which would have made any strike action impossible. The decision means CUPE members are expected to show up to work and perform their own work (catch-up on clerical, maintenance or custodial, Pro-D, team meetings, or personal study, etc.). Those duties do not include student supervision in classrooms, gyms, or auditoriums, which is teacher and administrator work. CUPE members will not perform any teacher work, and any request by school or district administration to do should be brought to the attention of the CUPE local office immediately. (250-860-3523).

This is a unique strike situation. The absence of picket lines, and presence of demonstrations and/or leafleting, may lead to confusion. We want to assure you that the BCTF and CUPE are working in cooperation. CUPE members are not breaking solidarity when they go to work. CUPE Local 3523 will be inviting its members to attend teacher rallies and other activities to show solidarity.

Please contact your CUPE 3523 office at 250-860-3523 if you have any questions or concerns.

In solidarity,

President Bill Zeman

CUPE Local 3523

President Alice Rees,

Central Okanagan Teachers' Association

BCTF Strike - Information for CUPE members

On Thursday March 1, 2012, the BCTF served notice that it will commence a three day strike starting Monday March 5, 2012.

The BCTF has reached an agreement with the employer through the Labour Relations Board that will see no picket lines go up during the strike. The agreement, which the BCTF has asked CUPE to honour, means CUPE members in the K-12 sector are expected to show up to work as scheduled, but should not perform any student supervision which is teacher and administrator work.

CUPE fully supports the BCTF's struggle against Bill 22 and their fight for free collective bargaining. CUPE BC President Barry O'Neill has written a letter to all CUPE members to explain the situation further. Read CUPE BC President Barry O'Neill's letter to members here for more information. Also, you can read a joint letter from BCTF President Barry O'Neill and BCTF President Susan Lambert.

If this is a strike, why are CUPE members going to work?

At the Labour Relations Board, the BCTF and the employer reached a unique agreement to ensure the strike could happen in a timely manner. The BCTF asked that CUPE members be allowed to continue their work to avoid lengthy hearings about essential services. The BCTF has asked CUPE to honour this agreement.

What if my work site has a picket line, should I cross it?

Why is CUPE not on the picket lines showing solidarity?

What should I do at work?

Student supervision should be assigned, if necessary, to administrators and other excluded staff. Please contact your CUPE Local 3523 office at 250-860-3523 immediately if you are asked to do any work beyond your normal duties.

FEB 29, 2012

CUPE members proudly supported the BCTF Day of Action on Monday in support of teacher's collective bargaining rights. Today, there were two significant developments in K-12.

Bill 22

Government introduced Bill 22, the Education Improvement Act. This bill purports to resolve the BCTF dispute by instituting a cooling off period that forbids strike or lockout and includes terms of reference for a mediator who will assist BCTF & BCPSEA to reach an agreement within those terms. The terms include net zero for two years, a cooling off period, and hefty fines for members and unions who are violate the legislation.

CUPE does not support legislative action by any government that interferes in the process of collective bargaining.

Read Bill 22 here

Essential Services Order - BCTF Escalation of Job Action

In addition to Bill 22, on February 28 the Labour Relations Board issued its interim essential service order on BCTF Escalation of Job Action. The interim order provides, in part, that:

• Teachers may withdraw their services fully for up to three consecutive days upon giving notice of no less than two school days;
• After the initial three day withdrawal, the BCTF may withdraw their services fully for 1 out of 5 school days per week upon at least two school days notice;
• While teachers are at work, they must perform at least the duties they were performing under their Phase I job action;
• During any job action, BCTF will not picket, block access or egress or otherwise restrict or cause to be restricted in any way, the full and complete access to schools by CUPE and other members of support unions or impede the operation of other employers who occupy the same premises as schools or other districts;
• The parties will work with the Board to complete a final essential service order.

Normally CUPE members always respect picket lines. However in this situation, where there is no picket line, we report to work.

K-12 Support staff will not encounter pickets and will go to work at their regular work place and time. We have been assured by BCPSEA that school district employers will not close schools or layoff members during the dispute. We remain in constant communication with the BCTF around next steps.