Cupe1050

Council Show Their True Colors...

Feb. 2/04

Over 100 members of CUPE 1050 and 3176 as well as members of the public gathered at City Hall tonight, and witnessed just how uncaring this Council truly is.

Mayor Nate Bello opened the meeting with the comment that he had considered bringing the topic of laying off 54 Recreation Employees, up for reconsideration, but instead he decided not to readdress the issue. He read a prepared statement instead. No

matter what the outcome would have been, if he had opted to revisit this decision, it would have shown that at least one member of this council, cared enough about their long term employees to bring the topic forward. Instead the Mayor and Council decided to hide behind a prepared statement, and carry on with their plan to layoff all Rec Center and Arena Staff.

The City claims that there will be a "seamless" transition, of staff from the City to the CRD, but admits that there is a grey area around the successorship of these Union employees. It is our view that to be seamless the City would have had to discuss this with the CRD, instead of handing them an ultimatum.

CRD manager Gordon Gillette, said that he couldn't comment on whether these Union members would have successership or not, or whether the services would be contracted out. He also said that they would need more than 90 days, and may shut the facilities down until they get the infrastructure in place to take over the operations.

The Union realizes there is more to the issue than the $54,000 it would take to keep the operations under the Management of the City, but this amount would make it possible for all employees to remain working for another year while negotiations continue between the 2 levels of Government.

The Union feels this is just a plan to privatize the facilities, at the expense of the 54 Employees, who they just commended for giving excellent service.

It makes us wonder if they can't afford $54,000. to keep us working, where will they find the $280,000. it will cost them in severance packages to get us to leave?

At Labour / Management today the Union asked Management to put in writing all commitments that they could guarantee to the effected members regarding job security, successorship, and future employment. After a short meeting Management announced that they cannot commit to anything. This shows that no matter what kind of rosy picture the Council and Management are trying to paint about a seamless transaction, in actual fact they would not give us any commitment on these issues. In all probability all 54 members will be layed off, with no guarantee of any future employment in the Arenas or Rec Center.

Strike Ends With Agreement For One More Chance... Feb. 4, 2004

A work stoppage which lasted until 1PM today, ended with an agreement reached between the Union and the City, which allows the City to try and resolve the issue one last time at a CRD meeting in Williams Lake on Friday, Feb. 6, 2004. The Union will be watching closely, as Management said they are hoping to reach an agreement that will retain all City Workers positions. Several Council members have also said they are committed to resolving this issue.

This work stoppage included approximately 150 people at many different City work places including the Public Works Dept., City Hall, the Twin Arena's, the Museum, the RCMP Support Staff, the Fire Hall Clerical Staff, and the Art's and Recreation Center. The Airport remained open, with off duty Maintenance Staff, participating in the Strike.

Although the threats of 54 layoffs from the Arenas and Rec Center, sparked the strike, it was really a culmination of this issue, the ongoing Southills issue, and poor relations with Senior Management.

Recreation Jobs Safe Until 2005...

Feb. 10, 2004

The City and the CRD have approved a 7 point agreement, put together by Gordon Gillette, CRD Manager and Charles Hamilton, City of Quesnel Manager. The agreement includes compromises from both sides and will allow for proper funding of the Twin Arena's and the Arts and Recreation Center until the end of 2004.

The agreement also includes $50,000 for a consultant to study issues of governance, boundaries, scope of service, management and operating options and cost recovery.

City Votes For $480,000

In Service Reductions To Help

Balance Budget...

At the Finance Committee of Whole Council meeting held on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2004, the Council approved a 3 year plan to cut $850,000 in services, starting with $480,000 in 2004, $260,000 in 2005 and $110,000 in 2006.

Details of how this will affect CUPE 1050 membership have not been released at this time, but layoffs are expected.

City services provided by CUPE members include:

Snow Removal, Sidewalk Clearing, Sanding, Grading, Pot Hole Filling, All Road Maintenance, Sign Maintenance, Flagging Services, Garbage Collection, Landfill Maintenance, Sidewalk Sweeping, Parks Maintenance, Gardening, Road Sweeping, Sidewalk Construction, Bylaw Enforcement, Animal Control, Guard Services, RCMP Clerical Support Staff, Museum Curators, Building Inspections, City Hall Clerical, City Planning, Arena Maintenance, Janitorial, Ice Making, Arena 2 Concession, Cemetery Maintenance, Fire Hall Clerical, Water and Sewer Services, Airport Maintenance, RCMP Janitorial, City Hall Janitorial and Many More Services.

Excerpt from minutes of Finance Committee of Whole Council meeting held on Wednesday, February 25, 2004.

MOVED Councilor Sjostrom, Seconded Councilor Paull and resolved: THAT Council receive for information the budget balancing options as outlined in the City Manager's administrative report;

AND THAT staff be directed to address the 2004 budget shortfall of$I.3 million, after factoring in new taxation of $300,000, by proceeding with a tax increase of 2.5%, service reductions of $480,000, and a transfer from reserves of $608,000.

CARRIED 5-2

Councilors Thapar and Paull opposed.

Core Review Discussions Held...

A meeting was held Mar. 3/04 with the Executives of both Quesnel CUPE Locals, City Manager Charles Hamilton and Dugal Smith, a Facilitator in the Core Services Review.

Discussions took place around the topic of the City facing a financial crisis.

It was explained that the City is not keeping up to its infrastructure needs, such as road repair and that the City cannot afford to complete major projects along with all the other expenses they are facing. It was mentioned that the Core Review is designed to find efficiencies and decide which services offered by the City could be discontinued or contracted out.

Bernie Schneider, CUPE National Rep. pointed out that the City is in the financial mess that they are in because of political decisions to spend money on wants instead of needs. He went on to list a few examples such as:

City Hall $ 8 Million

Duck Pond $215,000

Civic Plaza $ 1 Million

Shiraoi House $600,000

SPCA Funding $90,000

Westside Dyke $1 Million

He then carried on saying that we do not plan on our workers having to pay for these mistakes with their jobs.

It was agreed that the Union will help to find efficiencies, but was stated strongly that we will not stand by and watch our jobs be contracted out.

A budget meeting held at City Hall on March 4/04, saw the $100,000 proposed cuts to services reduced to $50,000. The proposal to close the City for 3 days a year passed, and Communities In Bloom got their funding increased by 33%, another $5000 over last year.

City Benchmarking Survey

Offers Interesting Numbers...

In a Benchmarking Survey carried out by the City, Williams Lake, Terrace, Dawson Creek, and Fort St. John are compared to the City of Quesnel. Some of the interesting points are:

- Quesnel has 54 parks, more than double the amount of any of the other Cities

- Quesnel is the largest in size

- Quesnel has more KM of roads

- Quesnel has the lowest population

- Quesnel has more staff than any of the other Cities

- Quesnel has the highest City Administration costs of any of the Cities

- Quesnel has the highest Management Staff of all the Cities

We believe that Quesnel is the best maintained, best appearing and cleanest City in these comparisons.

CUPE 1050 Election Results...

Dec. 14, 2004

There were very few changes made to the CUPE 1050 Executive, at the elections held on Dec. 13, 2004.

President: Dan Weiman, Vice President: Ron Craigmyle, Treasure: Cookie Castle, Chief Shop Steward: Doug Chute, Yard Shop Steward: Kewal Bagri, Arena Shop Steward: Donna King and Airport Shop Steward: Bob Leclerc were all elected by acclamation.

Newly elected were Recording Secretary: Heather Smith, RCMP Shop Steward: Dianah Bergeson, Yard Shop Steward: Ron Thompson, Sgt. At Arms: Dave Rollo, Trustee 3 Year: Louis Gehl and Safety Committee: Liz Dodd.

VANCOUVER – B.C. Federation of Labour President Jim Sinclair today launched the largest grassroots political action campaign in the Federation’s history at the 48th Convention of the B.C. Federation of Labour.

"We're going to reach out to every one of our members and make sure they understand the choice facing BC so that they understand the connection between the ballot box and their workplace, the connection between the ballot box and our communities," Sinclair told the crowd.

Sinclair explained that the campaign, called "Count Me In", isn’t about money, but about organizing large numbers of workers to get involved in politics in every BC community.

"Our war chest is over half a million people strong. Unions represent working women and men right across this province."

"Pundits would have us believe Gordon Campbell can't be beaten," said Sinclair. "I have three words for them: Surrey—Panorama—Ridge."

Sinclair also told delegates that unions must step up to the plate to fight for fair wages.

Sinclair said CEO's of the top 100 publicly traded companies got an average pay increase of thirty-six percent last year and fifty-one percent this year.

"More and more this government is siding with the employers and that's why more and more workers need unions."

Meeting Confirms 1 Casual Per Shift...

Nov. 16, 2004

In a meeting held today, Nov. 16, 2004, with the City, Jack Marsh, Director of Public Works and Engineering, confirmed that the City only planned on using one casual per shift when needed, to help out with snow removal on afternoon and weekend shifts. All other snow removal operations, will continue as they have been in the past.

This should clear up any concerns CUPE 1050 Members may have had after hearing uninformed opinions on how the Causal On Call list would work.

As a result of the agreement reached over the Southills snow removal, two new full time jobs have been awarded, and several more casual positions will be filled in the near future. The City now has afternoon and weekend shifts for snow removal and sanding, which should improve City sanding and snow removal services.

City And Union Settle All Outstanding Issues...

Oct.20, 2004

In a very positive meeting held on Oct.19, 2004, CUPE 1050 and City Management resolved the Southills issue, the layoff issue, the fuel sampling grievance, and the grievance against one of the City Councilors.

The resolve for the Southills arbitration includes the Union getting 2 new full time jobs, including a winter afternoon shift and a year around shift that includes weekend work, it also starts a new on call list for employees on lay off to help out during heavy snowfalls. A key in this agreement was the City's willingness to train current 1050 Employees on the sand truck operations and also provide training on the grader providing applicants already posses a class 3 licence and air ticket, and have experience driving tandem axle trucks.

The City also reversed all full time lay off notices that were issued and returned all jobs that had previously been reduced to a .8 position back to full time.

The Union agreed to drop a minor grievance against one of the City Councilors, and agreed to let the City carry on with their Airport Janitorial contract for one more term.

The Union and City also agreed to eliminate the contracts for the RCMP parking lot snow plowing and the Airport fuel sampling, which will in turn create another new position on a part time basis in the summer to carry out the fuel sampling duties as well as labourer duties as needed.

These resolves clear the slate for the Union and City, and a verbal commitment was made by both parties to try and improve labour relations which had fallen to an all time low earlier in the year.

The 2 new full time jobs will be posted today at all City work sites.

CUPE 1050 President Gets Full CUPE BC Sponsorship

To Parksville Week Long School...

Nov.2, 2004

In an ongoing commitment to educating CUPE BC Executive Board members, CUPE BC offered 3 full sponsorships to the Parksville Week Long School.

CUPE 1050 President Dan Weiman who was recently elected as an Alternate Regional Vice President, was lucky to be selected for one of these sponsorships.

The course taken was called Advanced Leadership, and was actually made up of four mini courses. Topics covered included: representing Members at investigation meetings, resolving conflict, duty to accommodate, harassment training, fighting racism in the workplace, and statistics and research, how they can benefit your local.

City Tries To Avoid Arbitration Ruling In An Attempt

To Contract Out Southills Area Again...

Sept. 25, 2004

The City Lawyer, has sent two separate letters to Vince Ready, since receiving his recommendations on Sept. 16, 2004. Both letters are trying to side step the recommendations and avoid posting any jobs. They go on to say that the City would like to contract out the work once again.

The Union has also sent submissions, in response to the City letters, asking for the rulings to become binding as they were supposed to on Sept.23, 2004.

Both sides are awaiting a response from Vince Ready.

CUPE 1050 Wins Southills Arbitration...

Sept.17,2004

After almost a year of meetings and an August 18, 2004 arbitration, Arbitrator Vince Ready agrees with the position taken by the Union.

View Document

Highlights are as follows:

1) That the presentation to City Council on this issue in November, 2003 was not a fair portrayal of the Union’s position. Clearly, the Union has indicated a willingness to obtain the South Hills work for its members and, in doing so, is prepared to make concessions with respect to hours of work and scheduling. This was stated by Union President Weiman in his letter to the City Manager dated October 27, 2003. Given more time for meaningful discussions to develop between the parties, the Union position, as expressed in later proposals, could have been more accurately and more clearly presented to City Council.

2) From the evidence, there appears to be no dispute that bargaining unit employees can perform the additional summer road maintenance in a cost effective manner.

3) The evidence of Mr. Erickson is that, with the exception of heavy snowfalls, the snow removal and sanding in the South Hills area can be performed by one operator. In the case of a heavy snowfall, a grader is also employed. I accept this evidence and, in my view, the Union has proposed such a shift arrangement with an afternoon shift during the weekdays (Monday to Friday) and a year-round utility weekend shift. The afternoon shift would only be required during the “winter” months (November 1–March 31), with additional work being performed by casuals on call-in and, in circumstances consistent with LOU No. 6, by contractors.

4) In sum, it is my recommendation that the parties implement a winter afternoon shift and a year-round utility weekend shift to accommodate the performance of the additional road maintenance in the South Hills area.

Meetings to discuss these recommendations will be held soon.

CUPE Press Release

Standing Room Only At Town Hall Meeting...

July 7,2004

It was standing room only, at the Town Hall meeting sponsored by CUPE and CCAPSL, to discuss the legal opinion about the issues surrounding the purchase of City Hall.

The panel of speakers included Leo McGrady a lawyer from the legal firm McGrady, Baugh, & Whyte, Barry O'Neill President of CUPE BC and Ron Campbell, CCAPSL Spokesperson.

Opening comments from Ron Campbell included a summary of events over the past few years leading up

to tonight's meeting, including the letters of understanding and leases of the City Hall. Next Barry O'Neill spoke of how CUPE became involved in this issue, and the role CUPE Members play as workers and citizens in our communities.

The floor was then turned over to Leo McGrady who supplied an in depth legal opinion of all issues around the City Hall lease, letters of understanding, and obligation to purchase the building. He detailed how he had reviewed aprox. 1040 documents and researched other cases to form his opinion.

In simple terms the legal opinion stated that because the letters of understanding did not have the approval of the electorate by way of reverse petition or referendum, that they are void. He stated that there is no obligation to purchase the City Hall and that the City could walk away at the end of the 5 year lease. He also stated that the City's credit rating would not be ruined if the City walked away .

Many speakers from the gallery proceeded to ask questions and make comments including Mayor Nate Bello and Councilor Mike Doyle.

The main opinion to come out of the meeting is that the residents of Quesnel want a referendum on the future of City Hall including an option to walk away from the building at the end of the lease.

Jim Sinclair, Nate Bello

Guests at Labour Council...

June 10, 2004

Both Jim Sinclair, President of the BC Federation Of Labour, and Mayor Nate Bello appeared as guests at the monthly meeting of the Quesnel and District Labour Council.

Frank discussions ensued about the HEU Strike and Protest, and about the City disciplining their workers for taking part.

It was pointed out that no other Union Members in Quesnel were disciplined.

CUPE Members Get Disciplined For Taking Part In The

Political Protest In Support Of the HEU...

June 8, 2004

Members of CUPE 1050 and 3176 started receiving discipline letters this past Friday, for taking part in the Political Protest in support of the HEU. They also got disciplined for not crossing the picket lines that were at their job sites when they arrived for work on Monday May 3.

Today CUPE 1050 filed 38 grievances on this issue and plan on filing many more tomorrow.

400 People Attend Council Rally...

A rally held at City Hall May 3, 2004, in protest of job cuts included in the 2004 City budget, was a huge success.

Over 400 people listened to speakers from the Quesnel & District Labour Council, and CUPE. Speakers stated how the City financial mismanagement, and particularly the Council's spending on expensive frill projects, were causing the City to cut services and jobs of CUPE Members.

CUPE would like to thank all those who attended, and witnessed

Councilor Doyle and Thapar bash the Union, and Councilor Paull talk about how job cuts and tax hikes would not have been necessary if Council would have spent the City's money on the needed " stuff instead of the fluff." The budget passed, with only Councilors Couldwell and Paull opposed, and in a strange turn of events at the end of the meeting Councilor Thapar, made two motions to hire all the seasonal's back, and fill all the full time spots. These motions were tabled until next weeks council meeting.

Note: CUPE 1050 and 3176 would like to apologize to Councilor Thapar, for a comment made at our City Hall rally about him crossing a picket line at his place of work, this did not happen.

Members Of Locals 1050 and 3176 Are An Inspiration To The Labour Movement In Canada...

Posted April 23, 2004

In his speech yesterday to the 500 delegates at the CUPE BC Convention in Vancouver, CUPE National President, Paul Moist said the members of Locals 1050 and 3176 are an inspiration to the Labour Movement in Canada. He went on to say it takes courage to stand up and fight back to protect jobs. He wished the Locals well in their fight with City Hall and guaranteed all the resources of CUPE National in our fight.

Rec. Center Workers Ratify New Deal...

June 21, 2005

After six days at the bargaining table an agreement was reached between CUPE Local 1050 - 01 and the City of Quesnel. The deal includes wage increases of 3% in each of the first 3 years and a minimum of 2% in each of the last 2 years of the agreement with a clause to reopen negotiations for wages on April 1, 2008. Benefit increases included a Blue Net card, two extra sick days per year, better bereavement and mourner's leave, a medical travel plan, family days off with pay, coverage for eye exams and increases to clothing and work boot allowances. The deal was accepted unanimously by the Members present at the ratification meeting held Tuesday, June 21, 2005 at 3PM.

CUPE Local 1050 - 01are the employees at the Arts and Recreation Center in Quesnel (formerly Local 3176) and are taking part in a trial merger period with Local 1050. Final vote to see if the two locals formally merge will take place on September 19, 2005.

Northern CUPE Members Appointed to Chair Committees...

At the CUPE BC 2005 Think Tank, held recently in Kelowna, Northern CUPE members were appointed to chair several important committees.

Local 1050 President Dan Weiman was appointed to chair the BC Municipal Committee and the Young Workers Task Force. Local 1048 President Carlene Keddie will chair the Political Action Committee and Local 4177 President Sandi Taylor will sit on the K to 12 Committee.

As Chair of the young Workers Task Force for BC, Dan Weiman will also be a Rep for the National Young Worker Committee and BC Federation of Labour Young Worker Committee.

Quesnel CUPE Locals To Merge...

CUPE Locals 1050 and 3176 have voted to merge with CUPE 3176 becoming a sub-local of 1050. Voting took place for 1050 members on September 19, 2005 and for 3176 members on Sept. 22, 2005.

The formal merger will become effective on December 1, 2005 and will see both locals making up one Executive Board to deal with all matters from all work locations. Both groups will continue to have separate contracts and seniority lists.

CUPE Local 1050 now consists of Workers at the Public Works Yard, Airport, City Hall, Museum, Arena, Fire Hall, Cemetery, Landfill and RCMP Detachment.

CUPE Local 3176 consists of the Workers at the Arts and Recreation Center.

Solidarity Urged In Wake Of Bill 12...

CUPE members throughout British Columbia are standing behind members of the BC Teachers’ Federation in the wake of the Liberal government’s introduction of Bill 12, the Teachers’ Collective Agreement Act, which imposes a contract on teachers wihout addressing any of the BCTF’s bargaining issues.

The legislation has serious implications for all public sector workers in the province, said CUPE BC president Barry O’Neill, speaking from the CUPE national convention in Winnipeg.

CUPE BC delegates and staff at the CUPE national convention were strong in their condemnation of the Campbell Liberals and indicated strong support for the BCTF in whatever action it takes in response to this legislation.

“Despite the tone of mutuality implied by the name of this act, this legislation will in fact have a dramatic effect on collective bargaining for all workers in the K-to-12 sector and beyond,” said O’Neill. “We are currently in communication with both the BC Teachers’ Federation and the BC Federation of Labour on what further course of action must be taken.”

at the North Cariboo Joint Planning Committee held on Dec. 13, 2005 in an effort to save about $19,000. in wages per year. These cuts were part of a total budget reduction of about $63,000 needed to meet the 2006 budget shortfall. Budget shortfalls have been part of an ongoing battle between the City and the Cariboo Regional District, in which they have been unable to agree on a funding formula that would adequately meet the needs for recreation in Quesnel in 2006.

In a time when Quesnel has a feasibility study in progress for a new multiplex it seems odd that the Joint Planning Committee can not find the funds to pay for existing operations without cutting hours.

If you are opposed to cuts at the Recreation Center please let the members of the Joint Planning Committee know with a phone call or email.

For Contact Numbers and Emails please click on the buttons below

Cariboo Regional District Not Renewing Building Inspection Contract...

As of Jan.1, 2007 City Building Inspectors will no longer do inspections in the Cariboo Regional District area. This is the result of a decision made by the CRD to open their own office in Quesnel and provide their own staff to look after inspections in the CRD area.

At first it was thought that the loss of this contract for the City would result in layoffs of 1 1/2 full time Local 1050 positions. They layoffs were expected to affect one clerical position and 1/2 of a building inspector position.

After several meetings and much discussion, agreements were reached to keep the clerical position full time, and to make the building inspection position full time seasonal from April to October and casual for the rest of the year, working as needed. This will reduce the total job losses to about .3 of a full time position.