Province Needs to Get Their Thumb Off the Scale in Collective Bargaining
CUPE Alberta President Rory Gill sent an open letter to Alberta Minister of Finance and Treasury Board Nate Horner demanding the province stop interfering in the union’s collective bargaining.
You can read the letter here:
Provincial Interference in Collective Bargaining Ltr_
While Alberta government ministers and their spokespeople consistently claim they have no involvement in bargaining with CUPE, there are examples of their direct influence at every single school division bargaining table.
“It’s time for the premier and her cabinet ministers to admit their low wage mandates aren’t acceptable, won’t be tolerated, and need to be rescinded,” said Gill.
Outrage among Fort McMurray school division workers as government violates Charter-protected right to strike
In a flagrantly anti-democratic violation of workers’ rights to free collective bargaining, the province has forced the education workers of CUPE 2545 and CUPE 2559 to Alberta’s Dispute Inquiry Board, DIB.
“The Smith government has demonstrated its total disregard for workers, their rights, and their aspirations for improving the quality of education for Fort McMurray students,” said Rory Gill, president of CUPE Alberta.
“They can pre-empt tomorrow’s strike action, but they can’t destroy the solidarity that CUPE education workers have built in their preparations for this strike.”
School division workers across the district have been mobilizing to back their bargaining demands, with a goal of protecting and enhancing the quality of education in Fort McMurray schools.
In a sign of their continuing determination, CUPE education workers will walk picket lines at their schools at the beginning and end of their workday tomorrow, in protest at the government’s move. They will be joined by members of other unions who support CUPE members.
The Dispute Inquiry Board has a minimum 30 days during which to effect a settlement; if it fails to reach a deal acceptable to both the union and the school division employers, workers can issue a second 72-hour notice to strike.
“The education workers of Fort McMurray schools have already turned down offers that would hurt the quality of education for students across the district. We are strong and united like never before. The Smith government has obviously been rattled by our determination and solidarity,” said CUPE 2545 President Lynn Fleet.
The Smith government has steadily eroded workers’ rights since it came to power. But this attack on collective bargaining, a Charter-protected right, is the most outright to date, said union leaders.
“Our members haven’t had a true wage increase in nearly a decade. We are struggling to make ends meet; some of us are working two and three jobs. This round of bargaining was our opportunity to correct those wrongs,” said Danielle Danis, president of CUPE 2559.
All leaders agreed that education workers deserve wages that reflect their contributions, and the current government’s directive on wages is a clear barrier to achieving that.
Gill concluded: “If the Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade were truly committed to reaching a fair deal, he would immediately remove the wage directive that is holding back education wages and keeping workers in poverty. The government’s imposed directives prevent school divisions from offering more than the government’s restrictive mandate allows. These directives are an insult to the hard-working education staff who deserve fair compensation for the vital work they do.
“It’s deeply disingenuous for the government to appoint a Dispute Inquiry Board while simultaneously tying its hands and refusing to allow the board to offer fair wage increases. The government’s actions speak louder than their empty words.”
CUPE Local 2550 Wins Deal
CUPE 2550 WINS DEAL THAT PUTS STUDENTS FIRST
Union successfully pushes back on school division’s wage cut proposal in late-night Labour Day negotiations.
ST. ALBERT — Yesterday morning, CUPE 2550 and the Greater St. Albert Catholic School Division reached a deal that averted strike action. The union successfully pushed back on a proposal that would have seen some new staff take a ten percent wage reduction. The new agreement will now provide better wages to all staff.
“In June, our members voted to strike because we knew that wage cuts would impact our students and families,” said CUPE 2550 President Mary Morin. “I’m so proud of our members who stood together so that we could achieve a deal that’s good for staff, students and parents.”
Under the new agreement, members will receive their first raise in almost nine years and no member will be facing a reduction in wages. By successfully fighting back against wage cuts for new members, the union ensured that the school division would not create further recruitment and retention issues that would impact student learning.
“School Divisions are challenged to recruit and retain education support staff because wages are still too low. There is still work to do to ensure our members receive a fair wage that allows them to focus on their students and not a second our third job. We look forward to bargaining the next contract this fall with the division,” said Morin.
School support staff are some of the most poorly paid workers across Alberta. With the new agreement already expired, CUPE 2550 is keen to work with parents and allies to fight for fair wages and quality public education for families in Morinville and Legal at the bargaining table.
Contact: Brandon Stevens,
CUPE National Rep for Local 2550
Email: bstevens@cupe.ca
Phone: 780-203-8125
CUPE Local 2550 to begin Work-to-Rule Campaign September 3, 2024
CUPE Local 2550 to Begin Work-to-Rule Campaign September 3, 2024
Education support staff with CUPE Local 2550, serving schools in Morinville and Legal with the Greater St. Albert Roman Catholic Separate School Division, are set to begin a work-to-rule campaign on September 3, 2024.
Work-to-rule allows the members to engage in minimal strike action, setting up information pickets outside schools in the district for one hour each morning. Support staff often take on additional work to support students in the district but work to rule limits their responsibilities to essential job activities.
The union and the employer reached an impasse in collective agreement negotiations in June after the school division refused to remove a proposal that would see wages cut by up to 10% for some new employees.
“This strike is about protecting quality education for our kids,” said CUPE 2550 President Mary Morin. “Education scores are already declining in this division and wage cuts will only worsen these trends.”
After eight years of zero wage increases, the employer’s wage offer is nowhere near enough to keep up with Alberta’s rising cost of living. Support staff at Greater St. Albert Catholic make on average $34,000 per year.
If the employer is allowed to hire lower paid workers, they are incentivized to further reduce the hours of the experienced staff working with our most vulnerable kids.
“School support staff are poorly paid across Alberta. We pride ourselves on the care we provide students and their families, but it can be hard to focus on your kids when you have to work two or even three jobs just to pay the bills,” said Morin.
If the employer continues to push a deal that does not offer adequate wage gains for members and attempts to cut wages for new employees, the local will consider escalating strike actions.
Information pickets will go up first thing Tuesday morning September 3, 2024 should the local not reach a deal with their employer over the weekend.
For more information, please reach out to:
Brandon Stevens, CUPE National Representative for Local 2550
Email : bstevens@cupe.ca
Phone : 780-203-8125
CMHA – Edmonton Region Employees Successfully Unionized with CUPE
Canadian Mental Health Association Edmonton Region Employees Successfully Unionize with CUPE
Edmonton, AB [August 23, 2024] – Around 120 employees at the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) – Edmonton Region have officially unionized with the Canadian Union of Public Employees after a successful organizing drive that saw 85 percent of staff vote in favour of unionization.
There were 98 eligible voters, as some casual staff were ineligible to cast a ballot.
CMHA is the leading community mental health organization in the region, delivering key services in mental health support, education, training, wayfinding, and collective action to support individuals, families, communities, and the social sector.
CMHA Edmonton’s workers will now join CUPE Alberta’s membership of over 40,000 workers across the province.
“By coming together, CMHA Edmonton Region employees aim to strengthen our advocacy for mental health services and our own workplace needs,” said Briana Kroeker, a Shift Lead Crisis Services worker at CMHA and a member of the organizing committee.
This unionization effort, spearheaded by dedicated staff members, reflects their ongoing commitment to the mental health and well-being of both clients and colleagues. It also reflects their commitment to working collectively with colleagues throughout the province to achieve collective gains.
This successful unionization effort marks an important moment for mental health workers in Alberta, and CUPE Alberta looks forward to working with our new members to achieve our shared goals: winning better wages, providing quality services, and ensuring dignity for all.
Contact: Brigitte Benoit, Organizing Representative
403-200-7688
Over 10,000 education workers serve notice to bargain
Today, the union representing 10,000 school support workers served simultaneous notice to bargain to 41 school districts for the contracts of education workers. CUPE represents school administrative staff, educational assistants, custodial workers and other classifications in the school system.
CUPE Alberta President Rory Gill explained that the 41 different CUPE Locals have never engaged in this level of co-ordination, but said the notice represents an historic shift in the union’s approach.
“We’re not going to let the province pick us apart one school district at a time,” said Gill. “Our members are determined to get the respect they deserve.”
Gill said the average education worker in Alberta makes $34,000 a year. According to provincial government figures, Educational Assistants make only $27,000.
“Poverty level wages and a decade of losing ground to inflation has changed our approach,” said Gill. “Our locals are working together and will stand together as we fight for salaries that pay the rent.”
“Education workers play a key role in our schools,” said Gill. “But too many of them are working multiple jobs or relying upon the food bank. It’s shameful the lack of respect we pay to people with such a high level of responsibility and passion for students.”
More bargaining turmoil in Calgary
Library workers walk out of talks after ‘insulting’ offer
CALGARY – The union representing library workers in the City of Calgary has walked away from the bargaining table after the city offered a wage deal lower than that rejected by two other groups of civic workers.
CUPE 1169 President Elsa Gee says the union will seek the assistance of a mediator and will consult and coordinate with other union groups looking for wage increases.
“The deal we were offered today is insulting,” said Gee. “It’s less than the city is offering other groups. Less than those other groups that have turned them down. Apparently, the city believes library workers are immune from record inflation.”
Gee says the City has offered 7% wage increases over three years, which is lower than the 9% offered to CUPE Locals 37 and 38, and rejected by both groups.
“This doesn’t come close to addressing the needs of employees,” said Gee. “Calgary Public Library workers are facing unprecedented financial challenges. Many are struggling to make ends meet, relying on food banks, and are deeply worried about paying their rent and bills.”
“Despite these hardships, employees remain dedicated to their work and the public services they provide to the citizens of Calgary.”
“The work CUPE members do is vital to the functioning of our city. However, the city must understand that employees are stretched thin and can no longer bear the financial strain they are under.”
“We urge the Calgary Public Library to recognize and address the critical needs of their employees.”