Month: February 2016

All Presidents Meeting – February 5th 2016

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cyrilThe Alberta ”All Presidents” meeting took place in Edmonton this month.  It was well attended by CUPE Local Presidents from across the Province.

Reports were shared among the participants and the following common themes were noted:

Workload – members are experiencing an increased workload.  Reduction in staffing levels and reduction of hours is common in most healthcare and education Locals across the province.  Locals are seeing more volunteers being used by Employers to do the work of the bargaining unit. Members themselves are volunteering time by working through breaks and staying late to complete duties that cannot be done in their allotted shift.

Human resources and payroll – there has been an increase in grievances and arbitrations by Locals.  Each Local reporting had at least one arbitration in 2015, with some Locals going to arbitration for the first time ever.

Employee payroll records need to be watched closely, as many Locals reported frequent and regular errors.

The importance of coalition work within CUPE, other unions and likeminded organizations was discussed by many participants.

Workplace stress and mental health are becoming common issues. The impact of low oil prices and the economy is being felt in CUPE workplaces. Households that had two incomes are now reduced to one as partners lose jobs, creating stress at home and work. Compounding these personal issues is an increase in workload required of many members leading to stress and stress related illness.

Members are also seeing an increase in violence in the workplace with the clients and patrons that we provide service to. The mental health of workers needs to be a priority, and our employers need to properly deal with the health and safety of our members.

See more photos from the All Presidents’ Meeting here.

Mental health – a safety issue in the workplace

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Mental Health – A safety issue in the workplace

CUPE Alberta is focusing on mental health in the workplace this year with the goal to bring to light important information about mental health issues as a health and safety concern.

The Canadian Mental Health Commission championed the creation of the National Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace which was created by the Canadian Standards Association and the Bureau de normalization du Quebec (BNQ) in 2013. The standard is “a voluntary set of guidelines, tools and resources focused on promoting employees’ psychological health and preventing psychological harm due to workplace factors,” says the website.

There is also a document titled “Assembling the Pieces: An Implementation Guide to the National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace”. Geared for HR Managers, senior leaders and OH&S professionals, this guide offers the tools to implementing the standard at workplaces.

The standard is not legally mandatory – it is still voluntary. However, we can begin to make inroads with our employers by letting them know that this standard exists, and that it’s something they should consider implementing. It is also information and policy that unionists can use and ask for in future bargaining.

The statistics are staggering (from the website):
• On any given week, more than 500,000 Canadians will not go to work because of mental illness.
• More than 30% of disability claims and 70% of disability costs are attributed to mental illness.
• Approximately $51 billion each year are lost to the Canadian economy because of mental illness.

Implementing the Standard into workplaces saves money – and lives.

The standard and the implementation guide are available for download free from the website www.mentalhealthcommission.ca

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Bring a child a smile – CUPE 829 goes the extra mile for their community

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smile 1 croppedMEDICINE HAT – Like most CUPE locals in the K-12 sector, CUPE 829 members help kids every day. But this local, which represents staff at four school districts in the Medicine Hat area, decided to go a little further.

CUPE 829 President Sharon Stolz explains, “We wanted to do more, we wanted to give a little back.”
Since 2014 the local has started a fund to contribute to children in the schools and the community. They have purchased 130 helmets for use in the schools – all with a ‘donated by CUPE 829’ sticker. The Local has also started paying for the sharpening of school owned ice skates.

In an effort to get students, parents and teachers into the spirit, the Local has started putting collection bins in all schools each November to collect pajamas for the women and children of Phoenix Safe House – a local womens’ shelter.

“In our first year, we collected 150 pairs, this year it’s up to 465 – so it’s really growing,” said Stolz.

Stolz said the local started its efforts with a $5,000 contribution from CUPE Alberta’s “I’m on your side” campaign fund. The Local is adding $100 per month to the campaign and allows members to make contributions if they wish. Some members waive receiving flowers for the loss of a family member in lieu of a donation to the fund.

Next up for CUPE 829? Stolz wants to do something for older kids at risk. She notes that McMann Youth Services provides cooking lessons for junior and senior high kids from less functional homes. She wants the local to contribute money to that program for groceries. Teach cooking skills to kids who come from difficult homes.

See more pictures on Flickr

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