Fort McMurray managers get overtime for emergency but front line workers left out – CUPE

FORT MCMURRAY – The union representing front line Fort McMurray municipal workers is crying foul after Wood Buffalo municipal councillors voted today to reward non-unionized staff overtime during the spring fire evacuation.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees, Alberta Division is upset that management staff will be paid overtime for all time worked over 44 hours per week, while CUPE members had to work up to twelve hours per day at regular pay rates.

CUPE Alberta President Marle Roberts pointed out that the motion passed before council today says unionized employees must be paid according to their collective agreement, which has special provisions for emergency work. According to those provisions, regular overtime rules do not apply, and staff must work up to 12 hours per day at regular wages.

“Council rightly recognizes that municipal staff worked very hard during the fire and evacuation,” said Roberts. “But they are enforcing two sets of rules, one where managers get rewards, while the union staff don’t.”

CUPE bus drivers, who have a different contract, are not bound by the 12-hour rule – although the city tried to enforce it in the middle of the fire.

Roberts said even with the more punitive overtime rates, most CUPE members have not been paid overtime wages for work done in May and June.

“We’ve been repeatedly raising these issues with city managers and we’ve been shut down every time,” said Roberts. “We can’t get any issues resolved, and our members are furious.”

“This is just an additional slap in the face to people who moved heaven and earth during the fire to look after their community.”

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Contact: Marle Roberts, President CUPE Alberta

780.918.3061

 

cope491

Mental health awareness day


January 25, 2017
Local 2157 President Lise Comeau and
Vice President Karli Matthews sit to talk at
Keyano College for mental health awareness day.

Health and Safety Award

Do you know a member who has made a significant contribution in the area of health and safety in Alberta?  If so, we would like to hear from you!

Closing date for nominations: December 31, 2016

Click here for more information.

NOTICE TO MUNICIPAL WORKERS (CUPE 1505) FROM FORT MCMURRAY

Dear Members,

On Monday May 23, 2016, the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo sent out an intent to return to work form to be filled out by all employees with a mandatory form return date of May 27.

The contents of this form have in no way been endorsed by CUPE nor does CUPE condone the form’s intent.  CUPE Local 1505 has been asking numerous questions about this form, but the Employer is being very selective and evasive in answering these questions.

At this time CUPE is advising all members to refer to the re-entry guidelines put out by the Province and the RMWB specifically page 2  outlining those who should not be returning to the area prior to the hospital being re-opened.  If you suffer from any physical or mental health issues that prevent you from returning to Fort McMurray or are currently undergoing treatment we encourage you to obtain a medical certificate from a physician.

Below is a link to a form, developed by CUPE, that you can fill out if you are unable to return to work immediately for any reason and requesting a meeting with Union representation to discuss options with the Employer.

If you have any further questions or concerns please email president@cupe1505.ca.

Click here for the form

 

Dear Local Executive and CUPE Members,

 Re: Relief FUND for CUPE Alberta members  

In light of the devastation caused by wild fires in the Fort McMurray area, CUPE Alberta is creating a Relief Fund to assist CUPE members in Alberta who are affected by this 2016 fire.

All monies collected will go directly to CUPE members, the funds will be split amongst CUPE Alberta members who have lost their homes or who will have to be relocated for an extended period of time.

We are asking locals to donate to the Relief Fund to assist our members in rebuilding their lives and homes, and restore hope for the future.

We are hoping to have all donations into the CUPE Alberta Office asap.   This will enable us to distribute the funds to the affected CUPE members.

Please forward your donation to:

CUPE Alberta Treasurer
ATTN: Relief Fund – Fire
300 – 10235 124 Street
Edmonton AB T5N 1P9

In solidarity,
Marle's signature
Marle Roberts
President, CUPE Alberta

 

Important information for drivers

Renewing Your Provincial Driver’s Licence

fleetAs of April 1, 2016 the Province of Alberta will no longer be mailing out reminders to your home to renew your provincial driver’s licence.

Employees operating employer fleet vehicles or equipment are required to have a valid provincial driver’s licence, as well as an operator’s permit.

 It is the responsibility of employees to ensure that you renew your provincial driver’s licence prior to your birthday expiration date.

Please click the link below to sign up for your free renewal notification via email or text message.

Visit www.e-registry.ca to request a renewal reminder email or text message.

 

April 28 – Day of Mourning

DayofMourning-Banner-01

Every day, workers around the world are injured and killed while trying to earn a living. In Alberta, workplace deaths number in the hundreds per year.

On April 28th we pause to remember those injured and killed while working, and re-commit to improving conditions so further deaths will not occur.

The last year has sadly seen its share of workplace deaths and injuries. However, there is some good news. Alberta has joined other provinces in Canada in protecting agricultural workers under labour and health and safety laws. In the first three months of 2016, WCB Alberta has approved 159 applications for compensation from farmworkers – applications that would have been denied last year.

There is still much more to be done. Workplace deaths are preventable. Please keep working to make our jobs safer.

Click here to find out about April 28 events in your area.

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Make a pledge for parity!

InternationalWomensDay-portraitMarch 8th is International Women’s Day. A day to reflect on our success in building equality for women, and a day to take stock on what issues are next to tackle.

We’ve won some important symbolic victories in the last year – we elected more women to Parliament, and more women to Alberta’s Legislature than ever before.  Canada is proceeding with a much needed inquiry into the thousands of missing and murdered aboriginal women.

But there is still much progress to be made.

IWD was originally called “International Working Women’s Day” when it first happened in 1909, as it was called to remember a strike by members of the International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union.  In that spirit, I want to look at the issues facing working women today.

Canada is still without a national child care plan, something that would make it easier for women to pursue a career and motherhood should they choose to. Child care lifts families out of poverty, as it allows mothers (and all parents) more options to support their families. According to the Globe and Mail, women in Canada make, on average, $8,000 less than men doing an equivalent job.

You can take a small action today – click here to ‘Make a Pledge for Parity’ and be sure to follow-up that pledge with action.