The BC Federation of Labour had their 60th Convention from November 21 to 25, 2022.

Our Local was able to send three delegates, Matt Kohanik, Kari Miller and Cody Beyer, from the Executive and all came back feeling the experience was engaging, eye-opening, and filled them with a renewed sense of purpose for the labour movement.

This opportunity also allowed our delegates to engage other Union activists from various sectors here in BC as making connections across industry to find common goals is so very important when advocating for change or best practice.

Our delegates provided detailed reports on their convention experience and also had resource materials to share with anyone interested:

Workers Front and Centre

In Solidarity

The EA Hours committee, that supports EA’s for both Special Needs and Alternate Education, identified another initiative, in the form of mentorship that we felt may be of value to some of our members and as such we are looking to launch a trial mentor/mentee program from January to June of 2023.

In our discussion we discovered that Student Services was also interested in assisting in this project for their Child & Youth Care Workers and the Indigenous Education Department would also like to support their Ab.Ed.- EA’s by way of mentorship opportunities.

We didn’t want to leave out our Clerical members from this so the Clerical Hours Committee will also be looking for interested members to take part in providing guidance and leadership to our new office staff.

We have created application forms:

• Mentorship Application
• Mentee Application

Completed applications must be emailed to mentorship-supportstaff@sd33.bc.ca no later than (date extended to November 30, 2022), in order to be considered for this program and participants will be compensated for any pre-scheduled training and pre-planned meeting times.

If you feel you would be a good fit for either role, we would love to offer you this opportunity to share your knowledge and skills or learn from our seasoned veterans.

November 11th marks a day of collective remembrance for those who have fallen in the line of duty and service to their country. Therefore, we ask that no matter where you are on the 11th hour of this 11th day in the 11th month you allow yourself two minutes of silence to honour the bravery and sacrifices given by so many in hopes of securing a future of freedom for generations to come.

To our wreath bearers today, Matt Kohanik (2nd V.P.) and D’Laine Gallagher (Trustee) we “Thank you” for representing CUPE 411 at our two local cenotaphs in commemoration and gratitude for the heroism of those warriors that put service before self.  We hope that other members and their families are able to join and bear witness in these ceremonies that allow us to recall the past in hopes of creating a better future……

“Cowards die many times before their deaths; the valiant never taste death but once.” William Shakespeare

In Solidarity,

CUPE 411 Executive

On November 3rd our Union received an update from the K-12 President’s Council with a, Message of Solidarity to Ontario Education Workers.

Today an update came by way of CUPE National’s website informing us that Premier Ford has committed to repealing Bill 28 and head back to the bargaining table.

While today’s decision may be seen as a victory by some, the road ahead is still long but one thing is for certain anytime a government, or their agent, attempts to take away or limit our rights and/or freedoms so as to impose their will on us, standing up and speaking out must be our initial reaction and response!

Union Solidarity can be an amazing thing; when we stand united on the issues that matter the most, we are certain to have successes…..

In light of yesterday’s ribbon cutting ceremony at Chilliwack’s newest K-8 Elementary/Middle school, Stito:s La:lem Toti:lt, the Union wanted to make sure that our K-12 support staff were acknowledged for their efforts to ensure that the site would be ready for the start of a new school year on September 6, 2022.

Our Transportation Department members had a daunting task ahead of them to not only incorporate new runs and modify existing ones into already busy AM and PM routes but then to had to schedule all the new bussing students for this site.

Our Clerical members know all too well what a regular school start up can look like, but that workload increases two-fold when it comes to preparing for a new start in a new school and most likely won’t slow down for some time; if at all?

Members from the Maintenance Department, Grounds Crew and Tradespeople as well as our IT Professionals have been an integral part in ensuring the classrooms and surrounding spaces would be ready for staff and students.

A wide range of members from our Assistants Division competed for positions at the school, all excited to work in this unique and one-of-a-kind learning environment here in Chilliwack.

And last but not least, the members from our Custodial Division put in long hours on their long weekend to make sure all the spaces would be clean and ready to welcome staff, students and guests that first day.

Yes, it takes a village, and we are so very proud of our K-12 Support Staff family for their hard work and commitment to their professions that we would be remised to not give them a very heartfelt “Thank You” in this latest SD33 endeavour.

Sincerely and In Solidarity,

CUPE 411 Executive

2022 General Local Elections – October 15, 2022

This will be the final opportunity for residents to cast their votes for local governments across this province.  For Chilliwack and the surrounding areas, the following residents may find themselves voting to elect some of the following:

• Mayor and Council
• Electoral Area Directors
• Parks Board Commissioners
• School Board Trustees

The latter, School Board Trustees, being of significant importance to all members of the K-12 Support Staff here in School District No.33 (Chilliwack).  Our Local does not provide direction or influence on who members should vote for.  However, we encourage all members to get-out and vote as is your democratic right to do so and we also believe members should be making informed decisions when they exercise their voting rights.  The Union reached out to each candidate and asked them to provide a one-page bio on who they are and what they stand for.  Below you will find the list of candidates (in alpha order by last name), if they have provided the Union with information you can click on their name, and you will be redirected to their submission.

• Carin Bondar
• Friessen, Elliott
• Furgason, Darrell
• Kaethe Jones
• Maahs, Heather
• Nelmes, Greg
• Neufeld, Barry L.
• Ollinger, Darren
• Process, Richard
• Reichelt, Willow
• Reid, Margaret
• Swankey, David
• VanGarderen, Brian
• Westerby, Teri

There were two Debates held with the candidates and if you did not get an opportunity to be present for these events, please feel free to use the links below to access the live recordings:

• 2022 Chilliwack School Board ALL-Candidates DEBATE #1 – YouTube
• 2022 Chilliwack School Board ALL-Candidates DEBATE #2 – YouTube

For those of you who may not be aware of the voting dates/times/locations please see details below:

In Solidarity,

CUPE 411 Executive

While members take today to discuss and reflect on Truth and Reconciliation we wanted to also take the time to advise you what School District No.33 (Chilliwack) is planning in the spirit of this process.

There will be two of the same on-line sessions held this fall, October 5th starting at 2:30pm and October 12th starting at 3:15pm.  The basis for these sessions is two-fold, in part the calls to action items 62 (i) and 63 (i-iv) as well as themes that were identified in last year’s Equity Scan. There will be two of the same follow-ups in the spring, tied to these fall sessions, and the focus will be on Trauma Informed Practices.

Mr. Kevin Lamoureux will provide a video presentation, followed by the leaders within our Indigenous Education Department speaking to the nine BIG themes, the session will also include a look at language, local dynamics and an exercise on individual reflection.

Are these sessions mandatory for CUPE members, “No”, these sessions are considered part of the Chilliwack Teacher’s Association contractual requirement that speaks to staff meetings. However, in the spirit of creating an inclusive environment CUPE members have been extended the opportunity to take part in these sessions not on their own time, but on work time (using LIF).  If you are unable to participate we suggest you advise your supervisor that for personal reasons you cannot attend and leave it at that.  The Union recognizes that many members have second jobs, family, or other obligations outside of their regular working day with SD33 that does not allow for deviation from their regular schedules and we want to make sure that is respected.

If you have any other questions or concerns regarding these sessions please reach out to an elected Union Representative for assistance.

In Solidarity

On Wednesday, September 22, 2022 our K-12 President’s Council approved to recommend the tentative Provincial Framework Agreement that was presented to them by the CUPE K-12 Bargaining committee.

K-12 Provincial Bargaining – Bulletin – September 23, 2022

The CUPE 411 Bargaining Committee will commence local bargaining with our Employer on October 11, 2022 and we will continue to update members on how negotiations progress.

There has also been a commitment to increase Learning Improvement Funds for the 2023/2024 from 20 million to 25 million and this will carry forward to the 2024/2025 school year.  While the Employer is still required to have genuine consultation with the Union on how these monies will be allocated within each District.  There is a caveat now that requires sign-off by the Union on the allocation of those funds in order for the District to gain access to them.