CUPE 411 – November 19, 2020 – General Membership Meeting Notice

Please use the following link to join the meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUvdu2opj4qHdQfDIOsZ5Kjwfe9f9ofuI8u

Good Evening Members,

And so it begins….yesterday we were all made aware that ten schools in our District had a case, or cases, of COVID-19 within each of their respective school families.  Given this latest update we do not want members to panic but we do realize today was undoubtedly stressful for many of you and first and foremost we want all our members to know that your Union is here to provide as much guidance and support as possible.

While the Union continues to receive reports about the lack of protocols being followed (i.e. students visibly presenting symptoms still remaining on site) this is all the more reason that members should be wearing their PPE at all times, not allowing any breaches in their six foot bubbles and perhaps even increasing their hand washing regime.  If members have concerns about protocols not being adhered to then we would encourage you to share those concerns in an email to either your immediate supervisor (i.e. Principal, V.P., or Manager), or if you feel more comfortable approaching your sites Union Health & Safety Rep, that is also an option.

One of the Union’s priorities right now is ensuring that members are protected in the workplace against contracting COVID-19 and if there is an exposure in the workplace that members will not be required to self-isolate because they were adhering to the strict health and safety protocols.    Members are also reminded that you are well within your right to complete the WorkSafe BC 6A form should you feel as though you may have been exposed at your worksite to bodily fluids (i.e. vomit, respiratory droplets, etc.) while performing your work related duties.  By doing this should the worst case scenario arise where there is an exposure in your workplace, and you test positive for COVID-19, there should be no delay in processing your WorkSafe BC claim when you file a Form 6; and the Union does want to know if such a claim is denied.

Another issue that the Union wants to bring clarity to is topics of discussion at the sites Joint Occupational Health and Safety (JOHS) Committee meetings.  After consulting with WorkSafe BC, it has been made clear to the Union that the Employer, or their representative(s), are not permitted to dictate what constitutes a health and safety concern and whether or not it is worthy of discussion at that table.  For example, if a member has raised a concern about excessive workload with their immediate supervisor and it is not addressed to the members satisfaction, then the member has every right to ask that this be added to the JOHS committee meeting Agenda.  It is always preferable that Agenda items are added prior to meetings as this often allows time for information to be gathered so that a fulsome discussion is able to take place at the meeting, however sometimes advance notice is not an option, and just like any other meeting that takes place in this District, Agenda items are always able to be added at the start of the meeting prior to approving the Agenda.  CUPE support staff “burn out”, due to excessive workload as a result of inappropriate staffing levels is a bona fide health and/or safety issue for our members and if members concerns such as this are being denied discussion at the JOHS committee table then the Union wants to hear about this ASAP so we can then have it addressed via the appropriate channels.

Lastly, the Union has been receiving reports that there are practicum students performing bargaining unit work (i.e. duties and responsibilities that our members are required/expected to perform at the worksite), without being mentored by a CUPE member.  The Union is very disappointed to hear that the practice of using practicum students to augment staffing is going on at some of our sites and not only is this a direct violation of the Collective Agreement it is also undermining the Union’s efforts to have more qualified staff in schools supporting students.  We know this is not happening at all locations and we are grateful to those in supervisory roles that respect the work the support staff do in the school system as well as ensuring that the integrity of the practicum program is maintained by insisting those students are always paired with a CUPE member.  Therefore, in an effort to ensure that practicum students are in fact getting the training they need to perform all aspects of the job upon graduation, as well as ensuring our students are receiving the care and support that their parents/guardians are expecting they should be receiving while at school, we are asking members to reach out to an Elected Union Representative should they witness practicum students working without a CUPE member alongside of them.

In Solidarity,

CUPE 411 Executive

Good Afternoon Members,

Please see the joint statement below regarding the Human Rights Complaint that Local 411 filed against the Chilliwack School Board.

“Both the Chilliwack Board of Education, School District #33 (the “Board”) and CUPE Local 411 (the Union) believe that schools and workplaces must be safe and welcoming for all, students and staff alike, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, race, religion or background. The Board and the Union do not condone any conduct that is racist, sexist, transphobic or homophobic, or that discriminates on any other human right ground.

The Board has taken on initiatives to improve the safe learning and working environment for LGBTQ individuals, including painting a rainbow crosswalk in the School District #33 parking lot, censuring discriminatory commentary from a trustee, and committing to provide education workshops for trustees on gender identity, sexual orientation, human rights and anti-discrimination. The Union recognizes these initiatives by the Board and is committed to working with the Board going forward to ensure everyone feels included and respected in a safe learning and working environment while being fully and completely themselves.

The Board and the Union are pleased that, following good faith discussions between them, they have come to a mutually satisfactory resolution of a human rights complaint against the Board by the Union, arising from one trustee’s personal comments, and that that complaint against the Board will not be proceeding further.”

This concludes the Union’s complaint against the Chilliwack School Board, however our complaint against Trustee Neufeld has not yet been resolved and thus will be proceeding as per our legal council.

In Solidarity,

CUPE 411 Executive

CUPE 411 – Expression of Interest – Budget Committee

Dear members,

If you are interested in joining an info session on the Municipal Pension Plan, please use the links below to register for a session. Upon registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

DATES:

Once again, we look forward to receiving your questions/feedback through our survey, and hope you will also join one of our info sessions.

In Solidarity,

CUPE 411 Executive

Good Evening Members,

It has come to the Union’s attention that many sites are not having their E.A.’s replaced when the permanent members are absent.  The Employer has advised the Union that all available casual E.A.’s are being assigned to replace our permanent members on a daily basis, therefore if casual members are not receiving callouts from the replacement desk you are asked to contact the District office to confirm your contact information is correct.  For our permanent members, if you are absent from work and are not being replaced the Union would like to hear from you.  Please feel free to call 604-392-1411 or email, unionoffice@cupe411.ca, and provide us with your name, position, site, hours of work, and date.  Other members have expressed that the lack of casual replacements is posing a threat to members safety, as such this needs to be brought to the attention of the CUPE Health & Safety Rep at your site so that it can be discussed at the monthly Joint Occupational Health & Safety (JOHS) committee meetings where a resolve to those safety concerns can be addressed and the details of which are captured in the meeting minutes.

Members are also expressing concerns over other staff and students showing flu like symptoms while in the workplace.  Our Employer has made it clear that each and every staff member is responsible for doing the “Daily Self-Assessment” prior to entering the workplace, and if you are experiencing symptoms that you would not normally have on either a day to day or annual basis, then you are required to follow the protocols as laid out by the government.  When it comes to students being symptomatic the District’s Safe Work Procedures (see pgs. 3, 8, 22 & 23) are very clear and if these protocols are not being followed then these instances need to be documented and reported on at the JOHS committee meeting, and to the Union.

It is to be expected that as we progress through the school year we are going to see cases of COVID-19 appear in our workplaces; when we hear instances of this it does not mean that members are not expected to report to work.  Unless otherwise directed to do so by Fraser Health, or unless you yourself are experiencing COVID like symptoms, members are expected to report to work.  Your Union is actively advocating on your behalf that should you be required to self-isolate due to an exposure that you are not required to use your “Sick” days unless you are in fact symptomatic.  It is imperative that all members continue to practice physical distancing, good hand hygiene, and wear a face covering whenever the situation dictates.  The protocols that have been put in place are design to protect all staff and students in the workplace; if at anytime members are confused about the expectations or if their personal boundaries are being violated you need to speak up and ask for clarity and insist that your health and well being is protected.

Members are always encouraged to access external supports if they are experiencing emotional stressors in either the workplace or their personal lives.  The FSEAP offers a wide variety of confidential supports and access to this benefit provider is free for all permanent members.  Members who have pre-existing conditions that could be negatively impacted by an exposure to COVID-19 are encouraged to stay connected with their physicians and share any concerns about workplace practices to ensure these do not pose a further threat to their health.

Lastly, the Union just wanted to express a huge “Thank you” to all of our casual members who are currently being called in to various work sites on a daily basis throughout our District.  The challenge of not knowing where you are going and what you are going to be expected to do on a daily basis is not easy on a good day, and now with COVID this has undoubtedly added another layer of stress onto what is already daunting task.  Please know that we appreciate your efforts and wish there was more protections we could offer you as casual and that we continue to advocate on your behalf wherever and whenever we can.

Take care and stay safe everyone…..

In Solidarity,

CUPE 411 Executive

Good Evening Members,

A “Thank you” to all the members that were able to join us yesterday for our General Membership meeting via Zoom, we are definitely getting better at these on-line meetings and we hope that more of you are able to join in at the November meeting.  We are currently working on having on-line access to the meeting minutes for those members that are unable to attend, more information to follow once we have this all set up.

We also want to remind members to please check your personal emails for detailed updates from the Union Executive.  We promise not to inundate you with email correspondence but you can expect to see one or two emails monthly as this is the best way to get lots of information out to the membership all at one time.  In the meantime please take some time to review the latest K-12 Bulletins:

• K-12 Bulletin – FAQ’s No.6
• K-12 Bulletin – No.23 – September 3, 2020
• K-12 Bulletin – No. 24 – September 4, 2020
• K-12 Bulletin – FAQ’s No.7

Two years ago the Union Executive really started to focus on member engagement, part of that included site visits, however, often times our Custodial members were not able to join us, so this year we may look at popping by in the evenings during dinner break for a quick visit just to see how things are going and address any questions or concerns that our custodial members might have.  If this is something we are able to do, we will be sure to share out a schedule once we have the details worked out.

Earlier this year the Executive also decided that promoting CUPE 411 and acknowledging members for the work that they do should also be a priority.  As such the local purchased lanyards for each and every member and we will continue to deliver these out to sites for our members as well as include them in our CUPE 411 Welcome Packages for our Casual members.  The Local has also purchased golf umbrella’s, 3 for each site, for members to use that find themselves outside supervising students in the wet weather.  We will start getting these out to sites in the next week or two and have no doubt they will be put to good use soon enough.

Your Union also feels it important to acknowledge members who have suffered the loss of a loved one, or who are off due to a serious illness/injury.  We are asking for your help in sharing the name(s) of a member that has had a spouse, parent, or child pass away, or is recovering from a surgery or significant illness as we would love to be able to send them a plant along with a note on behalf of the Local.  Please feel free to send us an email at unionoffice@cupe411.ca or call the office at 604-392-1411 with any details you might have.

In Solidarity,

CUPE 411 Executive

CUPE Quarterly – September 2020

In an attempt to keep members informed and engaged with our Local we have created a monthly “CONNECT” newsletter that will be posted on both the Union’s website as well as on our FaceBook page.

This will not be replacing the CUPE “Quarterly” or our CUPE “Quick Facts” but just another communication medium for our members to enjoy.

CUPE Connect Sep 2020

Did you know the Chilliwack School District has their 2020/2021 re-start plan, to include their health & safety protocols, posted on the home page of their website?

Did you know that SD#33 is offering a hybrid learning program to all Elementary and Middle school students?

Did you know that every School District in B.C. has been provided additional funding (August 27th segement) to support remote learning opportunities for students?

The Union encourages members to review all the relevant plans and protocols in order to have a clear understanding of the expectations in the workplace effective immediately.  The K-12 landscape is ever changing at present however if you have questions or concerns about what is currently being proposed we would encourage you to reach out to an elected Union Representative for guidance and support.

The Union will continue to provide regular updates whether they be from local, provincial (K-12 Bulletin – FAQ’s No.5), or national sources.  With so much credible information being shared by various industry professionals we feel members have a right to make their decisions based on ALL the information being presented and not just what one or two special interest groups may be serving up.

FYI:  Members are reminded to check their personal email’s for important updates from the Union.