News

Union credits mayor and council for recent moves to bring multiple services in-house

BURNABY—CUPE 23 has welcomed approximately 50 fitness professionals as new City of Burnaby employees after an overwhelming certification vote in favour of joining the union, confirmed by the Labour Relations Board on March 23.

The new CUPE members are mostly instructors of high-intensity or low-intensity fitness and yoga classes who had previously worked for the City on a contract basis. Some time ago, a small group of instructors challenged the employer as they weren’t being paid the six-per-cent in lieu of vacation they were entitled to after five years of service, under the Employment Standards Act. As a result of their appeal, these workers received their retroactive pay for time served.

When the fitness professionals contacted CUPE 23 at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic last year, the union worked with Parks Director Dave Ellenwood and Mayor Mike Hurley to include these workers in the adjustment agreement reached for all City of Burnaby employees affected by the resulting lay-offs. The agreement made the fitness professionals realize they were being treated better than unorganized workers, so they decided to join CUPE.

“The thing that’s awesome is that all the members are so happy to be part of the union because of the experiences they’ve had outside of the union,” said CUPE 23 President Bruce Campbell. “I can’t wait to negotiate fair wages and good working conditions for these members.”

Although these workers received lay-off notices because of provincial health orders on March 29, added Campbell, CUPE 23 was able to negotiate payment for all scheduled shifts.

The new fitness professionals joining CUPE 23 follow the union’s successful organizing of traffic control (flag workers) and security guards. Campbell acknowledged that having a progressive mayor and council, who have respect for all working people, made a difference in bringing in these new members.

“The City of Burnaby was spending so much on traffic control contractors already, but traffic control was still a problem,” he said. “For both traffic and security, they understood that they’d get better services at lower cost by going in-house.”

CUPE 23 represents more than 2,500 inside and outside workers, foremen, and library employees for the City of Burnaby.

RICHMOND—CUPE 718 has welcomed 56 new members to the Local after a Labour Relations Board certification vote confirmed on March 23. The new members are fitness professionals who work for the Richmond Fitness and Wellness Association.

The new CUPE members, who are existing employees at the Minoru Centre for Active Living and the Watermania fitness centre, include personal trainers, fitness attendants, group land fitness leaders, and aqua fitness leaders.

“We’re excited to welcome these new members to the CUPE family, and we look forward to representing them,” said CUPE 718 President Dal Benning, noting that the work of fitness professionals is highly certified and instructors must be registered with their professional associations.

“The work they do to help members of the community maintain and improve their health is so important during these difficult times, and we expect to see more of them join us in the near future as programs start up again.”

CUPE 718 represents 1,300 municipal employees for the City of Richmond. These members work at City Hall and at local community centres, arenas, the cultural centre and the museum, as well as in public works and for the RCMP.

CUPE 374 welcomed 9 new members from BC Healthy Communities Society (BCHC) following a Labour Board representation vote that was certified on February 24. This new group of members includes planners, public health specialists and community engagement practitioners who help communities make planning decisions from a public health vantage point and through an equity lens.

“CUPE 374 is really pleased to welcome these workers who provide important community services at BCHC,” said CUPE 374 President Shireen Clark who notes that they will be a good fit as the local also represents two other community services groups. “We look forward to working with our newest members as they secure a first collective agreement and ensure a fair workplace.”

CUPE 374 now represents over 1000 municipal workers in 7 different municipalities and 3 community services groups throughout the Victoria region. BCHC is a not-for-profit agency that provides support, expertise and resources for health authorities, local governments and other key stakeholders in communities throughout B.C.

BC SPCA workers at the Education and Adoption Centre and at the Good Shepherd Barn voted to join CUPE 1622 in a Labour Board vote counted on January 27. The two groups work at the same location but in different facilities.

“This will allow us to bring in and help more animals,” said CUPE 1622 President Rhonda Ott. “I’m excited that these workers are joining us.” Ott explained that many workers at the BC SPCA had worked at the previous Surrey SPCA unionized site, but the contract was not renewed. Years later, the BC SPCA re-opened in a different location.

Ott pointed out that the work is often challenging, as workers deal with animals that have been removed because of cruelty or abuse.

“Our members are committed to protecting and improving the quality of life of domestic and farm animals,” said Ott.

CUPE Local 1622 welcomes nine members from the adoption centre who work with small animals and cats, and four members who work at the barn with livestock including horses, sheep, lamas and fowl. They all work with abused, injured and neglected animals providing urgent care, rehabilitation and adopting them to new guardians who provide a safe and healthy home.

CUPE 1622 represents approximately 115 unionized SPCA workers in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley.