CAMIC encourages all CUPE members to mark Red Dress Day

hmanek Uncategorized

May 5th is Red Dress Day also known as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People. The day serves to raise awareness and honour the memory of Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit people who have gone missing or have been murdered in Canada. The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People crisis in Canada refers to the disproportionately high rates of violence, disappearance, and murder among Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people. The crisis has been ongoing for decades and is a direct result of systemic racism, colonialism, and gender-based violence.

The CUPE Atlantic Maritime Indigenous Council (CAMIC) encourages all CUPE members to use this day as an opportunity to either attend an awareness community event or to read the final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls: Home Page  Final Report | MMIWG (mmiwgffada.ca). Taking time to educate ourselves can lead to a better understanding of the challenges faced by Indigenous people in Canada and across the globe, and help non-Indigenous individuals become more effective allies.   

People are also encouraged to wear a red dress, display red dresses in public spaces and workplaces, support local Indigenous artists that make Red Dress items such as earrings and pins, or simply wearing any red item that can bring awareness to the issue.

Join us in remembering and supporting Indigenous communities today and everyday.

For inquiries or questions, please email: cupe.atl.mar.indigenous.council@gmail.com.

In Solidarity,
CAMIC members,
Brandice Blanchard, Vice-Chair for the CUPE Atlantic Maritime Indigenous Council

Download a copy of this letter: ENGLISH or FRANÇAIS

Ashley Clark, CUPE Prince Edward Island President
Stephen Drost, CUPE New Brunswick President
Nan McFadgen, CUPE Nova Scotia President
Sherry Hillier, CUPE Newfoundland Labrador President
Marc Surette, Local 1078
Jody MacDonald, Local 1122 Sonia Gibbs, Local 2745
Janice Melanson, Local 2079
Jason St-Onge, NBCNHUJill Greene, Local 2162
Tammy Devault, Local 1303
Cindy Lavoie, Local 889
Nicole LeBlanc, Local 833
Lorn Martin, Local 4882
Vicky Nadeau, Local 2872
Jinny Boulet, Local 2872
Sylvie Godbout, Local 3013
Sylvie Levesque, Local 3013
Annick LeBel, Local 889
Stéphane LeBlanc, Local 1159
Jennifer Barton, Local 3013
Mélanie M. Albert, Local 2872
Carole Martin, Local 2872
Chantal Lavoie, Local 4630
France Ruest, Local 4630
Natalie Poirier, Local 1159
Shirley Basque, Local 1078
Noreen Allain, Local 1078
Cassandra Ackerson, Local 1418
Jenny G. Thériault, Local 1418
Jackie Parish, Local 908.1
Tanya Murray, Local 908.1
Nicole Chiasson, Local 908.1
Réal Allain, Local 1078
Nicole Allain, Local 1078
Barbara MacNaughton, Local 1418
Guylaine Caron, Local 2745
Lisa Bell, Local 908.6
Sonny Levasseur, Local 2745
Terry Rodger, Local 1062
Manon Francoeur, Local 5108
Yvonne Morneault, Local 5108
Jacqueline Nieuwets-Lagendijk, Local 2745
Ginette Gauvin, Local 2745
Lisa Cameron, Local 2745
Hope Cyr, Local 5446
Marie-Line Côté Duguay, Local 2745
Christianne Robichaud, Local 2745
Shelley Veysey, Local 2745
Marilyn MacCormack, Local 2745
Jan Underhill, Local 2745
Rachel Chiasson, Local 833
Mélissa G. Drapeau, Local 2745
Sharon Teare, Local 2116
Tiffany Doucet, Local 506
Jamie Agnew, Local 963
Lisa Vincent, Local 963
Joanne Desrosiers, Local 1418
Annie Mallet, Local 1418
Jannick Laforest, Local 1418
Tasha Palmer, Local 1506
Stephen Boyd, Local 550
Andrew Mercuri, Local 1418
Laura Stewart, Local 4919
Tammy Gorton, Local 4940
Eileen Shea, Local 2094
Jess Haley, Local 1431
Janet MacDonald, Local 1082
Dawn Vardy, Local 1259
Tammy Jakeman, Local 5047
Edwina Donovan, Local 1082
Cecia Huang, Local 1870
Kathy Johnson, Local 5446
Crystal Pascon, Local 2464
Shawna Morton, Local 1418
Kim Davidson, Local 861

Mark your calendars for the CUPE Atlantic Weeklong School

hmanek Education, Uncategorized

The CUPE Atlantic Weeklong School will be taking place at the start of November this year at Whitepoint Beach Resort in Hunt’s Point, Nova Scotia. Additional details to follow, please save the date and stay tuned for more information!

Learn more about union education with CUPE at: cupe.ca/union-education

Join Our Upcoming Union Education Courses!

tjohnston Uncategorized

Have you been thinking about getting more involved with CUPE but haven’t been sure where to start?

Have you been involved for years but want to sharpen your skills or get a quick refresh?

We have classes for you! CUPE is running six classes for CUPE NL members in April. They’re open to all CUPE NL members so register today!

April 9 – St. John’s Area Office – Leading as a Team – 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
https://cupe.ca/mrm-union-education/event/7421

April 10 – Online – Introduction to Stewarding (Part 1) – 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
https://cupe.ca/mrm-union-education/event/7557

April 11 – St. John’s Area Office – Conflict Ready Executives – 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
https://cupe.ca/mrm-union-education/event/7422

April 13 – St. John’s Area Office – Financial Essentials – 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
https://cupe.ca/mrm-union-education/event/7548

April 14 – St. John’s Area Office – Financial Officers – 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
https://cupe.ca/mrm-union-education/event/7549

April 17 – Online – Introduction to Stewarding (Part 2) – 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
https://cupe.ca/mrm-union-education/event/7560

Government spending should be on public services, not private companies

tjohnston News Release

CUPE Newfoundland and Labrador is pleased to see increased spending in health care, public housing, and the cost of living; however, it is pivotal that this money be invested in strengthening and expanding our already existing public services and not on lining the pockets of private companies.

“This new budget saw increased spending in the health care system that is desperately needed; however, there is more to health care than doctors and nurses. Our system cannot function without the thousands of people working behind the scenes and alongside our doctors and nurses, and the government needs to invest in them too,” said CUPE Newfoundland and Labrador President Sherry Hillier.

The Furey government’s budget focuses entirely on hiring nurses and physicians, dedicating millions of dollars to recruitment and training of nurses. However, health care professionals, such as personal care attendants, are once again left behind despite the ever-expanding list of duties undertaken in an effort to fill gaps left by understaffing.

“The solution to the housing crisis impacting our province isn’t giving money to private businesses to build more rental properties that will just end up priced at ‘market value.’ Just this month in B.C., we saw the results of this type of plan with tiny, 330 square foot apartments going for over $1,600. That’s not affordable to anyone and we can’t let that happen here too,” said Hillier. “We need expanded public housing built and maintained by the public sector. Our tax dollars shouldn’t be going to line the pockets of private investors looking to make a profit off our housing crisis.”

The Federal Apartment Construction Loan Program, much like the Rental Housing Development Loan Program announced by the Furey government in this budget, aimed to encourage private developers to build more affordable housing. Though it did result in more units being built, their pricing was determined by the current rental market, making them largely unaffordable to those who need homes.

The Furey government’s announcement to integrate Newfoundland and Labrador Housing into core government does not ease these concerns. While Housing Minister Hutton says there will be no job losses or reductions as a result of the integration, we have little information at this point to reassure CUPE NL members whose jobs are impacted by this decision.

“Housing relief is greatly needed in Newfoundland and Labrador, but bringing the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation under government control is not the solution we were hoping for as they have a history of contracting out the work of our members. We want to see the expansion of public housing that is publicly funded and maintained, not private corporations offering housing that is subsidized by public money. We will work with the NL government to ensure that the money promised in this year’s budget is used to bolster public services, not cut them.”

CUPE NL will not cross a protest line to hear the provincial budget

tjohnston News Release

As a sign of respect to the fish harvesters currently gathered outside the Confederation Building, CUPE Newfoundland and Labrador will not be crossing their protest line to attend any budget announcements or lockups. Instead, CUPE Newfoundland and Labrador will attend an alternate budget watch hosted by the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour.

“Every year, CUPE Newfoundland and Labrador attends the budget lockup so that we can be informed on the government’s spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year, but not this year,” said CUPE Newfoundland and Labrador President Sherry Hillier. “As long as the fish harvesters are gathered outside the Confederation Building in protest, we will not cross their protest line. As union activists, it’s our duty to show solidarity with fellow workers.”

The fish harvesters have expressed their frustrations with how local fisheries process fishing licenses and have called on the government to resolve the issue. Today, they gathered in protest to express their dissatisfaction in the lack of action taken by the provincial government thus far.

CUPE Newfoundland and Labrador hopes to hear that the Furey government is taking the protests seriously and begins addressing the concerns of the workers and their union rather than just forcing out the protesters or rescheduling the budget to another day.

“Pack the Pub” Event for the Community Food Sharing Association a Success

tjohnston Uncategorized

CUPE Newfoundland and Labrador was happy to see such an amazing turnout for VOCM Cares’ Pack the Pub event over the weekend that raised money for the Community Food Sharing Association. As a sponsor of the event, we are thrilled that so many families will now have access to more support in their time of need. For anyone who was unable to attend or would like to offer a new donation, VOCM Cares is accepting donations through the end of the week at https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/98254.

50th Annual CUPE NL Convention

tjohnston Uncategorized

CUPE NL invites all locals to join them at the Delta Hotel, St. John’s on May 5st-8rd, 2024 for their 50th annual convention.

Registration will be held on Sunday, May 5th at 4:00 p.m. at the Delta Hotel. Locals are requested to make their own reservations, but a block of rooms, named “CUPE,” will be held for delegates at a rate of $149.00 plus taxes per night.

To send delegates, locals must have their per capita to CUPE National and CUPE NL up to and including April 2024.

For more information, please see the full Convention Call available for download here.

Release: Provincial government must keep public services public in new 10-year education plan

tjohnston Education, News Release

CUPE Newfoundland & Labrador welcomes the provincial government’s announcement of a 10-year plan to modernize and improve the province’s education system.

“We look forward to working with the employer to develop a plan that will improve public education across the province that values our members working in this sector, and that will keep public education public,” said CUPE NL President Sherry Hillier.

“In the past four years, the Furey administration has continued to push public-private partnerships across the province. This government has tried to contract out much of our current public service work, targeting hospitals, housing, and even snow removal in our towns, and we don’t want that to affect our schools more than it already has. The children of Newfoundland and Labrador deserve an education system that prioritizes their learning, not profit.”

CUPE NL is prepared to fight for a high-quality, public education system for our members, and for the people of Newfoundland & Labrador. They will be holding town halls with members across the province to ensure that this plan incorporates the expert knowledge of those working in education and reflects the issues and concerns that are important to CUPE NL members.

CUPE NL logo

Higgins Insurance Offers CUPE NL Members a Discount

tjohnston Uncategorized

 

A message from Higgins Insurance:

As a member of CUPE Newfoundland and Labrador, you can get a 15% or more discount on your home and auto insurance if you switch to Higgins Insurance. There has never been a better time to get a quote, because our 7th annual Sweepstakes is underway. Several people have already won a prize, and we have many more to give away! You could win an Atlantic Canada long weekend getaway, a grocery gift card, or an annual CAA membership (to help you save on gas!)

Entering is simple, just fill out our quick form and a broker will be in touch as your renewal dates approach with a quote!

Click here to Enter and Save

We have been proudly servicing members within Atlantic Canada for 30 years, and we want to thank you all for your trust and support.

Look forward to hearing from you. Good luck!

CUPE Atlantic Education Workshops

gmcneil Uncategorized

If you are a member of a local executive these FREE workshops are for you! Register soon as there is significant demand for CUPE workshops.

Health and Safety—An Introduction

November 4–5, 2023

An introduction to the world of health and safety, this course explores basic concepts such as:
• identification of hazards;
• hierarchy of controls;
• the role of health and safety committees;
• basics on the right to refuse.

REGISTRATION LINK: https://cupe.ca/mrm-union-education/event/6831
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Oct 31, 2023
LOCATION: CUPE St. John’s Area Office

Introduction to CUPE (online)

November 18, 2023 9:00am-12:00pm (NL)

In this workshop you will:
• explore union values;
• learn about CUPE’s structure;
• find out how unions solve problems ;
• gain skills that will help you play a stronger role in your CUPE local.

REGISTRATION LINK: https://cupe.ca/mrm-union-education/event/6961
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Nov 15, 2023
LOCATION: Online

Financial Essentials

November 25-26, 2023

Whether you are a trustee or a member of the executive, learning about the basics of the local union’s finances is a priority. In this workshop, you will learn about your duties regarding the finances of the union, budgeting and how to be transparent and accountable to members.

REGISTRATION LINK: https://cupe.ca/mrm-union-education/event/6957
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Nov 17, 2023
LOCATION: Glynmill Inn, Corner Brook

Introduction to Stewarding

November 25-26, 2023

If you are a new steward and want to learn how to help CUPE members solve workplace problems, this introductory workshop is for you!

In this workshop, you will learn:
• investigating workplace problems;
• filing a grievance;
• meeting with management;
• dealing with workplace complaints.

REGISTRATION LINK: https://cupe.ca/mrm-union-education/event/6959
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Nov 17, 2023
LOCATION: Glynmill Inn, Corner Brook