CUPE flags, pink and white

Tentative deal reached between CUPE and Newfoundland and Labrador government to extend collective agreements

creynolds Collective Bargaining, News Release

CUPE flags, pink and white

A tentative deal has been reached between the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador for a two-year extension of current collective agreements. The extended agreements cover the period from April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2022.

CUPE’s bargaining committee members, representing seven sectoral groups, agreed to accept the tentative agreement extension this week. Each of the local unions involved in master bargaining with the Province will now prepare to take the agreement to a vote by members covered by the contract.

No details will be released until both the union and the Province have ratified the agreement.

CUPE NL President Sherry Hillier says, “We will be recommending the extended agreement to our members, who will be notified about upcoming ratification voting dates for their locals in the near future.”

Hillier says, “I would also like to thank the members of our bargaining committees and CUPE’s staff representatives for all their hard work. I would also like to thank our members for their solidarity and for their support of CUPE’s bargaining committee.”

CUPE represents approximately 3,700 provincial public service employees who work in health care, long term care, NL Housing, school boards, libraries, Treasury Board and Government House, as well as transition houses and group homes.

3M counterfeit mask lot B20020

Counterfeit N95 respirators: a message to CUPE members working in Acute Care

creynolds COVID-19 Announcements, Occupational Health & Safety

3M counterfeit mask lot B20020

In a meeting held today with the Department of Health and Community Services, we were notified that regional health authorities in Newfoundland and Labrador recently discovered counterfeit N95 respirators in their inventory. Immediate steps were taken by the RHAs to remove the counterfeit masks and, at this time, only a small number are unaccounted for.

In addition to CUPE, representatives from all regional health authorities and other health care sector unions were in attendance.

It is not yet known if the missing counterfeit masks will be located or if they have been used, but the RHAs are investigating and will continue to update us on their progress.

The affected masks are a 3M 1860 particulate respirator with the lot  number B20020. If you have used or are aware of the location of any of these respirators, please inform your supervisor immediately. If a member has used one of the counterfeit masks, it may not have provided the expected level of protection to airborne respiratory hazards.

Occupational Health Services at each of the RHAs will be following up with workers on any potential exposures that may have resulted, and they will directly contact anyone affected.

In solidarity,

Sherry Hillier
CUPE NL President

Jenna Brookfield
CUPE National Health and Safety Representative

Male health care worker wearing a lab coat giving a female health care worker a vaccination in her arm. Both are wearing medical masks.

COVID-19 vaccine: protection for frontline workers

creynolds COVID-19 Fact Sheets, Occupational Health & Safety

Male health care worker wearing a lab coat giving a female health care worker a vaccination in her arm. Both are wearing medical masks.

CUPE NL is encouraged by news of the imminent arrival of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine and the news that health care workers, particularly those in long term care or positions with potential for exposure to COVID-19. This is an important development for the health and safety of our members across the province.

Our members providing front line health services have been working under the most difficult conditions as they strive to provide quality care to those in need and they deserve safe working conditions.

CUPE NL encourages all of our members to avail themselves of the vaccine(s) when it is made available to them as COVID-19 will remain a threat to the health and safety of our workplaces for the foreseeable future.

While this vaccine was developed quickly compared to others, its success is due to the diligent work of countless researchers and health professions. CUPE has been monitoring published literature and regulatory processes and is confident in Health Canada’s assessment and approval process for vaccines.

Members who are interested in more information on how vaccines are developed and approved for use in Canada can find more here: canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/covid19-industry/drugs-vaccines-treatments/vaccines/development-approval-infographic.html 

Screenshot of the video: CUPE NL holiday greetings on NTV

Holiday greetings – Thank you public service workers on the frontlines

creynolds Article

Watch our holiday greeting on NTV, airing from December 14 until the end of the month. Presented by Sherry Hillier on behalf of the 6,300 members of CUPE Newfoundland Labrador.

To CUPE members and all public service workers on the frontlines we say thank you for your commitment to providing the quality public services we all depend on.

On behalf of CUPE members, I would like to wish you the best this holiday season!

Close up photo of Santa Claus' hand and arm, writing a "nice" list with cookies, milk, lights and a tree in background

Santa Calls radio program for children – Sponsored by CUPE Newfoundland Labrador

creynolds Article

Close up photo of Santa Claus' hand and arm, writing a "nice" list with cookies, milk, lights and a tree in background

CUPE Newfoundland Labrador is happy to continue our association with the annual “Santa Calls” radio program for children as the exclusive sponsor. The program is airing on all VOCM stations province-wide. Children have the opportunity to talk to Santa Claus throughout the holidays from December 7 to 18.

709-570-1179

If you know a child that would like to speak to Santa, please call 709-570-1179. “If Santa doesn’t answer—as his workshop is extremely busy this year—you can leave him a voice message.”

Santa Calls airs weekdays on VOCM at 6 p.m. Click this link to listen to VOCM radio: https://vocm.com.

Children can call the “Santa line” to leave their telephone number and they’ll receive a call back from Santa who will ask them what they want for Christmas. Calls come from all over the province including Labrador, Central Newfoundland, West Coast, South Coast, and the Avalon Peninsula.

Web banner depicting public services: water treatment, road construction, train and more.

Asking the right questions: A guide for municipalities considering P3s

creynolds Article, Privatization

Cover page for the guide, Asking the right questions: A guide for municipalities considering P3s. Photo of road construction.This newly-updated second edition of Asking the right questions is co-authored by the late John Loxley and his son, researcher Salim Loxley.

The guide reviews the latest evidence and experiences from across Canada and around the world, taking a critical look at the case for and against using public-private partnerships (P3s) for municipal infrastructure. This online text is adapted from the print version of the guide.

Through a series of questions, the authors outline the problems that accompany infrastructure and service privatization, and highlight the value of keeping vital assets and services public.

Their analysis goes beyond the claims made by P3 promoters to examine the costs and consequences of privatizing community assets.

With ongoing financial and political pressure on municipalities to use P3s, including from the Canada Infrastructure Bank, this guide is a timely resource that answers key questions about financing and delivering infrastructure projects.

With this guide, municipal councillors and civic officials will be able to ask the right questions before considering entering into a P3.

The second edition of Asking the right questions was completed just before Dr. Loxley died unexpectedly on July 28, 2020. This guide is part of his legacy of a life dedicated to research and policy that advances social justice.

Order print copies
Download the guide
Photo of a chalkboard with the word pension written on it.

Member Update: Public sector pensions successfully defended from threat of clawbacks

creynolds Article, Collective Bargaining

Photo of a chalkboard with the word pension written on it.Dear CUPE members:

We are pleased to inform our members that – with your support – we have successfully defended your pensions from the threat of clawbacks made by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador! The Government’s proposed changes to the Public Sector Pension Plan (PSPP) were defeated.

Government was trying to pass their increased Canada Pension Plan (CPP) contributions onto workers by cutting the PSPP as part of their extended contract offer. This move would have cancelled the needed CPP enhancement for 34,000 workers – including CUPE members who are plan members of the PSPP. Read more about the pension issue here.

The unions presented their position to the government side of the Sponsor Board, with the recommendation that debate cease on the topic. The government side of the board agreed, and the matter is now closed.

The pension clawback that Government wanted us to accept has impeded our progress toward securing a fairly negotiated collective agreement. Now that the pension question has been put to rest, we anticipate that we will be able to move towards concluding contract negotiations. We will keep you informed of any developments in master negotiations.

Please share this important news with your members as soon as possible.

In solidarity,

Ed White 
Lead Negotiator, CUPE NL

Tracey Pinder
Atlantic Regional Director, CUPE

Web banner. OCHU study - Sacrificed: major study of health care workers during the time of COVID. Image of a male and a female health care worker wearing scrubs and a face mask.

Academic study finds Ontario health care staff worked under psychological distress in pandemic, feeling “sacrificed” and violated

creynolds Article, Occupational Health & Safety

On November 24, 2020, a study entitled “Sacrificed: major study of health care workers during the time of COVID” was released by the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions-Canadian Union of Public Employees (OCHU-CUPE). The study was published in New Solutions: A Journal of Environmental and Occupational Health Policy.

The research was done in collaboration with OCHU-CUPE, based on extensive interviews with 10 health care workers. The study interviews were supplemented by a poll conducted by OCHU-CUPE involving 3,000 members about their concerns regarding personal protection. About 91 per cent of those polled said they felt the government had abandoned them.

Web banner. OCHU study - Sacrificed: major study of health care workers during the time of COVID. Image of a male and a female health care worker wearing scrubs and a face mask.Download a copy of the study at: https://ochu.on.ca/2020/11/24/sacrificed-major-study-of-health-care-workers-during-the-time-of-covid 

Healthcare workers (HCWs) in Ontario, Canada have faced unprecedented risks during the COVID-19 pandemic. They have been infected at an elevated rate compared to the general public.

HCWs have argued for better protections with minimal success. A worldwide shortage of N95s and comparable respirators appears to have influenced guidelines for protection, which stand at odds with increasing scientific evidence.

In-depth interviews were conducted with ten frontline HCWs about their concerns. They reported that the risk of contracting COVID-19 and infecting family members has created intense anxiety. This, in conjunction with understaffing and an increased workload, has resulted in exhaustion and burnout.

The research sheds light on how the systemic weaknesses in Ontario’s health system adversely impacted nurses, personal support workers (PSWs), cleaners and other front-line health care workers in COVID-19 wave one. Co-author Michael Hurley says that “the study findings lead to important recommendations:”

  • Raising staffing levels in hospitals and in long term care
  • Legislated protection to allow staff to speak out about conditions at work without reprisal
  • The urgent need to rebuild a regulatory system that has failed health care workers
  • Providing access to the protective equipment staff require to be safe
  • Greater support from management and access to mental health supports

HCWs feel abandoned by their governments, which failed to prepare for an inevitable epidemic, despite recommendations. The knowledge that they are at increased risk of infection due to lack of protection has resulted in anger, frustration, fear, and a sense of violation that may have long-lasting implications.

Download a copy of the study at: https://ochu.on.ca/2020/11/24/sacrificed-major-study-of-health-care-workers-during-the-time-of-covid

Dr. James Brophy and Dr. Margaret Keith, academic researchers affiliated with the University of Windsor led the in-depth, investigative study on health care workers’ experiences in Ontario’s hospitals and long-term care homes.

Web banner: Call to participate in the development of a National Anti-Racism Strategy for CUPE

Call to participate in the development of a National Anti-Racism Strategy for CUPE

creynolds Article, Event

Web banner: Call to participate in the development of a National Anti-Racism Strategy for CUPEPlease join us for a virtual session that is being hosted for Black, Indigenous, and racialized members in the Atlantic and Maritimes regions to participate in the development of a National Anti-Racism Strategy for CUPE.

CUPE National’s Human Rights Branch and Union Education Branch are hosting these Zoom meetings in regions across the country.

History

The National Committee on Anti-Racism, Discrimination and Employment Equity, also known as the National Rainbow Committee, drafted a resolution calling for CUPE to develop a National Anti-Racism Strategy. The resolution was unanimously adopted at the 2019 CUPE National Convention in October 2019. This Strategy is meant to build on and replace CUPE’s 1999 Anti- Racism Policy.

Purpose

It is important to hear from you as this Strategy is developed. You are invited to share your thoughts on CUPE’s ongoing and future anti-racism work which will be outlined in the Anti- Racism Strategy. The sessions will be structured to welcome you into a safe and comfortable space. All feedback and recommendations harvested throughout the consultations will help inform the strategy.

What is a National Anti-Racism Strategy?

This strategy will be a framework for the coming years that guides CUPE National in the actions we take regarding anti-racism work across our members’ workplaces, our union and our communities. The Anti-Racism Strategy will be presented at CUPE National’s Convention in 2021.

Reflection

If you have the time to review the following questions in advance, please feel free to explore:

  • What do we want to achieve through this strategy?
  • What would success look like? (How can we aim for a 10/10)?)
  • Where do you think that we are now?
  • What are the challenges, issues and barriers?
  • What are the opportunities for anti-racism work?

Date and time

As we come together to inform this process, we humbly request your voice, your presence, and your lived experience for a three-hour consultation.

Monday, November 23

6:00 p.m. Atlantic
6:30 p.m. Newfoundland and Labrador

Please RSVP by November 13 to antiracism@cupe.ca if you would like to register for this event.

Note that space is limited and priority will be given in order of RSVPs received.