PAL Airlines and CUPE reach first collective agreement

creynolds Collective Bargaining, News Release

Members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and PAL Airlines have ratified their first collective agreement, after two years of bargaining. Approximately 50 flight attendants who work for the airline in St. John’s, Halifax and Montréal are represented by CUPE 5451.

The new three-year agreement will be in place from 2022 to 2025, and includes improvements to provisions regarding holiday pay, improvements to scheduling, as well as a new pay system to be implemented based on industry standard.

“COVID-19 travel restrictions made negotiations a long and challenging process, but we were able to reach an agreement that is beneficial to both our members and the airline,” said CUPE 5451 President Courtney Decker. “Our members are proud to provide safe travel to passengers throughout the pandemic, and we look forward to doing so in the future.”

“PAL Airlines is happy to reach this initial agreement with our flight attendant group and sincerely appreciates the collaborative approach to collective bargaining respected by all parties to this negotiation,” said Calvin Ash, president of PAL Airlines. “We’re thrilled to solidify the future of these vital employees and support their continued delivery of the safe, friendly in-flight services that travellers have come to expect from our team.”

About CUPE

CUPE Newfoundland Labrador represents approximately 6,300 public service workers in airlines, health care, education, treasury, public housing, provincial libraries, university, transition and group homes, child care, and more.

About PAL Airlines

A proud member of the Exchange Income Corporation family of airlines, PAL Airlines is based in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador and serves an extensive network of scheduled and charter destinations across Eastern Canada and Quebec. PAL Airlines has over 40 years experience in the aviation industry with a reputation built on safety, reliability, and exceptional customer service. PAL Airlines was recently awarded our seventh Airline Reliability Award from De Havilland Canada for the Dash 8–100/200/300 Aircraft Program.

Web banner. Image: photo of attendees listening to a speaker at a conference. Text: Bargaining Conference, Gander, April 2-3

CUPE members to prepare for provincial bargaining at conference in Gander April 2-3

creynolds Collective Bargaining

Web banner. Image: photo of attendees listening to a speaker at a conference. Text: Bargaining Conference, Gander, April 2-3CUPE NL’s bargaining team will discuss contract proposals, member mobilization, and the union’s “no concession policy” at a two-day strategic planning conference taking place in Gander on April 2 and 3, 2022. The union is preparing for the upcoming round of bargaining with the provincial government. Public sector contracts expired March 31, 2022. 

Dozens of bargaining committee members will attend from 23 locals across the province, representing over 3,800 members who work in health care, long term care, school boards, NL Housing, Government House, NL Public Libraries, as well as transition and group homes. 

CUPE NL President Sherry Hillier says, “After many years of disappointment by the Liberal government, and the threat of massive cuts to both public services and public sector jobs from Premier Andrew Furey’s so-called “reset” plan, CUPE members have had enough and are ready to take action.” 

“For many years, our members have suffered real wage losses from provincially-mandated wage freezes, cuts or minimal increases,” states Hillier. “They are ready to fight back and reject the reset.” 

Members will be joined by CUPE Atlantic Regional Director Tracey Pinder, CUPE Campaign Coordinator Ed White, as well as staff representatives from CUPE National branches including legal, research, human rights, union education, health and safety, communications, and organizing and regional services. 

Web banner. Text: Reject the reset. Image: audio icon

New radio campaign from CUPE asks Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to “reject the reset”

creynolds News Release, Political Action

Web banner. Text: Reject the reset. Image: audio iconIn a new radio ad campaign, CUPE is asking all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to reject Premier Andrew Furey’s “reset” plan, and to fight the proposed cuts to the public sector and public services, and the sale of publicly-owned assets.

Listen to the radio ads below

The ads are playing on radio stations across the province from March 24 to April 6, in the lead-up to Budget Day. Listen for the ads on VOCM, K-Rock, Big Land Country, and OzFM.

“Whose side is the premier on? Not folks living in rural communities, and the people who depend on public services to make life fairer and more affordable, not the people who do the work that keep our economy running,” says Sherry Hillier, CUPE NL president.

“Staffing shortages are happening across the province, in long-term care, healthcare, and home care; but thousands of people will be on the unemployment line because of Premier Furey’s plan,” says Hillier.

“Corporations are always looking for ways to put more money in their own pockets. They see taking over public services as a way to do that. The premier’s ‘reset’ plan will make the rich richer, and life harder for the rest of us,” says Hillier.

“It’s not a reset. It’s ending life as we know it in rural communities,” says Hillier, “There should be no profit in our healthcare, long-term care, education, or other public services.”

CUPE is asking the public to contact their MHAs and tell them to reject the “reset” before it’s too late.

CUPE Newfoundland Labrador represents approximately 6,300 public service workers in health care, education, treasury, public housing, provincial libraries, university, transition and group homes, child care, and much more.

Radio ad #1

Radio ad #2

Radio ad #3

Please share! 

 

Web banner. Text: The fight for workers after the convoy. Image: illustration of a crowd of people

CUPE Education webinar: The fight for workers after the convoy

creynolds Political Action

Sponsored by CUPE Education in the Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Atlantic regions.

The so-called “Freedom Convoy” occupied the streets of Ottawa for 23 days this winter. Spin-off protests and blockades have rocked cities and towns across the country. Who organized these protests and what are their goals? What does it mean for workers? And how can CUPE members respond?

Three CUPE regions are coming together to co-host a webinar to look at these questions and more. Join us for a discussion with Kurt Phillips from Canadian Anti-Hate Network; Aubrey Gonsalves, CUPE diversity vice-president; and Angella MacEwen, CUPE National’s senior economist.

The COVID pandemic put a huge strain on our public services and revealed the gaps in Canada’s social safety net. What will that mean for politics in Canada going forward? How do we fight back against the rise of the far-right, racism and white supremacy? Workers and the labour movement have a responsibility to answer these questions. This is sure to be an informative and engaging event—invite your friends and family to join.

ASL and French language interpretation will be provided.

What: The Fight for Workers After the Convoy Webinar
When: March 30, 5:00 p.m. in AB and SK, 8 p.m. in NS, and 8:30 pm in NL
Register to attend here: https://cupe-ca.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Yasc264IR7qRnWNvfGBWqw

>> Download a copy of the poster for your workplace and local office!

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Web banner. Text: CUPE Atlantic Maritime Indigenous Council. Image: illustration of a single feather

Become a member of the CUPE Atlantic Maritime Region Indigenous Council

creynolds Human Rights, Indigenous, Racial Equality

Calling all CUPE members in the Atlantic-Maritimes region who self-identify as Indigenous – First Nations, Metis or Inuit!

Please consider joining the newly created CUPE Atlantic Maritime Region Indigenous Council (CAMIC). The first meeting is tentatively scheduled for June 9 to 11, 2022.

The deadline to apply is May 1, 2022.

Constitutional amendments were recently passed by four divisions to create the council. The divisions will cover the cost of participation.

Email your expression of interest to:
CUPE NB sdrost@cupe.ca
CUPE NL egreen@cupe.ca
CUPE NS cmelanson@hotmail.com
CUPE PEI lgallant@cupe.ca

 

 

Web banner. Image of boot print and the CUPE NL logo. Text: Reject the Reset.

CUPE members call on the public to reject Andrew Furey’s big reset – Information picket Sunday, December 5

creynolds Event, News Release

Web banner. Image of boot print and the CUPE NL logo. Text: Reject the Reset.CUPE members are calling on the public to reject Premier Andrew Fury’s big reset and will hold an information picket on December 5 at the Farmers’ Market in St. John’s.

“Premier Andrew Furey wants everyone to think he has the public’s best interests at heart, but what his plan is really doing is putting more money in the pockets of corporations and billionaires,” says Sherry Hillier, CUPE NL president. “The private sector is always looking for more ways to generate profit and taking over public services can be extremely profitable – by cutting corners on safety and quality, pushing down wages and benefits, and working people into the ground.”

“It’s shocking that the premier would consider selling off our publicly-owned assets that generate millions of dollars in revenue, but that plan is already in motion now,” says Hillier. “Sure, we may pay off some debt now, but how’ll we generate revenue in the future if we don’t hold onto these assets?”

WHAT: Info picket busting the myths created by Premier Furey’s “big reset”.

WHEN: Sunday, December 5, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

WHERE: Farmers’ Market, Freshwater Road, St. John’s

WHO: CUPE NL President Sherry Hillier and CUPE members

CUPE is asking all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to reject the premier’s so-called “reset” and to fight the proposed cuts to the public sector and vital public services – before it’s too late. Visit RejectTheResetNL.ca to learn more.

Myth Busters – Reject the Reset

creynolds Political Action

Busting the myths created by Premier Furey’s “big reset” to save the economy by privatizing public services, selling off assets, and cutting jobs.

MYTH

Deep cuts are necessary to pay down the debt.

FACT

Massive cuts are not needed. We can cover the deficit with well thought-out, phased-in revenue growth. Our government needs to drive economic growth by offering more training opportunities, helping workers transition into new job sectors, reducing income inequality, and creating a fairer tax system.

These revenue options could generate $800 million:

  • Increase taxes on high income earners and large corporations
  • Continue to raise carbon tax rates
  • Introduce new taxes on extreme wealth and luxury goods

MYTH

Selling off our public assets is necessary to pay down the debt.

FACT

It’s shocking that Premier Furey would even consider selling off our publicly-owned assets that generate millions of dollars in revenue, but that plan is already in motion now. He’s planning to sell off public assets such as NL Hydro, NL Liquor, and the Motor Vehicle Registry, just to name a few.

Sure, we may pay off some debt now, but how will we generate revenue in the future if we don’t hold onto these assets? We’ll lose billions in revenue if we lose these publicly-owned assets. NL Liquor is very profitable. In the last ten years, dividends have totalled $1.6 billion. In 2019 to 2020, our province received $91 million in revenue from vehicle and driver licenses, and $70 million from registration of deeds, companies and securities.

MYTH

The premier’s proposed job cuts will hardly be noticeable.

FACT

The premier’s plan is a job killer, and we’ll all suffer for it. It will put almost 9,000 people on the unemployment line. That’s 5% of full-time jobs in the province!

Nearly ¾ of the jobs lost will be in the health care sector, and many of them will be in rural areas where jobs and health care services are increasingly harder to come by. We cannot afford 6,500 fewer public health care workers, especially after the pandemic, and a massive cyberattack that has disrupted our healthcare system, cancelling thousands of procedures.

Spending cuts could also result in 1,000 fewer jobs at Memorial University and the College of the North Atlantic. Some campuses will inevitably close.

MYTH

With the premier’s plan we’ll still have all the public services we need.

FACT

Governments like to use code words like “alternative service delivery” and “shared services” to cover up what they’re really doing – handing over our public services and facilities to big business. We’ll lose control of those services, costs will rise, and quality will suffer.

Changes outlined in the premier’s plan, which have already begun, will make it harder for parents to have a say in their children’s education. Many good jobs will be lost as HR, IT, payroll, maintenance and other jobs are handed over to private, for-profit companies.

Regional health authorities will shutter hospitals and clinics across the province. Health care services like blood work, diagnostic testing, and more, could be handed over to private, for-profit companies.

MYTH

The premier’s team just wants what’s best for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

FACT

They know that their plan will put more money in the pockets of corporations and billionaires. The private sector is always looking for more ways to generate profit, and taking over public services can be extremely profitable – by cutting corners on safety and quality, pushing down wages and benefits, and working people into the ground.

CONTACT YOUR MHA AND TELL THEM TO “REJECT THE RESET”

We must reject Premier Furey’s plan before it’s too late!

Newfoundlanders and Labradorians know they can count on public services to make life more affordable and more equal, and improve our communities and our quality of life.

Contact info for MHAs: assembly.nl.ca/members/members.aspx

Download a copy: one-page version of the pamphlet.

Image of the Reject the Reset one-page pamphlet

Web banner. CUPE 1349: Perfectly United. Town of Grand Falls-Windsor.

CUPE 1349 ratifies collective agreement with Town of Grand Falls-Windsor

creynolds Collective Bargaining

Members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 1349 voted this evening in favour of ratifying a new collective agreement with the Town of Grand Falls-Windsor.

The collective agreement is effective retroactively from January 2, 2021, to December 31, 2025. The deal includes wage increases, a signing bonus, as well as improvements to call-in language that will allow greater work-life balance for casual workers.

The union proposed a new “rate stabilization fund” that will ensure accountability, affordability, and transparency for the health benefits plan, which the town agreed to. “We think this shows our members’ willingness to take shared responsibility of the benefits plan,” says CUPE National Representative Ed White. The town will be the administrators of the fund, with oversight by the union.

The collective agreement must also be ratified by the employer and once that is complete the members of CUPE 1349 will resume their jobs. “We’ll be working with the employer to see that the ‘return to work’ agreement is implemented to ensure a period of healing and respectful return to work, for both union and non-union staff,” says CUPE 1349 President Tammie Greening.

“We believe this is a fair deal for our members, the town, and residents,” says Greening, who thanked the bargaining committee for their hard work and praised members for their support and solidarity.

CUPE 1349 represents approximately 100 municipal workers who work in recreation services, fire dispatch, administration, taxation and finance, road maintenance, water and sewage, municipal enforcement, and engineering and planning.