Statement from the Executive Committee on current situation

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Statement from the CUPE 4207 Executive Committee

As everyone is aware, the COVID-19 crisis is continually evolving. Health authorities at all levels of government have recommended that as a way to halt the spread of this virus, people avoid large gatherings and practice social distancing. The Executive Committee has discussed these recommendations in how our union functions, especially given that we are seeking to bargain for a fair collective agreement for Unit 1, and Unit 3 will be entering bargaining soon.

… Read more…

Employee and Family Assistance Program extended!

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The Employer has extended the EFAP benefits until JUNE 30, 2020 for all Unit 1 members who are on the Unit 1 seniority list!

This means that any Unit 1 member, whether currently holding a contract or not, can use the Employee and Family Assistance Program, an online and phone based support service. It offers Professional Counselling, Financial Support, Legal Support, Nutrition Support, Family Support, Career Counselling, Health Coaching and Naturopathic Service.

https://brocku.ca/human-resources/efap/

STRIKE DEADLINE MARCH 19th

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We have encountered an impasse at conciliation at the end of February, and requested “no board report” to be filed by a conciliator with the Ministry of Labour. This has been done and the MOL stamped the no-board notice March 2. This means that our strike deadline is legally set 17 days from March 2nd – MARCH 19!

Again, it does not mean we are going to strike. It all depends on the result of two more days of conciliation leading to the strike deadline – March 17 and 18th. But we need to be prepared and among other things, do this:

Picket Captain training
This training will be conducted on campus in the following week (MARCH 9 – 13). It is about three hours long and it will include food!
Who can become a picket captain? Any member who is confident to be the go-to person for the 4 hour duration of their picket shift, and who can keep the picket running and reasonably organized.
What do Picket Captains do? Check out this manual to have an idea. Do not worry, the training will boost your confidence to undertake it 😉

Please email the union ASAP so we can include you in the scheduling for this training! info@cupe4207.org

Sign up for Strike Pay
This CUPE National form – Strike Pay Application Tally Sheet –  is available in our office MC C 402, or anywhere the Strike Mobilization Committee members bring the form with them for signing, if you want the financial boost of a strike pay when picketing!
CUPE National Strike Fund covers the regular academic workers’ strike pay — $300 for 20 hours of picketing per week. Our local will top up to $400 a week from our own Strike Fund.
Please be mindful that the longer the picket line the shorter the strike! In other words, the more people on the picket line the shorter the strike and the the more pressure is on the employer to settle!

To ensure there is even dispersion of members per picketing shift, the 20 hours per week are divided into five 4 hour shifts.*

Sign up for Strike-Related Committees
A strike is a complex undertaking and the very important elements of it, such as being safe, are coordinated and carried out by the many union members who are committed to make our university run better and fair!
This Word document  can be filled in and emailed back to us, or printed out and sent/brought to us in MC C402. If the office door is closed, there is the big wooden mailbox you can drop it in (office hours for the March 9 – 13th week are posted below).

* If you are coming from other regions to work at Brock, CUPE National is willing to make exception for alternate hours scheduling of picketing, but that needs to be indicated on the Strike-Related Committees form! If your condition prevents you from walking, please let us know so you can be accommodated in alternate picketing duties.

The union office will be open next week for forms signing and their drop off, for inquiries and updates. We will have refreshments there as well – yummy snacks and soft drinks!

The OFFICE IN MC C 402 is going to be open on

MONDAY March 9:  1 pm  – 5 pm

TUESDAY March 10:  12 pm – 4 pm

WEDNESDAY March 11:  9 am – 2 pm

THURSDAY March 12: 1 pm – 4 pm

FRIDAY March 13:  12 pm – 5 pm

MARCH GMM

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We are having a general meeting on March 12 at 5 pm in Thistle 240.

  • BARGAINING UPDATES and MOBILIZATION
  • ELECTION FOR CHIEF STEWARD UNTIL AGM APRIL 6 GENERAL ELECTIONS. Our Chief Steward Nathan Cecckin, has been elected into the vacant TREASURER position, until April 6th AGM, hence there is a vacant position left behind –  the Chief Steward.
  • ELECTIONS FOR CUPE ONTARIO CONVENTION – 10 voting delegates! https://cupe.on.ca/convention2020/
  • NOTICE TO CHANGE TO BYLAWS WAS GIVEN AT OUR  GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING FEBRUARY 27 WILL BE DISCUSSED AND VOTED ON AT THIS GMM.

The amendments can be viewed here : https://4207.cupe.ca/files/2020/02/PBF-26-Feb-2020.pdf

 

 

What’s ahead

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Things are getting busy here on the front line for fair working conditions! Here is the schedule for the upcoming week:

Thursday February 27 – 2 pm Strike Mobilization Committee meeting in MC J 404

Thursday February 27 – 5 pm General Members Meeting in Sankey Chamber

Friday February 28 – Unit 1 conciliation whole day in Four Point Sheraton hotel

Saturday February 29 – 9 am to 4 pm CUPE National facilitated Strike Prep Training

Members, you are the plenary decision making body of your union – engage! There is no occupational category on the labour market that would be immune to neoliberal pressures toward precarious existence. Only collective effort can bring fruit in fending it off.

To be an observer at conciliation on Feb 28 – email the union by Wednesday, Feb. 26.

To sign up for the Strike Prep Training – sign up info@cupe4207.org

 

 

GENERAL MEMBERS MEETING FEBRUARY 27

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We are meeting for our February GMM on Thursday, the 27th at 5 pm in the Sankey Chamber.

AGENDA for the meeting:

 

  • UNIT 1 is gearing towards strike aversion/mobilization and this will be on the agenda as a germane issue (U1 BC is at conciliation on Feb. 20th and Feb. 28).
  • STRIKE BUDGET APPROVAL
  • Elections pro tem (until the general elections at the annual meeting in April) of Treasurer (Executive Committee position) and Faculty Steward for Business (GSB).