Via Erynne Grant, CUPE 2081 Labour Relations Officer
As we come to the end of the second full week of this new working world, I want to take the opportunity to thank all of you for your commitment, compassion and continued solidarity. We appear to be in this for some time yet.
Our Facilities staff are reporting to work, on campus, and for them, particular recognition is due. The transition to online course delivery has skyrocketed the volume of support work for our already high performing D2L team. Financial Aid, Registration and Admissions, normally meet face to face with students. They are working to provide the same high value service in a new digital environment. Payroll continues to work under unusual conditions, closing the fiscal year and ensuring our financial responsibilities continue, on behalf of the College. Everyone is adapting and making the best of a very challenging situation.
Everyone has shown dedication, professionalism and the best of our CUPE 2081 community. We ‘changed faster‘ and we model resilience everyday. We are CUPE 2081!
Read on for some reminders and updates.
*Reminder
Please, remember, to work your ‘normal’ work day. This means your usual 7 or 7.5 hour work day and normal work week, of not more than five consecutive days! Everyone needs time to rest, relax and rejuvenate. That is what the weekend is for and a weekend was a hard fought gain for unions, so please: don’t start to give that up now.
*EI Rebate: 2020/2021
The impact of COVID-19 on our union processes require us to adapt and ensure we are proceeding with expected business, on behalf of the membership.
Normally, we would put forward a motion and vote on which benefit to increase. Instead, this year, we have approved and applied the EI Rebate to increase vision wear. The benefit is normally $250 but will increase to $500 from April 1 2020-March 31 2021.
The membership voted to apply the EI Rebate to vision wear for six years, so we believe our decision is keeping with that practice.
*Staff Development
A separate update will be coming regarding Staff Development. CUPE SD is receiving many questions regarding applications for activities that are now cancelled or postponed. The SD Committee, in consultation with Labour Management, will be providing more information as soon as possible. Stay tuned!
Bargaining
This was a challenging round of negotiations that lasted more than 20 days. However, we are prepared to recommend a new package for the membership to vote on!
Normally, we would call a meeting and walk you through the proposed changes and then vote: in person. That is not possible for this round. I am working with CUPE BC, CUPE National, in consultation with our staff representative, to develop an online process for voting and ratification.
This will take a little time, so please: stay tuned!
Stay connected
Remember to check us out on Facebook.
Roseanne, our Comms Officer, encourages you to post pictures of your home office, or your regular office, on our CUPE 2081 Facebook page. A little levity during these challenging times is helpful, keeps us connected and reminds us: we are all doing the best we can during some pretty exceptional times!
Questions and Answers
I remain committed to helping in anyway I can. Continue to check the College website for updates and read those CamNews emails.
Now that we are physically apart, we need to stay connected by ensuring we are keeping informed. Physically apart doesn’t need to mean socially removed.
Unfortunately, there are still many unknown unknowns, but I am working as quickly as possible to gather information and will respond to your emails as soon as I can.
If you have a question, please don’t hesitate to email me: cupe2081@camosun.bc.ca.