As we approach the long weekend, CUPE 2081 wishes all of our members a wonderful Labour Day!

Labour Day is our day to celebrate the achievements of CUPE members and workers across Canada and around the world. It’s our chance to reflect on the struggles we’ve overcome and the challenges we face ahead. It’s our day to celebrate the strength we all draw from worker solidarity and unity.

Workers have always been the driving force behind milestone achievements. From parental leave and health and safety protections to pensions, paid sick days, fair wages and Employment Insurance – if you or anyone you love has ever relied on any of these, you can thank the labour movement.

Despite these many achievements, as we have seen recently this fight is far from over. Both nationally and globally the past year has seen increased attacks on both established worker and basic human rights. While we take this weekend to recharge and reflect on all that we have accomplished, we must also renew our commitment to maintaining and promoting the core principles that we hold dear. Fair wages, safe working conditions, community supports for those in need, and equity and inclusion in our workplaces and communities.

Enjoy your weekend and thanks for all that you do.

Advance voting for the BC election is now open, and members have several options to ensure they make their vote count. Polls indicate the race is incredibly close and it’s fast and easy to vote early.

Elections BC will have Advance Polls open on both campuses next week, on Tuesday & Wednesday Oct 15 & 16 from 8am – 8pm. Advance polling will be open to staff, students and members of the public.

You’ll be able to find Elections BC at the following Camosun locations:

• Interurban campus: Helmut Huber annex (adjacent to the Culinary Arts cafeteria)
• Lansdowne campus: Sherri Bell Hall in the Wilna Thomas building

Additional information and links on how and where to vote can be found below.

Vote early October 10–13, 15 and 16 (closed Oct 14 for Thanksgiving)*

Find your nearest voting location at wheretovote.elections.bc.ca   Polls are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time.
Remember to bring one piece of government-issued photo ID, or two documents that show your name and address

*Some communities may not have advance voting options every day. Click to confirm dates and locations.

This weekend CUPE 2081 honours the lost children, Survivors and intergenerational Survivors of the Canadian Indian residential school system. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is inspired by the story of Survivor Phyllis Jack Webstad, and people across Canada have officially commemorated September 30th as Orange Shirt Day since 2013.

Public and private commemorations of this tragic and painful history and the ongoing impacts of residential schools are both difficult and vital components of the reconciliation process. We trust that all members of our community will be engaging in thoughts of reflection to honour the children who survived and remember those who did not.

One of the ways CUPE locals can support reconciliation is by bargaining language supporting Indigenous workers into collective agreements, and CUPE 2081 is proud to have negotiated the addition of Sep 30th within Article 19.01 of your current CA.

This Monday and every other day of the year, let’s work together to commemorate, to honour, to demand justice, and to take action to end systemic racism and the ongoing harms of colonialism.

CUPE 2081 would like to wish all of our members a Happy Labour Day.

It is with great pride that we celebrate the hard work we do and recognize the accomplishments of the labour movement and the benefits of having a unionized workplace. The origins of Labour Day come from the struggles of working people and the demand for fairness, and those principles still very much apply today.
We hope this holiday gives you the opportunity to spend time with your friends and family and to reflect on the contributions working people have made by forming unions and fighting for a supportive and
equitable workplace.

To learn more about the history and traditions of Labour Day in Canada, visit:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labour_Day_(Canada)

https://www.labourheritagecentre.ca/labour-days-of-old/

You can also join the Victoria Labour Council on Monday September 2^nd in Memorial Park in Esquimalt to celebrate Labour Day. This is a family-friendly event with live music, children’s activities, food, and more.
The event runs from 11am – 2pm.

https://victorialabour.ca/events/labour-day/

In anticipation of the Labour Day long weekend, members are reminded that this Saturday is International Overdose Awareness Day, a global event to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of a drug-related death. It acknowledges the grief felt by families and friends remembering those who have died or suffered an injury as a result of a drug overdose. Follow the links below for more information.

https://helpstartshere.gov.bc.ca/blog/international-overdose-awareness-day

https://www.canada.ca/en/services/health/campaigns/men-construction-trades-overdose-crisis-canada/men-trades-substance-use.html

From all of us on the 2081 executive team: THANK YOU to everyone for turning out in style. From set up to tear down, it was a night to remember.

The annual United Way British Columbia workplace campaign is coming to a close.

As always, unionized workers are the largest contributors to the campaign. United Way British Columbia has a strong and long-standing partnership with organized labour, sharing a common vision of an inclusive community with a wide range of social and public services that are accessible for everyone.

More than ever before, BC communities need help addressing critical social issues. United Way British Columbia’s areas of focus include Urgent Response, Children & Youth, Seniors, Poverty, Mental Health, and Food Security.

If you are able, we encourage you to participate in the campaign through payroll donations. You can make a one-time gift or choose to give a recurring amount that comes off your paycheque automatically. You can also choose specific priorities for your donation. Every gift made to United Way helps people right here in our community.

How to sign up or change your online Payroll giving

Payroll giving is continuous each payday. Login anytime to modify or cancel your donation. If you are a term or temporary employee, deductions occur only when you are working with the college.

1. Create a United Way account
2. Choose amount to give each payday (or one-time donation)
3. Choose specific priorities for your donation (optional)

Login to your United Way account anytime to modify/cancel your deductions.

One-time or monthly donation

You can make a one-time or monthly contribution with your credit card through the United Way website at: uwgv.ca/donate

Marked annually in Canada on April 28, the National Day of Mourning is dedicated to remembering those who have lost their lives, suffered injury or illness on the job, or experienced a work-related tragedy.

Every year in Canada, around 1,000 workers lose their lives on the job. The National Day of Mourning is not only a day to remember and honour those lives lost or injured due to a workplace tragedy, but also a day to collectively renew our commitment to improve health and safety in the workplace and prevent further injuries, illnesses and deaths. CUPE will continue to fight for better legislation, education, and the proper resources to do our work safely.

Take time today at 11am to collectively pause, reflect, & remember.

Today marks International Women’s Day. Celebrated each year on March 8, IWD is a day to celebrate the past, present and future achievements of women. While the UN first recognized International Women’s Day in 1975, it has been celebrated for more than a century, and its origins overlap with unions and the struggle for social justice and economic equality.

Take time today to reflect on the progress made towards achieving gender equality, and to celebrate the acts of courage and determination of those who have played a role in advancing it in their communities. Gender stereotypes still exist today, especially in the workplace. CUPE 2081 stands alongside all those who choose to challenge sexism and discrimination both on the job and in greater society.

The International Women’s Day 2023 campaign theme is #EmbraceEquity. We urge everyone to challenge gender stereotypes, call out discrimination, and seek out inclusion. Knowing this will help us better support and uplift all women and the girls that follow.