2026 Greater Victoria CUPE Scholarship Applications

2026 Greater Victoria CUPE Scholarship Applications

CUPE local members have once again contributed generously to this scholarship fund! These scholarships are open to active members and the children of active members of contributing locals (410, 788, 917, 951, 2011, and 2081) of the Canadian Union of Public Employees of the Greater Victoria area.

Applicants from any of these CUPE locals can use the PDF application package attached.

We are now accepting applications for the 2026 awards. Recipients will be chosen in December 2026, and awards will be disbursed in late December.

The selection will be based on a combination of academic standing, one reference letter, and a one-page letter of introduction. Students may receive an award from the fund in one year only. More information, eligibility criteria, and FAQs are included in the application package.

The application form is also available in PDF form on the websites of participating CUPE locals.

STUDENTS MUST USE THE CURRENT FORM: “GV CUPE Scholarship Award Application Form for 2026.”  Using an older version of the form may disadvantage applicants.

Deadline: Completed applications must be received by 11:59 pm PST on October 15, 2026 at gvcupescholarshipcommittee@gmail.com

For more information, contact your CUPE Local representative to the GV CUPE Scholarship Fund.

FORM: https://2081.cupe.ca/wp-content/blogs.dir/332/scholarship-application-2026-fillable.pdf

Degrees of Change

How Did We Get Into This Position?

“This will be a real reckoning about what’s next for the sector. And this latest review is filled with red flags about what they’re up to.” 

Check out this article linked below for more information:

– University Affairs

 

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – September 30th

Tomorrow 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. Local 2081 is proud to have negotiated the addition of Sep 30th within Article 19.01 of your most recent CA, along with specific cultural leave for Indigenous employees. (Article 22.14)

This September 30th 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.

Labour Day – September 1st

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.

BC election is now OPEN – Make your vote count!

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.

Happy Labour Day from CUPE 2081

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 2nd 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/

 

International Overdose Awareness Day – August 31st

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

 

CUPE 2081’s 50th Anniversary Gala

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.

United Way British Columbia Workplace Campaign

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