We are pleased to share news about another Leading Effective Teams workshop being offered this fall for Workplace Leaders. The Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) and Human Resources (HR) Learning & Development, with financial support from CUPE 2081, CCFA, and HR, have partnered to bring this workshop to you.

The course runs from 9am-5pm over two days. Please first discuss this learning opportunity with your supervisor for approval. As space is limited, you need to be able to commit to both days before you sign up. Click on the link below for more details on what you will learn at the course. If the course is oversubscribed, a waitlist will be kept for future offerings.

Leading Effective Teams – Relationship Systems Intelligence

This 2 day workshop facilitated by Juhree Zimmerman is for work place leaders across the College.

Thursday, October 29 & November 5; 9:00am – 5:00pm; LLC151, Lansdowne

Register here

The Fall 2015 Pressure Point is off to the presses! If you have not opted in for a printed copy and wish to receive one, please email cupe2081@camosun.bc.ca.

If you prefer the electronic edition, please download it here:

Pressure Point Fall 2015

Thanks to everyone who contributed! The deadline for the next edition of Pressure Point is January 20, 2016.

The next general meeting is 12:05 – 12:55, October 22, and will be video-conferenced to allow members from both campuses to participate.

Lansdowne – Ewing 346

Interurban – Campus Centre 121

Agenda:

AGENDA 2015.10.22 October General Meeting Agenda

Minutes from last meeting:

MINUTES 09 17 15 General Membership Meeting

Reports:

• REPORT 2015.10 Report – President
• REPORT 2015.09 Report – Chief Shop Steward
• REPORT 2015.09 Report – Communications – EXEC
• REPORT 2015.09 Report – Communications – UPDATED
• REPORT 2015.09 Report – VIDC
• REPORT 2015.06 Report – June Correspondence 

Decisions are made by those who attend!

Also – the results from the May Member Questionnaire are up!

CUPE LOCAL 2081 – Member Questionnaire – Spring 2015 2015.05.21

2015-2016 meeting schedule

Oct 20, 2015, (http://cupe.ca/)

Yesterday Canadians sent a clear message: Stephen Harper’s regressive decade of divisive, anti-democratic politics is over. Harper’s agenda was ruthless: painful cuts to public services and programs that all Canadians depend on, paired with massive tax breaks for the richest individuals and most profitable corporations. Canadians have spoken and Harper’s agenda has been soundly rejected.

Voters have expressed a clear desire for change. The Liberal party has signaled strong support for enhancements to the Canada Pension Plan, something which CUPE has wholeheartedly supported. They are also committed to opening a new chapter in federal-provincial relationships which could lead to the speedy negotiation of a new health accord. Alongside this new health accord,  it is critical that the new government commit to the enforcement of the Canada Health Act.

There has also been general agreement from all parties other than the Conservatives that Harper’s divisive and unconstitutional attack on unions, Bill 377, should be repealed, as should Bill 525, which is an attack on workers’ rights to join and remain in a union.

Read the entire article at CUPE National

If you ever need to be reminded why you work at Camosun College, consider attending the Annual Award Ceremony for students in the School of Access. Held on October 2 in the Young Building, many students ventured forth to be honoured for their achievements in front of their family, friends, and Camosun employees. Without exception, these students overcame significant personal, social, and scholarly challenges, to excel among their peers. It was a humbling experience to witness their modesty, which only made the fierce pride in their eyes seem all the more passionate.

One of the awards, the Richard Rayfuse and Keith Todd Literacy Award, was presented by our Vice President, Keith Todd. Several memorial awards were presented on behalf of past employees and other donors. Kudos to our member, Rhonda Maguire, for organizing yet another stellar ceremony for all to enjoy.

Congratulations, Access students!

CUPE Local 873 honoured its retiring members at a dinner event at the Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel on Wednesday night. Approximately forty retirees from throughout the province were joined by family, friends, Ambulance Paramedics of BC President, Bronwen Barter, CUPE BC President, Mark Hancock, and CUPE National President, Paul Moist, previous retirees, and current members, to recognize colleagues beginning a new life career – retirement.

Each retiring member received a beautiful plaque, women received bouquets of flowers, and the names of a lucky few were drawn to receive gift cards. A wonderful dinner, heartfelt speeches, and entertaining stories rounded out a tremendously successful night of recognition.

OTTAWA – After 12 years at the helm of Canada’s largest union, CUPE National President, Paul Moist announced he will not stand for re-election at CUPE’s National Convention next November. “CUPE members serve Canadians around-the-clock, 365 days a year, delivering public services such as Medicare and Public Education that makes Canada a fairer more just society,” said Moist. “I have been honoured to work for those members throughout most of my adult life.”

“But after 40 years of membership, 32 years of full-time union work, and the last 12 years as National President, it is time I stepped aside and let a new generation of leaders emerge within CUPE.” said Moist.

Moist is CUPE’s 5th National President, the first ever from Western Canada.  Since his election in 2003 as the head of Canada’s largest union:

• CUPE has added 100,000 new members, and today represents 634,000 workers.
• CUPE’s National Strike Fund has grown from $13 million to over $80 million today.
• CUPE’s connection to the Canadian Labour Congress, Public Services International (a global public service union body representing over 20 million members), the New Democratic Party of Canada, and a wide range of social justice groups, including the Council of Canadians and the Canada Health Coalition, has increased.

“CUPE is full of talented activists and I am confident that delegates at our upcoming National Convention will select a great leader to lead the union forward.” added Moist.

In retirement, Moist plans to continue his activism with the NDP and social justice groups such as the Council of Canadians.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees is Canada’s largest union, with over 634,000 members across the country. CUPE represents workers in health care, emergency services, education, early learning and child care, municipalities, social services, libraries, utilities, transportation, airlines and more.

CUPE’s National Convention will be held in Vancouver from November 2 to 6.

For information:
Philippe Gagnon
CUPE Media Relations
613-894-0146
pgagnon@scfp.ca

Did you know a dunk tank takes about two hours to fill up with water? How long do you think it takes to empty it? Into a drain, probably just as long. Onto concrete? A nanosecond!

Tony Nelson, our President, and several other like minded souls, offered brave support for the United Way at the Lansdowne campus on September 18. Eager to top last year’s head shaving rivalry, Tony dunked it out on the tank “hot seat” with Sonja Kennedy, HR Labour Relations Specialist.

Sonja proved to be a formidable opponent, hitting the target three times during Tony’s lofty reign! (Tony must have exhausted his throwing skills at the recent Michael Dunahee Tourney!) Splashes, witty one liners, and screams of laughter, characterized this robust two hour event. Nary a dry eye anywhere!

The event, initiated and organized by Tony, raised approximately three thousand dollars for the United Way. Tony is a big man, with a big voice, and a big message. Prior to taking the hot seat, he told us a little bit about the charity. Then, he put his hand on his chest, cleared his throat, and in a tiny voice, said, “it’s near and dear to my heart.” Nary a dry eye anywhere.

During last Thursday Night’s General Meeting, news about our participation in the successful New Employee Welcome Event was shared with the membership. The welcome was held earlier this month, hosted by the College in the Wilna Thomas Cultural Centre at Lansdowne Campus.

Your Vice President, Keith Todd, greeted our members near the end of the half day session, during time set aside for CUPE and representatives from the other employee groups. He provided general information about the overall structure of our Union, and stressed the importance of our membership in all areas of the College community. Also, details about vacation, staff development, breaks during work hours, and the like, were briefly showcased.

At the conclusion of the event, Keith and other members of our Executive met with our new members to greet them, shake their hands, and say “Hello!” Each member received an envelope containing a letter of introduction, their union card, a coupon for a beverage and bakery treat at their campus cafeteria, and a hybrid lily plant.

Currently, the College hosts a welcome event in September and again in February. If you have a new member in your area, please do make them feel welcome!

UPDATE: All four positions for Intro to Stewarding have been filled.

Thank you for your interest!

Our membership has approved up to four registrations for this introductory stewarding course to be held Oct 26-27 at the University of Victoria.

Is this an opportunity for you? You could learn things like:

– the role of the steward
– investigating workplace problems
– filing a grievance
– meeting with management
– CUPE’s structure
– dealing with workplace complaints

Paid (union) leave, refreshments, lunch, and parking, are all provided.

Interested? Please let us know! We are waiting to hear from you!

Email CUPE2081@camosun.bc.ca or phone (250) 370-3665