CUPE 3550

On March 19, 2019 the Collective Agreement between the Board of Trustees and CUPE Local 3550 was ratified. Our new Collective Agreement is in effect from September 1, 2017 – August 31, 2020. The new rate of pay will be in effect immediately. Retro pay will come on the first pay in May. The Health Spending Accounts will be updated at the beginning of May. If you have any questions please call your payroll clerk.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 2019

SANTA MARIA GORETTI CENTRE, 11050 90 STREET, EDMONTON

Understanding What’s at Stake… and why working Albertans need to make their presence felt at the ballot box.

Some issues: Health care… Education… Jobs… Economy… Your Rights at Work.

Program

5:45 pm – Doors open

6:00-7:00 pm – Cash bar, punch, coffee, appetizers

7:00-9:00 pm – Program – Speaker, Gil McGowan followed by three panelists Heather Smith, UNA, Mike Parker, HSAA, Rory Gill, CUPE Alberta and Doug O’Halloran, UFCW 401, Q&A period

9:30 pm – program ends

Cash bar, coffee, water will be offered throughout the program.

Gil McGowan, AFL, is featured speaker – “What’s really going on with the Alberta economy,” followed by a panel of union leaders, Heather Smith, UNA, Mike Parker, HSAA, Rory Gill, CUPE Alberta, and Doug O’Halloran, UFCW who will talk on “What do working Albertans need from the next government?”

THIS IS NOT A REGISTERED event for members – ALL ARE WELCOME… Walk-ins, last minute… ALL CAN COME.

23rd Annual International Day Of Mourning

We want to celebrate Support Staff Appreciation Day with you!

Your Union values and appreciates your work as Support Staff. Please join us for a BBQ at the Union Office on April 24, 2019 from 3:00 – 6:30 pm

Your family is invited; please RSVP to 780-455-1435 or email cupe3550@telus.net (from your home email address) with the numbers attending.

April General Membership Meeting Reminder

7:00 PM – 9:00 PM 

 Tuesday, April 2, 2019

14207 115 Avenue 

 (CUPE 3550 Office)

Captioning or ASL Interpreter services will only be provided upon request. Please contact the Union Office (780 455-1435 or email cupe3550@telus.net) at least 10 days prior to a Membership Meeting if you require these services.

UPCOMING MEETINGS: May 7, June 11 (Elections)

ETS Bus stops across the street from the office are 5306 and 5933; Bus 121

Support Staff Appreciation Day-April 24, 2019

Your Union values and appreciates your work as Support Staff. Please join us for a BBQ at the Union Office on April 24, 2019 from 3:00 – 6:30 pm

Your family is invited; please RSVP to 780-455-1435 or email cupe3550@telus.net (from your home email address) with the numbers attending.

Check out CUPE Local 3550 website and Facebook!

If you want your home email added to CUPE Local 3550 Home email list, please provide your home email to: cupe3550@telus.net    

—

Carol Chapman

President, CUPE Local 3550

780 455-1435 – ext. 21

(c) 780 887-3552; Fax: 780 452-1462

Article in Counterpoint Spring 2019 (CUPE’s National Publication)

Gloria Lepine had had enough. “I need danger pay,” Lepine told her employer, Edmonton Public Schools. That comment got the employer’s attention. Chief Steward for CUPE Local 3550, Lepine, along with hundreds of other educational assistants (EAs), was getting more vocal about the ongoing violence in their workplace. As a member of CUPE’s National Executive Board, Lepine was instrumental in her local’s decision to work with the employer to create a policy to stop the violence. CUPE 3550 represents over 3,000 support staff workers (including educational assistants, library and office workers, technicians, and food services staff) who support thousands of Edmonton students every day. Support staff workers were filing incident reports on a weekly—sometimes daily—basis. The violence that educational assistants and other staff faced from students—including biting, hitting and kicking—got so serious at one school that four EAs invoked their right to refuse unsafe work. There were claims to the Workers’ Compensation Board, and physical and psychological injuries were common, Lepine says. “We said, this is crazy. We need a policy on violence in the workplace.” Adding to the pressure was Alberta Education and Edmonton Public Schools’ policy of “full inclusion” in the community schools. This meant that kids with different learning needs were all placed in the same class as the “mainstream” kids. However, the employer wasn’t always providing the level of support needed to ensure a productive learning environment for all students. Lepine points out that the problems weren’t always coming from the “inclusion kids.” The vast majority of the kids acting out, she says, were mainstream kids. “We’re prepared to take care of the needs of the special needs kids,” Lepine says. CUPE 3550 worked with all Edmonton Public Schools staff groups (including the Alberta Teachers’ Association, CUPE 474 Custodians, and CUPE 784 Maintenance) to press for a joint committee with the employer to develop a policy on violence in the workplace. To their credit, Edmonton Public Schools saw the wisdom in making schools safer and engaged with the unions to create a policy. The process took 3.5 years but was ultimately successful. Lepine says the concerns of workers are at the centre of the new policy. “We’re happy with the outcome,” Lepine says. “The policy helps ensure safety for our members.” This joint approach may not work at every workplace. But unions can play a role in shaping policy for the better, if employers are willing to listen.                                                                                                                                                                                       David Robbins

Workplace violence is a serious hazard that many CUPE members face every day. That’s why we’ve recently launched CUPE’s national response on workplace violence and harassment. We’re providing locals and members with the tools they need to educate their members about their rights on the job, and to tackle the issue or violence at work with their employer. If you are looking for resources on workplace violence, visit cupe.ca/violence-prevention-kit

Please educate yourselves about the candidates and VOTE!

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Helping you become more educated about the election.

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vote anywhere

This election is important

Edmonton Journal March 26, 2019

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Stay informed and educate yourself about the candidates. Please VOTE!

Do you need a Union membership card or fill out an application, be sworn in or pick up your card? We are open during Spring Break!! Please call the office (780) 455-1435 before coming to ensure an Officer is available. Drop in and have a coffee or tea and ask some questions. Our address is 14207-115 Avenue