CUPE respectfully acknowledges that Simon Fraser University campuses occupies unceded, traditional Coast Salish territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), q̓ic̓əy̓ (Katzie), qʼʷa:n̓ƛʼən̓ (Kwantlen), kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem), Semiahmoo and Tsawwassen Nations.
CUPE Local 3338 is a non-profit union organization. We represent approximately 1000 members in six bargaining units each with their own employer across all three campuses of Simon Fraser University. Our vision is to advocate for just and diverse workplaces and communities, and to foster respect, dignity, and equity for our members, and for all working people.
President’s Message
Hi Everyone,
February ran away with the exec board a little so please bear with us on a slightly delayed newsletter. Some key highlights for February:
Executive Board: The executive board is down to 7 out of 14 positions. Key positions are vacant. While there are three paid officers, the executive board complement is reduced and as such, the union’s ability to respond to workplace concerns will be impacted. We know these roles can seem big and involved but please be assured we will ensure anyone who is interested is fully supported with training and mentorship. We want to share the skills and knowledge we have gained with new activists.
SFU Budgetary Restrictions: we continue to pay close attention to the effects of SFU budget decisions, specifically around workload, job precarity and migration of duties. We know that the current situation has caused increased fear – please let us know right away if you are seeing changes in your workplace, especially if work is being reduced and/or transferred (within CUPE or into other employee groups).
Solidarity on Campus: ongoing collaboration with other employee groups on campus on joint concerns and efforts. For example, reviving our participation within Contract Worker Justice (CWJ) to raise awareness about contracted-out work. We are stepping into some important actions and we look forward to sharing updates when plans are more formalized.
CUPE BC President’s Academy: I was selected to attend this week-long educational opportunity. It was extremely valuable to connect with other CUPE presidents across different sectors and have a focused overview about CUPE structure and functionality. I am excited to share the knowledge gained and implement fun strategies within the local!
Research is Work CUPE 2278 (UBC) campaign:
We wanted to lend our voice to amplify the status of organizing research workers at UBC. We encourage you to read the information from the link above and lend your voice in solidarity with their important actions.
We have important work to do as the year moves forward full steam ahead. We very much look forward to stepping back into membership engagement across all units and rebuilding much needed connection with one another.
In solidarity and on behalf of the 2025 executive board,
Shaneza Bacchus
2025 Executive Board
Vacant Positions
Do you have some time and pent up energy that could be channeled productively? Do you want to feel like you are making a difference in the workplace? Your union always needs your help! The following roles are vacant and we would love to have new individuals join the hardworking team. Any member in good standing can step into these positions. Written and verbal English skills are necessary but additional training and education are available and paid book-off from work is an option. Please email info@cupe3338.ca if you’d like to find out how to get involved!
-
Recording Secretary: “behind the scenes” work, taking minutes, and to help keep the union office organized.
-
Communications Officer: “behind the scenes” work to research, compose communications, update the website and in the future, perhaps social media.
-
Unit 1/SFU | U4/BEST | U6/GSS | U7/SFPIRG Representatives: meets with members and employers. A new rep would start by attending initial CUPE training, shadowing an experienced rep as a notetaker, and eventually meet with members on their own. A rep must be from the bargaining unit they work in.
-
Stewards: Your union needs more stewards! These roles primarily function as a point of contact among teams/colleagues and liaison between your team and the union.
Meet the Current Exec!
We’ll be updating the website soon with photos and a brief introduction to your 2025 executive board!
Unit Updates
Unit 1/SFU
-
Bargaining committee call out closed on February 14, 2025. Stay tuned for other ways to be involved in bargaining.
-
Reminder: Organizational Health is the only office that should be handling your medical documentation. If your supervisor asks you for a doctor’s note for a medical absence, politely advise them that medical notes are handled exclusively by Organizational Health.
Unit 2/CUPW
-
Connecting with the member next week.
Unit 4/BEST
-
Regular labour management meetings to address ongoing workplace concerns: workload, safety, bullying and harassment.
-
Regular unit check-ins/meetings will be scheduled.
-
Members are encouraged to contact the office (drop by, call, email) to speak with a rep and/or schedule a meeting.
Unit 5/SFSS
-
Bargaining is scheduled for March 10-28
-
February 20 & 24 | info sessions
-
February 27 | Proposal presentation and ratification (details will be sent by email)
-
-
CUPE and the new SLO team met at the end of January. It was a very good first meeting, the tone was collaborative and engaged. We look forward to working with the new SFSS management team. We will be scheduling regular Working Conditions meetings to address workplace concerns and labour relations.
Unit 6/GSS and U7/SFPIRG
-
Business as usual.
Membership Engagement
We are very excited to announce that we will be dedicated the 2nd Wednesday of each month starting in April for membership engagement across all units and campuses. Stay tuned for weekly announcements on ways to connect: drop-in office time, ‘pizza with the president’, Wellness Wednesdays, etc. We have some fun outdoor activities in mind once the weather is more agreeable.
Committees
Pension
Terms of reference: “The CUPE L3338 Pension Committee promotes and supports pension literacy for our members. In addition to educating members about the SFU Pension Plan for Administrative/Union Staff, we advocate and explore pension plan improvements for all plan members by meeting regularly with members of the Employee Joint Pension Committee (or, EJPC), a joint employee group committee represented by CUPE, Poly Party and APSA.”
Advocacy & Activism
President and Vice President 2-Equity & Inclusion will be the exec leads for this committee. Due to U5/SFSS bargaining priority we will meet in early April to finalise ‘terms of reference’ and focus on actions. A second call out will be sent to the membership for participation.
CUPE National’s Anti-Racism Strategy identifies actions to challenge systemic racism in our workplaces, union and communities. It acknowledges that our union and locals must work towards meaningful change for Black, Indigenous and racialized members, including those with intersecting identities.
CUPE BC Racialised Workers Committee has created a ‘glossary of terms’ that we hope to have available very soon.
Young Workers
This committee is now up and running, stay tuned for the first engagement in April!
Social
Are you energized by talking and connecting with colleagues? The social part of membership engagement is a fun way to step into union work without having to attend meetings! Please let us know if you would like to be involved in creating greater engagement among colleagues.
Upcoming Events/Dates of Importance
Please let us know of any events and/or cultural days of significance that would be important to highlight. Once we have a more robust exec board and stewards, the Local will be able to step into more social and political engagement.
Upcoming Dates of Importance
-
March 8 | International Women’s Day
-
March 15 | International Day to Combat Islamophobia
-
March 21, 2025 | International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
-
March 25 | International Day of Remembrance for Victims of Slavery and Transatlantic Slave Trade
-
March 31 | International Transgender Day of Visibility
-
March 31 | Indigenous Languages Day
CUPE Updates & Resources
Did You Know…
-
Reporting a safety incident to your supervisor is one step in addressing safety concerns. SFU Safety & Risk Services also recommends submitting the formal safety incident report.
-
(For all units) … that your employer has a Duty to Accommodate?
Employer role: Once an employer has been made aware (either by the union or the employee) of a disability or medical condition requiring accommodation, they must begin the process of finding a reasonable accommodation.
Worker role: has a duty to disclose the general nature of their disability and any restrictions to the employer. This information makes it possible for the employer to properly accommodate the worker. The worker must provide sufficient information concerning limitations, however revealing an actual diagnosis is not always necessary and should be avoided wherever possible.
Union role: The union must be actively involved in the process of accommodation.
Read more: https://cupe.ca/what-duty-accommodate-0
-
If you have a question about your workplace, it is likely others are wondering the same thing! We are considering starting up a sort of workers’ rights advice column in future newsletters. Please feel free to send in questions you would like to see answered in an “Ask CUPE” style.
To keep up with our most recent news, please visit https://cupe3338.ca for union updates.
To contact the union: 778.782.5494 or info@cupe3338.ca. Offices are in AQ 5131 and 5132 and drop ins are welcomed but it’s recommended to schedule an appointment.