Dear Members,

Your Executive Committee has unanimously passed a motion to hold a strike vote on September 25, 26, and 27. This strike vote is essential for members to tell SFU we are serious about protecting the future of our jobs.

Since our contract expired two years ago, the employer has consistently blocked our attempts to bargain in good faith. The University has steadfastly refused to seriously consider a single one of our proposals, despite offered sacrifices on the part of CUPE 3338 members. We are holding a strike vote because we need to show the employer that we are willing and ready to take action if SFU persists in stalling negotiations for a fair and reasonable contract.

We need to refuse

–       4 more years of “zeroes”

–       the possible loss of significant pension benefits

–       a drastic reduction in sick leave benefits

–       scheduling provisions that could end two-day weekends

When members vote YES in favour of a strike, they will be saying

–       YES, I want a fair and reasonable wage increase

–       YES, I want to protect my pension

–       YES, I will protect my rights

–       YES, I stand behind my union negotiators

 You will need a piece of photo ID with you to vote.

Polls will be open on:

 September 25, 8:30am – 4:30pm

Burnaby Campus, Halpern Centre, Room 123

Harbour Centre, Room 2065

 September 26, 8:30am – 4:30pm

Burnaby Campus, Halpern Centre, Room 111

 September 27, 8:30am – 4:30pm

Burnaby Campus, Halpern Centre, Room 123

Surrey Campus, Podium 2, Room 2746

 If you are unable to make it to a polling station to vote on those days, you can request a mail-in ballot. Mail-in ballots must be requested no later than 1:00 pm on September 19, and returned to us no later than 5:00 pm on September 27.

To make this strike vote happen, we need your help! We need members to step up and volunteer at the polling stations on September 25, 26, and 27.

We need at least six people to act as “Deputy Returning Officers” to administer the vote, and at least six “Scrutineers” to ensure the fairness of the vote. The tasks for polling days will be very straightforward.

CUPE 3338 will pay “H Time” (your lost wages) if you are helping out during hours that you would normally be working. Remember that you will need your supervisor’s permission to be absent from work on union business. This is a great opportunity to get involved with your union!

If you would like to help out, or need more information about polling days, don’t hesitate to email us back.

Sept. 7, 2012                                                                                                                                      #4

 Strike Vote set for Sept. 25, 26, 27

Your Executive and Bargaining Committee agree — we need a strong strike mandate. The Executive has unanimously passed a motion to hold our strike vote at the end of this month.

The employer has consistently blocked our attempts to bargain in good faith during the two years since our contract expired. After listing all the things that CUPE 3338 members should be willing to give up, the employer has refused to seriously consider a single one of our proposals.

We have been told that there is money in the university budget, but the employer won’t tell us how much. They have said that they fully intend to use any money available to try to fix the ailing SFU Pension Plan.

Where we stand

• Are we willing to let the employer decide if there are ‘leftover funds’ for us?
• Are we willing to accept more years of zeros?
• As older members, will we stand by while the employer destroys our pension plan?
• As younger members, do we want to see the hard-won benefits like vacations, sick leave and even weekends lost because we weren’t willing to stand together?

It’s time to get informed about our ‘bargaining stalemate.’ It’s time to come to a CUPE 3338 town hall meeting and find out why you should vote “YES, I stand behind my union negotiators, YES, I will protect my rights and YES, I want a fair and reasonable wage increase.”

Town Hall Meetings

Drop by on any of the following dates to discuss collective bargaining and the importance of the upcoming strike vote one-on-one with members of your executive committee.

Surrey Campus: Monday, Sept. 10, 11am to 2pm Room 4010

Burnaby Campus:  Wednesday, Sept. 12, 8am to 1pm Halpern Centre 114

Vancouver Downtown Campus: Thursday, Sept. 13, 11am to 2pm Room 2200

Final Information Session: September 20th 12:30pm to 1pm. Via video conference in Burnaby – Halpern Centre Room 126, Vancouver – Room 2250, Surrey – Room 3150.