The University has announced changes to the Protocol for Application and Operation of Sick Leave Aggregation, effective October 1, 2017. We understand that some of you have questions about these changes and how they may affect you. 

Due to some of the feedback and inquiries we have received from members, the Union will be holding our own Q and A sessions for CUPE members only, at all three campuses. Union officers will be available to answer your questions and listen to your concerns. These meetings are for CUPE members only.

Tuesday, November 14: Harbour Centre 2200, 12:30-1:30pm

Wednesday, November 15: Surrey Campus 5320, 12:30-1:30

Monday, November 20: Burnaby Campus, Bennett Library 7200, 12:30-1:30

If you would like to ask specific questions or discuss issues confidentially, please feel free to contact Business Agent John Bannister at 778-782-4433 / businessagent@cupe3338.ca, or President Fiona Brady Lenfesty at president@cupe3338.ca.

Welcome to fall from your Local Executive Committee!

To date the local has had a very busy 2017! As discussed at the 2016 AGM, the local has made it a priority this year to develop a strategic plan. Planning meetings commenced in February; once in place, the strategic plan will help the local prepare for its future needs and work towards identified short, medium, and long-term goals. We will be sharing more details of the strategic plan at our AGM on November 22.

At the beginning of 2017 the local also sent six members to political action training held at the CUPE BC Regional Office. This workshop provided members with some very useful tools and skills which prepared them to go out and volunteer on various political campaigns in their own communities. It was a busy spring, especially with a provincial election being held on May 9^th.

In April the local sent a contingent of members to attend the CUPE BC convention in Victoria, BC.  The convention is always an exciting event and is an opportunity for members to engage with other activists and share their stories. One of the highlights of the convention was the Day of Mourning ceremony and march to the Parliament Buildings in honour of all those workers who have been killed on the job.

Members of the CUPE Pension Committee who sit on the Employees Joint Pension Committee (EJPC) continue to work on a proposal to improve pension plan benefits at SFU. The EJPC and members of the university administration continue to meet on a regular basis and we hope to have some concrete news for you later this fall. It has been a very, very, long process but CUPE and other members of the EJPC are very optimistic that we will have a proposal in place for everyone soon. There has been a very positive change in the tone of labour relations on campus and this has allowed for some very productive meetings and respectful conversation – a welcome change indeed!

Many of you may have noticed that the Highland Pub and Higher Grounds coffee shop are now closed as a result of a decision by the Simon Fraser Student Society to shut down its food and beverage operations. This was especially difficult for Unit 3 (SFSS Food and Beverage) members, as this decision saw the local lose 26 positions, 6 of which were continuing full-time CUPE staff positions, some with upwards of 10 years seniority. 

The local currently has a robust Grievance Committee, with many new stewards attending the “Introduction to Stewarding” course that the local hosted at Harbour Centre. Having an active Grievance Committee is one of our immediate goals. This allows the local to help provide assistance to those members who may be experiencing distress in their workplace. The local is always in need of more stewards, in all of our units, as each workplace has its own different sets of challenges.

Members of the Executive Board meet regularly with our Unit 5 members whose employer is the Simon Fraser Student Society. The SFSS Board has a new CEO who handles labour relations and employment issues.  The local meets once a month with the Unit 5 members and meets monthly with the employer to identify and help resolve issues of concern in the Unit 5 workplace. The new regime has meant for a more structured and regimented workplace. In addition, the workplace is evolving, and change can be difficult for members, but we are committed to making a better workplace for our members there.

Over the summer, after 6 days of mediation with the guidance of Jim Dorsey, the local and employer reached a settlement and protocol agreement on sick leave aggregation. This has been a long-standing issue for the local, with some of the grievances going back 17 years. In October Unit 1 members will be invited to attend lunch time meetings to find out about some the changes with respect to how your sick time hours will be aggregated going forward. Please plan on attending one of these upcoming information meetings.

As far as bargaining goes, the local is currently in bargaining for approximately 100 Unit 4 members who work for BEST Services, SFU’s cleaning contractor. We have launched a yellow button “Working for you at SFU” campaign for our BEST members, and are encouraging our BEST members to wear this yellow button on their uniforms whilst they are at work. The local has a few of the yellow buttons left, so if you are interested wearing one as a show of solidarity, please get in touch with the union office.

This past spring and summer saw the retirement of two of our long-serving activists:  Joann Field, from the Bookstore, and Lynne Fowler, from the Library – both former Presidents. This has left big shoes to fill, and was part of the impetus for the local to start planning for its future.  The local wishes to thank these two hard-working sisters for their many, many years (upwards of 20 years) of dedication and commitment to the labour movement and to both the AUCE and CUPE members at the SFU campuses! They will be well missed.

As we start the new Fall semester the local has number of upcoming events that we would like you to make note of:

1. On September 21, 2017 – there will be a Special AGM where we will receive nominations for the upcoming elections for those positions currently open. You must attend the meeting to accept your nomination in person, or if you are not able to attend this meeting you submit a written acceptance letter to Union Office by this date.  The local will also provide Committee updates and a Business Agent Report.
2. A September Social, on September 23, 2017 (check date) – it is time to gather off campus for some fun!  This event will be held at Rocky Point Park, and everyone and their family is welcome! Special thank you to our newly formed Social Committee for getting us going on this. Remember, RSVP to memberservices@cupe3338.ca by September 20^th for catering.
3. The Annual General Meeting – to be held on November 22

Respectfully yours and In Solidarity,

Fiona Brady Lenfesty, President, Local 3338 at SFU & our Executive Board:
Dave Chokroun,1^st Vice President
Craig Pavelich, Secretary-Treasurer
Chika Buston, Recording Secretary
Tom Peacock, Sergeant-at-Arms
Judy Zhu, Member-at-Large
Unit 4 (BEST) – Ann Mitchell
Unit 5 (SFSS) – Ed Deeks
Unit 6 (Grad Students Society) – Jeanette Ordóñez
Business Agent: John Bannister
Member Service Coordinator: Jan Gunn
Temporary CUPE National Service Rep: Ryan Boyce, filling in for Rachel Champagne.