Local Voice April 2011

Local Voice
Volume 6 | Issue #2 Spring 2011
Quarterly publication for members of the Canadian Office & Professional Employees Union, Local 378
CoPe 378 eleCTIoNS
ALSO INSIDE
2011 Elections
“Dumb” Meters
Dawn Black
ICBC Cash Grab
Lunar New Year
CONTENTS In This Issue
3 EDITORIAL COLUMN
by President Andy Ross
4 TRANSLATIONS
6 COPE 378 2011 ELECTIONS
8 PRESIDENT’S WORD
9 FAREWELL AND ThANkS TO

BOB DERBy
10 SMART METERS –
14
ThE LATEST “DUMB” IDEA exactly Where Does Christy Clark Stand?
FROM ThE BC LIBERALS
by Jim Sinclair
11 ACCENTURE – BC hyDRO
CONTRACT: STOP ThE
ROLLER COASTER
12 PREPARINg FOR ELECTIONS
13 NDP LEADERShIPS CANDIDATES

AT ExECUTIvE COUNCIL
16
14 ExACTLy WhERE DOES
ChRISTy CLARk STAND? Juan linares
By Dawn Black
15 FINDINg OUR POWER
16 JUAN LINARES RELEASED
17 ICBC CASh gRAB

by David Black
18 WISCONSIN: ThIS ShALL

NOT STAND
19 CELEBRATINg LUNAR NEW yEAR 19

20 BARgAININg UNIT BRIEFS Celebrating lunar New Year
22 100 yEARS OF INTERNATIONAL

WOMEN’S DAy
23 BARgAININg UNITS
24 ORgANIzED LAUghTER
President’s Opening Message
The Canadian Office and Professional Employees Union, Local
378 is affiliated with The Canadian Office and
Professional Employees Union, the British Columbia
Federation of Labour and the Canadian Labour Congress.
I
Canadian Office and Professional Employees Union, t seems as though there is an invigorating atmosphere of change and
Local 378, Executive Board Members: renewal all around us this spring. With ongoing remarkable changes in
President: Andy Ross
Secretary-Treasurer: Lori Mayhew
the international forum, at the provincial and national levels, and in our
vice Presidents: David Black (ICBC), gwenne Farrell communities, our union is no exception.
(BC hydro), Bob Derby (Combined Units) By the time this issue of Local Voice lands on members’ doorsteps,
Transition Officer: heather Lee
Accenture Business Services Directors: Lucas Meyer, Jeff Parker COPE 378’s 2011 elections will be well underway. Members should have
BC hydro Directors: Sharon Thomas, Patty McCann already received their ballot packages and candidate guides, and I hope
ICBC Directors: karin Cirez, Mike Ferguson, Elaine Fraser, that many have already sent their completed ballots back into the union
Jeff gillies, Joyce galuska
Combined Units Directors: Rob Maschek, Nathan vick, office. Pages six and seven of this edition of the magazine are devoted to
Tim Bouzovetsky election coverage, and there is also a substantial amount of information
Component A Finance and Allied Insurance vancouver Island
Director: Nancy Barrett
and resources available online at cope378.ca/elections.
Component B Finance and Allied Insurance Mainland I hope all members will take the time to review this information, look
Director: greg McDonald over their candidate guides, and make the decisions that are right for them,
Component C Trade Unions Director: Susan Orr
Component D Director: Position vacant and that will also help take your union in the direction that you want to see
Component E Manufacturing, Shipping, Transport Director: it move.
Timothy Weigelt Election speculation is also thick at the provincial and federal levels of
COPE 378 Communications & Campaigns: government. As we were putting this issue of Local Voice together, a fed-
Mike Bruce, Sage Aaron, Lori Winstanley
eral election was underway. Meanwhile, B.C. has a new Premier, who her-
COPE 378 Senior Union Representatives:
Dave McPherson, Brad Bastien, Jaime zygmunt
self is musing about a possible early election. As this magazine arrives on
doorsteps, the B.C. NDP will also be electing a new Leader of the Opposi-
COPE 378 Union Representatives:
Ardell Brophy, Jackie Brown, Teresa Davie, vic Foth, Jack tion, who will have to get ready to face off against the BC Liberals, whether
gerow, Barry hodson, kerrie Irving, Barbara Junker, Pat Junnila, this comes in 2011 or later. As if this wasn’t already enough, municipal elec-
Sarah Melsness, glen MacInnes, Bonnie Merriman,
Brian Nelson, kevin Payne, kelly Quinn, karen Rockwell,
tions are also scheduled for this fall across B.C. There are several COPE 378
kevin Smyth, Cynthia Wishart members who have been elected to municipal office across B.C., such as
COPE 378 Administrative & Office Staff: Tom Duncan in Duncan and Jonathan Cote in New Westminster. They are
Joanne Banfield, karen Caston, Elaine Chilman, probably already gearing up for their re-election campaigns, and I hope
Lise Cluff, Adele Earwaker, yudon garie, valerie LeBlanc,
Shelley Lockhart, Carol McLuskie, karen McRae,
members in other communities across the province are also considering
Amandeep Sandhu, kim Smith running this fall.
COPE 378 Financial Staff: I also want to draw your attention to the article on page 16 about the
Linda Allan, Sandi Malhame, Donna Morris, Bee Prentice release of Mexican labour activist Juan Linares from jail. Juan is a great
COPE 378 Financial Controller: inspiration to all of us and his release after a lengthy prison term serves to
Wendy ham, CgA demonstrate the incredible power that workers can have when they stand
Occupational Health & Safety & WCB Appeals: together. Juan was in prison on scurrilous charges for over two years, and
Steve Milne
could have been released at any time if he was willing to turn on his union
LTD Trust Administrator:
Jim Moynham
and its leader, Napoleon Gomez, from Los Mineros. He refused. But with
the workers of the world standing behind him and with rallies held across
the globe in mid-February, the Mexican government caved and Juan was
COPE 378 Local voice is the official quarterly magazine given his freedom.
published for the members of the Canadian Office and As a final note, I am retiring this May and
Professional Employees Union, Local 378.
ISSN 1918-9753 COPE Local 378 voice this will be the last issue of Local Voice where
Letters to the editor are welcome but may be edited for brevity I greet you as President. My message of fare-
and clarity. Please contact COPE Local 378 for permission to well and thanks is on page 3, but I also want
reprint articles, graphics or photographs. to take this opportunity to let members know
Address all correspondence to: what an immense pleasure and honour it has
COPE 378 Communications
2nd Floor, 4595 Canada Way been to work with you, to serve this union,
Burnaby, B.C. v5g 1J9 and that I look forward to standing shoulder-
Phone: 604-299-0378 Toll Free: 1-800-665-6838 to-shoulder with you all in the future.
Fax: 604-299-8211
visit COPE 378’s website at www.cope378.ca
or contact us via e-mail at editor@cope378.ca
Editor: Mike Bruce
Andy Ross
USW 2009 President, COPE 378
COPE 378 Local Voice vOLUME 6 Issue #2 Spring 2011 | 3

French
Tagalog
Spanish
Translations
of the
President’s
Message
4 | vOLUME 6 Issue #2 Spring 2011 COPE 378 Local Voice

Chinese
Punjabi

2011
COPE378.ca:
ELECTIONS your Source For Real Time Updates
M
embers and candidates should use cope378.ca as their source for up to the
minute information on election results, candidate resources, and any addition-
al information or bulletins.
When election results are certified following the counting of ballots on May 2,
cope378.ca will be the first place to check for current information. As soon as the Re-
turning Officer certifies the count and informs the candidates, COPE 378 staff will post
results online at cope378.ca/elections.
Members can also go to cope378.ca/elections to see a list of candidates approved
by the Returning Officer, see if any positions are vacant and if any candidates are ac-
claimed following the close of nominations.
Finally, cope378.ca/elections contains a detailed list of frequently asked questions
and answers for both candidates and voters. These cover a comprehensive range of
issues and questions about the elections process, procedures, and what candidates
and members can expect in the lead up to the count and the announcement of results.
vote!
By the time this issue of Local Voice lands in mail-
boxes, voting packages, including ballots, should have
already arrived at members’ households.
Packages will include all relevant ballots, security
envelopes to make sure that the secrecy of votes is
preserved, a postage-paid return envelope, and a Can-
didate Guide with information on who is running for
which positions.
If you haven’t received your ballot package yet,
please phone the Returning Officer right away at
604-299-0378, or toll free at 1-800-665-6838.
Ballots need to be returned to the union office by
5:00 PM on Friday, April 29th in order to be counted.
Please mail in your completed ballots as soon as pos-
sible to make sure that they have arrived by the voting
deadline, or drop your ballots off at the union office.
COPE 378’s union elections are your
chance to make sure that your voice is heard
2011 Union Elections: in the union, and to make sure you have
Candidate Guide your say in what direction this organization
for Members is headed.
www.COPE378.ca
COPE 378 is YOUR union. For the orga-

Canadian Office & Professional
Employees Union, Local 378
President and Secretary-Treasurer

All members get to cast a vote for the President and Secretary-Treasurer, who will be elected to an
18-month term in the 2011 elections.
nization to be the union you want it to be,
and to make sure the union is doing the work
The President and Secretary-Treasurer both sit on the Executive Board and Executive Council, with
the President serving as Chair.
Executive Board
COPE 378 Executive Board members will be elected for an 18-month term in the 2011 elections.
The Executive Board is made up of the President, Secretary-Treasurer and Executive Board Mem-
bers.
Executive Board members serve as the negotiating committee members for their bargaining units.
Table of ConTenTs
2
you want to see them focused on, please
Acclaimed Candidates
make sure you vote.

The Executive Board meets about once a month to handle the business affairs of the union.
The Executive Board will be responsible for the ongoing operation of the union and shall make 3 Candidates for Executive Board:
recommendations to, and report to the Executive Council.
Utilities ABS
Executive Board members generally head up the union’s committees.
Members at ICBC, BC Hydro, Accenture, and Combined-Finance and Insurance have more than
Ballots will be counted on Monday,

one Executive Board member. These members may place at-large votes for Executive Board
4 Candidates for Executive Board:
members, limiting their votes to the number of positions their unit has on the Board. Combined – Transit
cope378.ca Members who work at bargaining units in the Combined Units will elect one Executive Board
member from the category that their workplace is in. Please check cope378.ca/elections/posi- 4 Candidates for Executive Board:
May 2 and results will be posted online at

tions-constituencies for specific information on constituencies. Combined – Miscellaneous
The ballot that you receive in your voting package will specify which positions and how many
candidates you can vote for, according to your workplace and constituency.
5 Candidates for Executive Council:
Your source for Executive Council

ICBC
COPE 378 Executive Councillors will be elected for a three-year term in the 2011 elections.
The Executive Council is the legislative body of the union with the power to make and amend By-
Laws in the interest of all members.
6
Combined – Transitcope378.ca once they are certified by the
Candidates for Executive Council:
up to the minute The Executive Council meets at least five times a year.
Councillors act as Chief Job Stewards for members in their constituency or area. They assist Job
Stewards in their area with handling stage one grievances for members.
6
Combined – Labour
Returning Officer.
Candidates for Executive Council:
Councillors act as a governing body to approve or reject proposals on all matters of policy, By-
Laws or regulations.
8 How to Vote
information on Please vote and please make sure to get

The Executive Council also approves COPE 378’s annual budget.
Members will vote for candidates from within their constituency. The candidates that you can
choose from and the number of candidates you can choose (if more than one) will be clearly
displayed on the ballot that you receive.
your ballots in on time!

The ballot that you receive in your voting package will specify which positions and how many can-
election results,
didates you can vote for, according to your workplace and constituency. Please check cope378.
ca/elections/positions-constituencies for specific information on constituencies.
Ballot Deadline:
and candidate 5:00 PM, Friday April 29, 2011
All ballots must be received at the union office by 5:00 PM Elections 2011
resources

COPE378.ca: 2011
your Source For Real Time Updates ELECTIONS
Job Steward Election of COPE 378

Re-Appointment vice Presidents
In the coming weeks, all currently-serving COPE 378 Following the results of the election of the Execu-
Job Stewards will be receiving a letter asking them if they tive Board, Executive Council, President and Secretary-
would like to continue serving through the next term. Treasurer, a special Executive Council meeting is held
According to Article 8.2(c) in the COPE 378 consti- in May to elect COPE 378’s three Vice Presidents. Vice
tution, Job Stewards take office as of the union’s trien- Presidents are not elected directly in the union-wide
nial elections and hold office until the next elections. elections taking place in April, but are nominated and
These changes were implemented following a vote by elected by an expanded Executive Council that includes
delegates at the union’s 2009 Convention. chief stewards.
While there is no need to hold an election for the Members who have been elected to the Ex-
position of Job Steward, the union nonetheless requires ecutive Board can be nominated
that current Stewards state their willingness to serve. to run for one of the Acc laim
ed
d-
and lea to
The union has adopted this procedure in order to Vice President posi- illor in
ng ability
outstandi to union
1996, hisbrings clarity has served as
e vision
to provid m-solving and
proble Vice-Preside
the
nt
isory,
EnT Counc and
cutive ires confidence Board in 200
1 and the Adv
keep Job Stewards active and to confirm if currently- tions, which include PrESID AC k Exe ves on
David BLDavid was eles cte
d an cut ive ser
. David
insp
the Exe ittees and vi-
en evident s elected to law s Comm ittees and pre
wh wa He wa By- Comm
From 378 ion and ittees.
to COPEmbers’ issues. y 2005. ConstitutPension Comm ess’ Political
Action Main-
ership e Ma Lower
sing me ion and
serving Stewards wish to continue serving. This process one each for ICBC,
addres ICBC group sinc Political Act lding LTD., and Labour Congr il. y of the
ited Wa
for the union’s iew, Bui and Canadian Labour Counc tion, the Un
irs the itration Rev t Founda
David cha ns, Arb of Labour and Distric cou ver
atio era tion ver Van
Staff Rel BC Fed for the Vancou for the
on the rer ectors n. ers. ed
David is s the Treasu rd of Dir
also allows us to identify vacancies and recruit new Utilities, and Com-
me daught Acc laim
the Boa Fund for Wo ir three
ously wa formerly on ll e and the
s Mitche h his wif
David wa the Margaret inster wit m-
land, and in New Westm the me ly
2011 Union Elections:

s ship to fair
David live ed leader co-workers
Stewards to fill them. In addition, we are also seeking bined Units. Following
vid
has pro ly treat her
Er — Lori
rEASUr
ling
at ICBC uld not wil of members. ncial and
started de fina
TAry-T
Candidate Guide
wo
en she i knew they ting on behalf s. She has ma -Treasurer.
SECTrE
wh
yHEw s ago Lor
decade time at ICBC, uncillor, adv
oca finance on’s Secret ary
mber of
Lori MAone — over two sound as a me
to establish whether or not candidates for the Executive nominations, delegates

uni s
hin a sho
rt
Execut
ive Co ship andelected as the munity g Opportunitie
From day 378. wit cted as an ed leader was firs
t our com rkin
COPE ele balanc ader labrd of the wo
bers of 1993 she was needs 9, when she the bro
union serves Executive Boace 2007.
for Members
199
and by tha t a strong rity since mm itte e. She
and the unc il sin
ieves ty a prio n Co our Co
Council or Executive Board wish to continue serving from each group then
Lori bel ional stabili Pensio tion of Lab west Labour n.
ani zat CO PE 378 Fed era ne w ee chi ldre
org
chairs
the
il of the
BC of the their thr
sident th and
Lori alsocutive Counc g as the Pre
band kei
the Exe well as servin with her hus O
Fund, as rth Delta than TW
as Stewards regardless of if they are successful in their vote on their own vice Lori live
378 Ex
EC UT
s in no
IVE BO
ArD Vote for
no more e candidates
of thes
Stew-
COPE e a Job
idates for
g
n becam hard workin
election or not. president. Ca nd

S
Election Timeline How To Vote
g at Acc
six yea
and soo am
rs ago employer. I as an Execut
enture m before the in the role . Through
the 378 ted
ive
my
IES- AB Aw
GrEEnL PE 378March er sinc
e startin supporting ers of COPE ly and respec
what
UTILIT memb18: vances and g the membare treated fair gns. nion for
Board members and Councillors automatically The special Execu- Melanien an active CO in grie vin ers BALLOTS pai my opi e shown to
mbers mitment to sersure memb ion’s cam to voice y hav
ing me our Un
make in Pleaseice and to all steps
adhere t thein the voting procedure.
I have beeively rep
resent strongDeadline
ga
com rd fortosubmission of
nity and for just all the suppor
ard, act able and brin ame a Job Stewa forms
nomination commu ngth to stand Step 1for
Mark ballots for no greater than the number of candidates required by the ballot form.
ive in the stre Union
and reli mber. I bec e been act en me thank the Step 2 Place marked ballots in envelope labeled BALLOT and seal.
serve as Stewards in their workplaces. tive Council meeting

me hav has giv like to n be-
Board a Steward I PE 378 21:ion. I would
COMarch Step 3 Place sealed ballotcom municatio
envelopes incon
thefer-
information envelope and ensure that all of the
years as vided by l to the Un ties to grow. roved onvid eoinformation
lage pro gratefu opportuni allowed access to details are completed
te for impetings, set up
the envelope. You must sign the envelope or
The tutefor this I am ing usCandidates oca
ng adv your vote will not be counted.
is right; rkers and giv voters list n a stroorg many me ent. In
par-
wo has bee anized
Step 4 Place information envelope Agreem .in the Returning Officer envelope and return to the Union
Job Stewards may also be entitled to attend the May takes place on May 26 and
young 8, Lucasthis end, he has tion. office. llective
ME yE r rd in 200 . To t informa cur rent Co g out of Y-days and other
Lucas ing the Executive
April
Boa 1: at ABS tac our
t 5 Ballotscas hin ties
er con protec iticalatpar
mbership
its meDeadline ing of memb
Step
rked to ws banking
and must received
ple, pol
the Union office by 5 pm, April 29, 2011.
ce join and her for list of declared
as wo peo rer,
Sin on
the uni isted with the
gat tee, Lucguage that allo ting to kno
w ry Treasu
tween nominees
g comtoY-d
mitbe posted get VOTErS COnFIDEnTIALITy Secreta PrOTECTED
2011 expanded Executive Council meeting where Vice 27 at the Hilton Vancouver
lan
and ass the bargainin t ay nt time nt and
ences curren has spe You musthcompleteas Presideand sign the information envelope, otherwise the ballot is not counted.
mber of keep the activism and at ABS. suc not
on, does
As a mehe fought to April 5: This
uni prejudice the confidentiality of the ballot, since the Returning Officer, upon
political mbers ns in the receipt of yourive Board.
ticular, ieves in help our me positio cut ballot, adheres to the approved vote counting procedure in the presence of
also bel that couldDeadline the key
for candidate ns the the Exe
for scrutineers.
Lucas ing
Presidents are elected. Executive Board members are Metrotown in Burnaby.

ions ter of hav e. electio
organizat a sup por information
at larg packages and
the com
ing
is also
Lucas by the memb ballots
ership to be t him
sent in to members VOTE-COUnTInG PrOCEDUrE ckly
l suppor ay.He qui
elected you wil • The information envelope still is
rks tod olv
checked theisunion’s membership list to ensure that the
againstJeff
es that sently in good
wo inv ed. has378 and has not voted more than once.
Lucas hop individual he is apre
member and getstanding s. Jeff
of COPE
kApril 29: to act t negotiation l Centre
elected as Vice Presidents via secret ballot by elected

ere
l nOVA Deadline for receipt Thewh
ent• ure sealedpon sibility
ballot envelope
t contracis taken s Cal
from the information envelope and deposited
Michae g at Acc comunopened
es a resingincur ond
workin therenmaster the Edm
atballot box with all the other ballot envelopes.
Er of completed 5 whenat ion members enture dur Job Steward
200ballots trict La-
rk Dis
Jeff PA joined COunion
in by Un ers at Acc • All the ssealed
a ballot envelopes are then
andtaken from the
il master ballot box and counted.
PE 378 that wa ive Board. couver cutive Counc
righ ts earnedenting memb prior to This
office
Exe cut
procedure protects
of the
the Vanconfidentiality
Exe of your vote, but allows the Returning Officer to
Executive Board Members, Councillors, and delegat-

ker the res and to the er our
Jeff Par along with rep 8
Executive
mbmembersofvote, Lab and that each person voted only once.
mittee May 200 spring ensure thata me
only tion
learnedbargaining com May 2: ilor since if elected this ittee and BC Federa
unc Comm of the g Group.
on the Executive Cosecond Term You th Action t Officerrkers Workin er Gu ide | 3
n an Ballots
his counted 378and results a pas mb
on - Me
bee g for COPE He is Wo
runnin of the r Committee. ngress Young
and is -Chair posted
ion Electi
ed Job Stewards at the Policy Convention following the Co Worke our Co
Jeff is uncil Young Canadian Lab
378 |
2011 Un
bour Co mber ofMay the 5: COP E
and a me s www.COPE378.ca
Installationlect ion
of officers
Council
8.c a/e
the triennial elections.

cop e37
May 26/27:
Canadian Office & Professional Employees Union, Local 378
2nd Floor, 4595 Canada way, Burnaby, B.C. V5G 1J9
Election of Vice Presidents
Phone: 604-299-0378 Toll Free: 1-800-665-6838 Fax: 604-299-8211
Job Stewards serve as the representatives of the

vacancies
Ballot Deadline:
members in a respective bargaining unit. A Job Steward 5:00 PM, Friday April 29, 2011
All ballots must be received at the union office by 5:00 PM
serves as the spokesperson for the union and is a vital 8 | 2011 Union Election - Member Guide | COPE 378 cope378.ca/elections USW 2009
Following the union’s elections,

link between the membership and the elected leader-
there are often several Executive Coun-
ship. Stewards speak for their fellow members in the day
cil seats left vacant because no members chose to stand
to day relations between the union and management.
in those areas.
For many members who don’t attend union meetings,
However, this doesn’t mean that any vacant posi-
Stewards may be the only union representative with
tions remain empty until the next elections.
whom they come in contact.
If, following the elections, you find that the Execu-
Resources and information are available to Job
tive Council seat that represents your workplace is va-
Stewards through elected representatives, union staff
cant and you would like a co-worker to run, or would
representatives, and on the COPE 378 website.
consider doing so yourself, then please let the union
If you are interested in serving as a Job Steward, please
office know.
contact the union office. If you are currently a Job Stew-
It is important that all workplaces are represented at
ard and do not wish to continue in this capacity, please cope378.ca/elections
the union’s governing body.
help us maintain continuity in the workplace and help us
To see if there are any vacancies following the
recruit one or more new Stewards to fill your shoes.
close of nominations, and for detailed information on
which positions represent your workplace, please visit
cope378.ca/elections.

ANDy ROSS President’s Word
By ANDy ROSS, PRESIDENT
W
hen this issue of Local Voice arrives at mem- I leave the job of President knowing that, regardless
bers’ homes, our union will be in the last stages of who is elected, our union will continue to grow and
of the 2011 elections. Completed ballots will be strong.
be streaming into the union office, the Returning Of- I have considered it a privilege to have been elected
ficer will be making sure all the paperwork is in order, to serve as an Executive Board member, a Vice Presi-
and candidates will be eagerly awaiting the results of dent and finally as President.
the May 2 count. There are so many members and staff who not only
Before I say anything else, I want to remind you to made this possible, but also enjoyable and extremely
send your ballots in right away if you haven’t already rewarding. I want to thank them all but I want to thank
done so. All ballots must be received at the union office all of our membership for your support and guidance
by 5 PM on Friday April 29, so if you haven’t filled yours over the years. Even though I did not get to meet every
out and dropped it off in the mail, please do so right member in person, when tough times arose, I was al-
away. Once these ballots are counted, tabulated, and ways reassured and strengthened by your support.
certified, COPE 378 will have a new President… and I will I am extremely proud of the work our Local has
begin my retirement. done over the last six years. I owe a debt of gratitude
In the six years that I have had the pleasure to serve to the tireless work of our Table Officers and Executive
as President, and at the more than twenty years that I Board for bringing to life the many ideas and initiatives
have been a member and activist, I have been consis- over this period. They have worked tirelessly, both di-
tently amazed and impressed with the level of dedica- rectly in the workplace with traditional roles in bargain-
tion that our members have not only to their union, but ing, arbitration and Health and Safety committees, and
also to their communities. As I have toured the province also in the broader society at large.
with union representatives and elected officials, and vis- Local 378 members make us all stronger by being
ited members in their workplace or sat in on member- part of our local communities whether it’s running for
ship meetings, it has always been clear that COPE 378 public office of volunteering at the food bank. I encour-
members care deeply about their union, and they want age all members to get involved with your union to the
what is best for the future of this, your union. extent you can. Consider becoming a Steward or run-
ning for an elected union position, or maybe participat-
ing in one of the many events we are involved in.
I hope I keep seeing COPE 378 flags marching in
the annual Vancouver Pride Parade and those vibrant
red COPE 378 scarves in the Chinatown New Year Pa-
rade. Members also need to continue to be the voice
that pushes COPE 378 to support important and amaz-
ing community organizations like Habitat for Humanity,
Protein for People and Amnesty International.
I ask you to
So, thank you all for allowing me to work at the
please make sure greatest job in the province. I am looking forward to my
you vote, and to retirement but also looking forward to seeing COPE 378
encourage your become an even stronger and more effective voice for
co-workers to working people in British Columbia.
do so, too.
Andy Ross

A Farewell and Thanks to Bob Derby FAREWELL
Bob Derby at the

2010 Vancouver
Pride Parade
Bob Derby
A
nyone who has been to one of COPE 378’s social tain Bus Company, has been a long time union activist. Derby is retiring
events in the last five years has none other than First elected to the Executive Board in 2010, Derby had
following the
Vice President for Combined Units Bob Derby to previously served as an Executive Councillor and as Job
thank. And, if you have been to any one of these many Steward. He played a key organizing role in the mara- union elections
fun events, be it a baseball game or the annual breakfast thon 2001 transit strike in Greater Vancouver, and will this spring,
with Santa, you have no doubt had the opportunity to long be remembered for ordering the shutdown of the having served
meet this gregarious, affable, back-slapping Scotsman entire Surrey Gateway building with pickets after man- as Vice President
and social-planner extraordinaire. agers reneged on a picketing agreement.
for Combined
Derby is retiring following the union elections this But Derby’s lasting legacy at COPE 378 is the strong
spring, having served as Vice President for Combined foundation of social events he helped build, giving Units since 2006.
Units since 2006. During that time, Derby has been members from all bargaining units in different commu-
responsible for such marquee COPE 378 symbols as nities an opportunity to get together in a social setting
sending the union blimp into the skies at labour protests away from both the workplace, and from union busi-
and rallies, organizing the incredibly popular breakfasts ness. From a COPE-sponsored Sun Run Team to sum-
with Santa in several different communities, and orga- mer golf tournaments, union days at Hastings Race-
nizing a stockpile of COPE 378-branded office and lei- track, and hockey, football, and baseball games, Bob
sure materials to make sure that the union has a visible tried to make sure that there was something for every-
presence in the workplace and in the community. one, while also opening the doors to events in commu-
Bob has also worked tirelessly behind the scenes on nities around the province. For the last three years, Bob
such less glamorous, but crucially important, tasks as has also been at the helm of the multi-union pride float
modernizing the COPE 378 Constitution and By-Laws in the Vancouver Pride Parade, driving a truck comman-
and serving as one of the best on-the-ground cam- deered from our friends at CMBC.
paigners for the Take Back the Power campaign. Bob’s enthusiasm and will be missed and we wish
Derby, a mechanic supervisor at the Coast Moun- him well in his well-deserved retirement.

SMART
Smart Meters –
METERS The Latest “Dumb” Idea from the BC Liberals
By JIM SINCLAIR, PRESIDENT, B.C. FEDERATION OF LABOUR
“Here in B.C., if the meter program proceeds, bills

will rise 50 percent over five years...” – Jim Sinclair
I
t does have a certain appeal. further increase hydro bills for average consumers al-
Hydro puts a special meter in ready reeling from a 43 percent increase.
your house and every hour you Here in B.C., if the meter program proceeds, bills
can decide how much power you will rise 50 percent over five years.
want to use. Turn off the fridge, Worldwide, the jury is out on this technology. Aus-
save power. Turn off the hockey tralia has put its plans on hold. Other countries started
game, save power. Do your laun- strong but backed off when benefits did not match the
dry at 11 pm, save power. I guess costs. Health concerns recently caused the California
if this meter was free, why would Public Utilities Commission order utilities to allow con-
anyone argue with having more in- sumers to opt out of the program.
formation? Today our meters are read by British Columbians -
But this latest scheme – which about 400 hardworking men and women across the
will also kill 400 family-supporting province who will lose their jobs as a result of this move.
jobs at a time when when unem- The total savings to BC Hydro of firing all these people
ployment is reaching record levels in B.C. - will also cost will be $22 million a year. Just borrowing the $1 billion
British Columbians more than $1 billion plus tens of mil- at a 5% interest rate will cost $50 million annually. In ad-
lions every year in interest charges. dition, it will cost consumers (us) an additional $28 mil-
The Liberals snuck the program in without a re- lion annually to fire 400 people, and that doesn’t even
Jim Sinclair view by the B.C. Utilities Commission, and without include paying off the principle.
significant data to prove the whole idea is worth the So who is pushing for this?
money or the effort. Obviously the companies that make and install the
Has it worked in Ontario? That province led the way meters. It just so happens that the company that got
by spending $1.5 billion to put the meters in everyone’s the contract to install the meters (Corix) is owned by
house. Today opposition parties are calling for the pro- another company (CAI Capital Management) which is
gram to be scrapped completely because it has not headed up by a member of the B.C. Hydro board of di-
proven effective in lowering costs or conserving energy. rectors, Tracy McVicar.
In the face of new studies that show 80 percent of This is a direct conflict of interest.
Toronto residents saw an increase in hydro bills after the What makes this all the worse is that the decision to
meters were installed, both the Conservatives and the spend $1 billion was made without any approval from
NDP are saying the program should be scrapped. They the B.C.Utilities Commission, which is supposed repre-
are joined by an unlikely ally, the energy conservation sent all of us by reviewing this type of expenditure prior
group Energy Probe, who makes the case that the costs to approval. The Liberals short-circuited the process
of the meters for homeowners outweigh any savings and gave the go-ahead themselves. To make it more
because energy use is minimal in any case. interesting, the infamous David Emerson is also a key
Energy Probe studied the issue and concluded, player in the company as well.
“the costs of deploying the device outweighs its ben- However, there is another positive solution. Pre-
efits when used by low energy consumers such as mier Christy Clark could show real change by killing the
homeowners.” program, or at the very least sending it off for public
The meters are coupled with a new pricing system scrutiny by the utilities commission. This would save
that sees peak power (early morning and early evening) at least $1 billion, lower the proposed increases to B.C.
cost more than power late at night. In order to prove households by 10 percent to and save 400 family-sup-
the system might conserve power the Ontario govern- porting jobs.
ment is considering boosting the price of power at din- Now that would be putting “families first” and not
ner time and breakfast time to force more consumers BC Liberal insiders.
to pay more or change how they live. This will in turn

Accenture – BC hydro Contract:
Stop the Roller Coaster ACCENTURE
By SAgE AARON
A
ccenture is completing its re-bid for the 10-year As Local Voice went to press, the union did not
contract it began with BC Hydro in 2003. But in know what was going to come next, or where this story
early January of 2011, the union learned BC Hydro would end. What is known is that there is a unique op-
was considering compounding the outsourcing blun- portunity to advocate for a positive change in direction
der, putting COPE 378 jobs in peril. in order to protect both COPE 378 members and B.C.’s
Accenture then approached the union, fearful of public utility.
losing the BC Hydro contract. They asked to work with The union is encouraging its members – all mem-
the union and our members, and told COPE 378 that if bers, at Accenture and elsewhere – to get in contact
their bid was not accepted by BC Hydro, they would be with their MLAs. BC Hydro responds to government, so
excluded from consideration if the contract went out to COPE 378 members need to make their government
the open market. The work currently done by COPE 378 representatives respond to us. Our message is very sim-
jobs now at Accenture would likely be chopped up ple: our jobs are important to our communities and our
into several contracts and offered to lower bidders. public utility and deserve to be protected.
BC Hydro would be further fractured into unrecogniz- COPE 378 has draft letters and talking points ready
able pieces. for members to use and modify as they see fit. Email
Accenture’s solution is untenable; members would abscomm@cope378.ca to learn more and to get involved.
need to take millions of dollars worth of concessions,
during a time when Accenture publically bragged of sig-
nificant corporate profits. This is the rare opportunity to
Two months after approaching the union, Accen- make the ride stop.
ture switched direction considerably. They claimed they
would still be in the running for the contract should
BC Hydro decide to go out to market. Not so, said a
March 22 letter from BC Hydro CEO Dave Cobb to Sage Aaron
COPE President Andy Ross, lurching the story back in
the other direction.
The deadline is fast approaching: BC Hydro will
make its decisions on the bid between now and
May 31, 2011.
All of these twists and turns were against the
backdrop of a new premier coming to power in Vic-
toria, one keenly interested in differentiating her BC
Liberal government from her predecessor’s BC Lib-
eral government.
When trying to learn as much as possible about
the review of outsourcing, what BC Hydro is calling
the Long Term Sourcing Strategy, or LTSS, COPE 378
researchers scoured BC Hydro’s submissions to the BC
Utilities Commission, looking for any hint of the massive
proposed changes. There were no transparent, upfront
explanations or mentions of the LTSS.
The utilities watchdog, while severely disempow-
ered by the Clean Energy Act, remains the arena where
ratepayers and intervenors can examine BC Hydro’s
operations, costs and expenditures. COPE 378 wrote to
the Commission, asking BC Hydro to defend and ex-
plain the LTSS at the upcoming Revenue Requirement
Application (RRA). The RRA hearings were set to review
BC Hydro’s skyrocketing 50 percent rate increase over
five years.
One week later BC Hydro asked the BCUC to sus-
pend the RRA because the proposed rate hike was un-
der Ministerial review. Everything came to a screech-
ing halt.

POLITICAL
ACTION
Preparing for elections at three levels
COMMITTEE of government in 2011
By JEFF gILLIES, CO-ChAIR
The COPE 378 Political Action Committee is in the process of

preparing for elections at all three levels of government in 2011.
I
t seems certain that we will be having a Federal Elec- preference is to move the HST referendum from Sep-
tion this Spring. All of the federal political parties are tember 24th, 2011 to June 24th 2011.
engaged in heavy (and expensive) advertising and This has led many to speculate that Ms. Clark will
their leaders are touring across the country like an elec- call an early election, perhaps in the fall. In preparation,
tion is an inevitable. the COPE 378 Executive Council also passed a unani-
As Local Voice went to press, Stephen Harper’s mous motion to endorse the British Columbia New
Conservative government was expected to introduce Democratic Party.
a budget which will include even deeper corporate tax In this case, we also feel that the B.C. NDP, like the
cuts than they have already implemented. All indica- Federal NDP, represents the best option for working
tions to date have been that all of the opposition parties people. Historically the B.C. NDP has respected work-
are expected to vote against the budget. If this happens, ers rights and stood with our union to support public
and by the time Local Voice lands in members’ mail- institutions such as BC Hydro and ICBC. In contrast,
boxes we should know if it has or not, this will trigger the BC Liberal government broke up BC Hydro, sold off
an election. water and power rights to large corporations, and has
At the point at which I am writing this, the pundits taken almost a billion dollars from ICBC to hide their
were predicting that the election day would be early mismanagement of the provincial finances (while main-
May 2001. The possibility of an election looming, the taining a pay freeze at ICBC and across the public sec-
COPE 378 Executive Council voted unanimously in late tor). In addition, the Liberals have closed schools, un-
February to endorse the New Democratic Party. derfunded healthcare, and have attacked public sector
At the same time, your union’s Political Action unions.
Jeff Gillies Committee is also encouraging all members to vote in Put simply, after 10 years of destruction, it is time
the federal election, to get involved in your local cam- for a change.
paigns, and we ask that you consider voting for the NDP, We urge all of our COPE 378 members to support
as we believe that Jack the B.C. NDP if a provincial election is called in 2011,
Layton and the NDP best and to help out on the phones and the doorsteps, take
represent the interest of a lawn sign, and donate to a local campaign.
working people. In addition to these two elections, the Political Ac-
It is also seems tion Committee is continuing with preparations for the
highly possible that we municipal elections this fall. As always, we strongly en-
will be having a pro- courage COPE 378 members to consider running for
vincial election in 2011. office in their respective communities. If you are inter-
On February 26, the BC ested in being a candidate in the upcoming municipal
Liberal Party held their elections please contact me at the union office and we
Leadership Conven- can discuss how we can help you achieve this goal.
tion. Former BC Liberal Finally, if you are interested in joining the Politi-
Cabinet Minister Christy cal Action Committee so that you can help direct the
Clark won on the third union’s political action activities, or of you are interested
ballot and became the in getting involved elsewhere in the political process,
leader of the BC Liberal please send me an e-mail at jgillies@cope378.ca.
party, and by default, the
Premier of British Co- E-mail: jgillies@cope378.ca
lumbia. Ms. Clark was
sworn in as Premier on
March 14th and has al-
ready indicated that her

B.C. NDP Leadership Candidates
Tackle the Issues at COPE Executive Council NDP
B
.C. NDP Leadership contenders Adrian Dix, Horgan also noted the BC Liberals’ attempted
Mike Farnworth, and John Horgan attended the sleight-of-hand with regards to ICBC revenues, pay-
COPE 378 Executive Council meeting in March ing homage to COPE 378 for uncovering the cash-grab
to talk to members about issues facing B.C., the New and bringing the scandal out into the light of day. “This
Democratic Party, and their different visions for the is why we need to win the next election,” Horgan said.
province and the party. “Not because they’re the worst government we’ve ever
Members of the B.C. NDP are set to elect their new had – though they may well be – but because they
leader on April 17, and this was a chance for the three don’t tell the truth.”
contenders to address the specific issues that COPE 378 Next, COPE 378 Councillors lined up to ask the
members are concerned about, alongside other issues three candidates a variety of policy questions, rang-
that are also being faced by all British Columbians. ing from green initiatives, to their support of labour
Farnworth, Horgan, and Dix all emphasized the im- code reforms.
portance of New Democrats uniting and working to- As Local Voice went to press, B.C. NDP members
gether to ensure that Christy Clark and the BC Liberals were waiting for their voting packages and preparing to
are defeated in the next election and make sure that we vote. More information on the future debates, and other
have a government that works for all British Columbi- events, can be found at bcndp.ca.
ans, not just the special interests represented by Clark,
Gordon Campbell, and their team. COPE 378 Executive Board Member Lucas Meyer (ABS) asks Farnworth,
Following their opening statements, the three can- Dix, and Horgan a question about Smart Meters and Accenture.
didates all had a chance to answer both COPE 378-spe-
cific questions, and general questions put to them from
the floor.
The first of those questions focused on BC Hydro,
the repatriation of Accenture to the crown corporation,
and whether or not they would scrap the Smart Meter
initiative. The three candidates were virtually stepping
on top of each other to condemn Smart Meters, with
all pledging to scrap the program, while also disparag-
ing the BC Liberals for dismantling BC Hydro, selling off
its parts and B.C. rivers and streams, and hobbling the
crown jewel of B.C.’s public resources.
The next question from COPE focused on ICBC,
and the BC Liberals’ billion-dollar cash grab.
This question actually provoked a rarity in the lead-
ership debates: a difference in opinion from the candi-
dates. Mike Farnworth, who was the opposition critic for
the Solicitor General and has been the Minister respon-
sible for ICBC, stated that no, this money should not be
used for general revenues. Farnworth also expanded on
One of the
the valuable role that crown corporations like ICBC and
questions posed
BC Hydro play in our economy, our communities, and
our families, and that the government needs to provide by COPE 378 to
the environment and direction for this to happen. the candidates,
Horgan and Dix both spoke to the possibility of with Farnworth,
some of the revenues from ICBC, and dividends from Horgan, and
other crown corporations, being used for public ser-
Dix in the
vices in British Columbia.
Dix lambasted the BC Liberals for hiding the cash background.
grab by burying it deep in their budget documents. Dix
also noted the need to expand the role of crown cor-
porations in B.C. and to ensure that they have the ability
to provide the services to British Columbians for which
they were intended.

DAWN
BLACk Exactly Where does Christy Clark Stand?
By DAWN BLACk, INTERIM LEADER OF ThE OPPOSITION
“Ms. Clark must deliver more than just words...” – Dawn Black
W
ith Christy Clark’s ture, she confirmed she won’t bring in a new budget to
victory in the BC address the challenges families face.
Liberal leadership Sadly, these latest decisions by Ms Clark only so-
race, British Columbia has lidify the impression that she’s more of the same. They
a new Premier who says put the lie to her claims of ‘change’, and they only
she’ll deliver dramatic serve to remind people of her record as a BC Liberal
and immediate change. cabinet minister.
But, since taking the top Contrary to what she’d have British Columbians
job, she’s done little to believe, Ms. Clark was a senior insider in the Campbell
demonstrate her prom- government. She was at the cabinet table when the BC
ised change. Liberals made their most extreme decisions, from freez-
Whether it’s the sky- ing the minimum wage, to selling off public assets like
rocketing hydro rates and BC Rail.
lack of affordability, or is- Ms. Clark says she’ll put families first. It’s another
sues related to poverty, big promise from a person who, when she was a senior
First Nations and public minister in the Campbell government, made decisions
services, Ms. Clark has that made life more difficult for families.
refused to provide details Here are just a few examples:
on how she’ll undo the When Ms. Clark was Minister for Education and
damage BC Liberals have later for Children and Families, the Campbell govern-
done. ment closed over 100 schools, eliminated before and
Let’s just look at one example. after school care for children, cut funding for Women’s
With a pending 50 per cent increase to BC Hydro Centres, doubled tuition fees and closed thousands of
rates, I, along with New Democrat energy critic Doug long-term care beds.
Donaldson, offered concrete steps Premier Clark can That’s Ms. Clark’s past record as a Campbell insider.
Dawn Black take now to protect families. Her lack of commitment on issues since becoming the
We called on her to start by suspending BC Hydro’s head of the BC Liberals only continues that theme.
$1-billion Smart Metering Program and by bringing She must realize that after 10 years of BC Liberal ne-
over billions in planned capital spending by BC Hydro glect, people of B.C. want more than mere platitudes.
back under the purview of the B.C. Utilities Commission Ms. Clark helped set the BC Liberals on the course
(BCUC). they’re on today – a government that is out of touch,
Under the BC Liberals, BC Hydro has lost its citizen- out of ideas and out of gas – a government that has lost
focused mandate, which must be central to a crown the trust of British Columbians.
corporation. And they’ve taken away critical BCUC Now she wants us to believe she can deliver the
oversight. change British Columbians are looking for – but refuses
We reminded her, if she’s honest about her prom- to say how.
ises, she must take action now to protect families and If Ms. Clark wants to earn the public’s trust – she
the economy. But she’s refused to act on our call. must deliver more than just words.
And that’s not all. Since taking over, Ms Clark has let Sadly, so far, Ms. Clark seems better at promising
British Columbians down in two other significant ways. change than actually delivering it.
At a time when the public is demanding answers on
why the government paid out $6 million on a guilty plea
for BC Liberal insiders, she’s rejected an independent
review to get to the bottom of the affair.
And during her very first appearance at the Legisla-

Finding our Power: Stories of the Canadian Office hISTORy
and Professional Employees Union, Local 378 BOOk
FROM ThE FOREWORD, By ANDy ROSS
O
ver the years, Local 378 has become a compel- Finding our Power is a book that brings together Locals 378 and 15
ling voice for change and fairness in this prov- many of our stories. It highlights our more recent past, march together
ince, taking on and defeating powerful employ- and summarizes our history from our days as a social at a rally against
ers and adversaries, from provincial governments bent club in 1918 to the modern union of the early 1990s
minimum wage
on privatizing our natural resources and public utilities and our new role as social justice activists. In the final
to ruthless multinational corporations motivated always chapter, we look to the work we are doing outside of control Bills 19 and
by profits over people. Our story is not just the story of collective bargaining and acknowledge that the future 2- in the late 1980s.
a union fighting for the wages and benefits of its mem- of the union, and the labour movement itself, depends
bers (though of course, it is very much that story too), on engaging those beyond the union’s borders.
but the story of an organization that reaches beyond its
borders and self interests to take on causes that have
changed the face of this great province.
Our members have engaged in policy debate and
political action on a scale that has influenced the topic
of conversation around the dinner tables of British Co-
lumbian families, and ultimately decision-making at the
highest levels of government.
Book Launch
Finding Our Power was launched at the 2011 COPE 378 Job Steward Seminar in Vancouver,
with SFU History Professor Mark Leier telling us why histories like these are important, needed,
and contribute to the broader field of knowledge of what workers have contributed.
Leier, with banjo in hand, gave an energetic and often emotional presentation that gave an
overview of the incredible importance and amazing contributions that workers have made to
Canadian culture, politics, and social justice. History is often told through the lens of the state,
capital, and the bosses, but Leier reminded us that history is actually the experience and con-
tribution of ordinary working people. These lessons, Leier explaines, are the lessons that “they”
would like us to forget.
The lesson we need to remember, Leier said, is that history such as that of COPE 378 is
important, that it helps counter the historical narrative of the state and the bosses, and that
COPE 378 members make a contribution each and every day.
Members of the Save the Track coalition at Hastings Racetrack who

successfully worked to save the racecourse and hundreds of union jobs.

Juan Linares, Mexican Labour Leader,
IN MExICO Released from Prison
By MIkE BRUCE, COPE 378 COMMUNICATIONS
I
t was with great joy, relief, and deep respect that When asked if he needed anything, Linares demurred.
COPE 378 heard about the release of Juan Linares on When pressed, he admitted that he was overjoyed at
February 24 from a jail in Mexico City. the smoked salmon a previous delegation from B.C.
Linares, an aide to Los Mineros Secretary General had brought him, and his visitors were only too happy
Napoleon Gomez, had been held on scurrilous charges to make arrangements for more B.C. smoked salmon to
since returning to Mexico from the B.C. Federation of be delivered to him in prison.
Labour convention in 2008.Despite several judicial or- During Ross’ visit, Linares said that thinly-veiled rep-
ders that he be released, Linares was held in prison. resentatives of Grupo Mexico came to the prison and
While in prison, Linares had been offered frequent offered Linares five million pesos (approx $2.5 million,
bribes and promises of release, alongside a large sum CAD). All he had to do, they said, was renounce Napo-
of cash, if he were prepared to condemn Los Mineros leon Gomez and Los Mineros, and he could walk free as
and Gomez. a millionaire.
For over two years, he refused and remained locked Linares refused, and remained in prison… until February.
in his Mexico City jail cell. COPE 378 members joined workers from across
Linares is a close aide to Napoleon Gomez, who the labour movement in rallying to support Linares. The
is living in exile in Vancouver as a result of trumped- United Steelworkers held fundraisers in support of Lin-
up charges and repeated death threats orchestrated ares and his family, and members lined up to buy “Free
by the Mexican Government and mining giant Grupo Juan Linares” t-shirts at Executive Council meetings,
Mexico. Gomez, who was forced to flee Mexico, has Steward Seminars, and conventions. Gomez also came
received ongoing support from the United Steelwork- to COPE 378 events to tell members of the hardship,
ers alongside numerous pledges of solidarity from the horrors, and violence that union activists faced in Mex-
B.C. Labour Movement. ico, and to personally tell of the injustice that his friend
Linares was in B.C. to and companero Juan had endured.
attend a speech given by Linares’ release comes on the heels of Global Days
Gomez’ to Federation del- of Action for trade union rights in Mexico, held in cities
egates, and was subse- around the world in mid-February. A rally in Vancou-
quently arrested at the air- ver and subsequent meeting with the Consul General
port when he returned to of Mexico was held in conjunction with similar rallies,
Mexico. Another colleague protests, marches, and meetings with senior diplomatic
who was also in Vancou- officials around the world.
ver with Linares was also “There is little doubt that the actions taken last
arrested at the same time, week and the international demonstration of the power
but was released shortly that workers have when they stand together helped
thereafter and allegedly get Juan released today,” said Ross. “Around the world
bribed to turn on Gomez workers stood shoulder to shoulder in solidarity with
and Los Mineros. workers in Mexico and this, combined with the ongoing
Linares, however, re- work of unions and activists around the world, shows
fused to turn despite sev- us once again that workers can achieve great things,”
eral direct offers of release added Ross.
For over two years, Juan Linares,
and cash rewards from In a congratulatory letter to Gomez, Ross wrote:
an aide to Los Mineros Secretary emissaries believed to be “We have a great deal more work to do, brother,
General Napoleon Gomez, tied to Grupo Mexico. but with this victory today and with the reminder of the
remained locked in a Mexico COPE 378 President strength and power that comes when workers stand
City jail cell. Andy Ross visited Linares in together, I remain even more committed to standing
jail in April 2010 with a del- shoulder-to-shoulder with Los Mineros as we move
egation of Canadian and forward. This is a great day for Los Mineros, for the free
American labour represen- unions of Mexico, and most importantly, for Juan.”
tatives. Ross reported at
that time that Linares was
a true inspiration and an
incredible trade unionist.

government Once Again Caught
with its hand in the ICBC Cookie Jar ICBC
By DAvID BLACk
W
ith the BC Liberals still running budget-busting
deficits, the government is once again looking
to ICBC to try and offset its own financial in-
competence, while still telling COPE 378 members “no”
to negotiated pay raises.
Such was the scene that emerged from the provin-
cial budget released on February 15 – a rather sad and
anemic budget pumped out in Gordon Campbell’s dying
days just before he passed the torch to Christy Clark.
While now-Premier Clark is sure to try and spin
herself as a “fresh face” who isn’t accountable for the
incompetence and corruption of Gordon Campbell’s
administration (despite the fact that she served as his
Deputy Premier), you can rest assured that Christy’s
hand is sure to replace Gordo’s in the ICBC cookie jar.
After all, ICBC is just making too much money for
the BC Liberals to resist, especially with such a huge
deficit still lingering.
Once again, this year’s cash grab was deeply buried
in the government’s books. After COPE 378 exposed this
unprecedented cash grab last year, the BC Liberals’ spin
doctors left the diversion – of some $990 million over
3 years – out of the main budget document altogether.
This left us to comb through the budget, page-by-page,
before finally finding the trail of cookie crumbs in ICBC’s
annual Service Plan.
In the meantime, while COPE 378 is sitting down
with ICBC at the bargaining table, ICBC is still con-
strained by the government-imposed wage freeze, with
the very workers who help ICBC make so much money
being told that the government can’t afford to allow any
pay increases.
At the same time, drivers are being given only token
rate reductions, and accident benefits remain stagnant We believe that ICBC exists as a service for
and far below acceptable levels. The government needs British Columbians, not as a secret revenue
to stop gouging drivers through too-high insurance stream to offset the government’s deficit. David Black
rates, and instead give this money back to the people
who deserve it: drivers, workers, and accident victims.
ICBC has been a successful and profitable service
for British Columbians, but rather than enhancing that
service by lowering rates and giving something back to
B.C. drivers, the government is using ICBC as a cash cow.
Here at COPE 378, we believe that ICBC exists as a
service for British Columbians, not as a secret revenue
stream to offset the government’s deficit.
It remains to be seen if a new Premier will do things
any differently than Gordon Campbell did.

ShOULDER
TO
ShOULDER Workers Standing Shoulder to Shoulder in Wisconsin
By MIkE BRUCE
I
n the face of an extraordinary assault on workers’ As the legislation approached, Wisconsin’s 14 Dem-
rights in the United States, workers, unions, allies, and ocrat State Senators fled the state in order to deprive
citizens have demonstrated an equally extraordinary the chamber of a quorum necessary to vote on a bud-
show of solidarity and fortitude in the state of Wiscon- get bill.
sin. As the Republican-dominated government, led by This effectively stalled the bill, and thousands of
newly-elected Governor Scott Walker, has sought to protestors filled Madison, occupying the Capital Build-
use the state’s fiscal woes as a disguise of sheep’s cloth- ing, to defend workers’ rights.
ing to strip public sector unions of their rights to bargain International labour federations also weighed in.
for their members, workers from across the US, and The UNI Global Union Federation and ICEM, both of
many from Canada, have gathered in the state capital of whom COPE 378 works with, have expressed their soli-
Madison, to state “this shall not pass”. darity with workers in the US. The COPE 378 Executive
Governor Walker, along with Republican allies in the Council also voted in February to write a letter to Gov-
state legislature and Senate, have proposed a budget ernor Walker condemning his initiative and urging dia-
“... public that includes an ideological attack on workers every- logue and an end to this divisive approach.
where. The first measure of the budget bill effectively At the same time, similar battles erupted in states
employees are
amounts to a pay cut for thousands of workers; public such as Indiana and Ohio, as ideologically-motivated
being forced employees are being forced to dramatically increase Republicans sought to crush workers’ rights; effectively
to dramatically their own payments into their health and pension ben- an effort to try and shatter their opposition, which works
increase their efits, benefits which had been negotiated and agreed to closely with the Democrats in the much the same way
own payments by both sides in the collective bargaining process. that big business finances the Republicans.
into their health
The unions have actually agreed to these measures, As Local Voice went to press, the battle was entering
acquiescing that the state’s fiscal crisis is everyone’s to a new phase, but the show of strength and solidarity not
and pension
bear and that their members are prepared to help bear only remained, but seemed even stronger. Unions and
benefits...” this burden, even though it amounts to take-home pay Democrats had, it seemed “lost the battle,” as one of the
– Mike Bruce cuts of six to eight per cent. State Senators said. The Republican Senate passed the
This is despite the fact that the financial crisis cur- draconian limitations on bargaining rights by removing
rently hobbling the US is not in any way the fault of the it from the budget bill and thus sidestepping the quorum
workers. Yet this always seems to be the way it is; bank- requirement. They did this in a hastily-called session of
ing and finance cause a massive financial collapse that the Senate which did not even give the Democrat Sena-
is enabled by compliant governments, who then fall tors any opportunity to attend (they were in hiding in
under the strain. Employers, be they the government or Illinois to prevent the chamber achieving quorum).
private industry, then seek to place the pain that they With the measure passed, the Senators returned
themselves caused or facilitated, on the backs of work- to the Capital three weeks later, having been assessed
ers. Then, not only are workers subjected to this finan- fines and had their pay withheld, but to a hero’s wel-
cial strain, but they also have to endure the rhetoric and come. Estimates placed the crowd in Madison at over
the disparaging comments of their own governments. 100,000 with allies from across the state.
But, the real affront comes not from budget woes, Recall efforts are now underway for a number of
but something rooted more deeply in a dark, anti-union Senators, with a hope that the balance in the Senate can
ideology. Governor Walker is actually attacking the be overturned.
rights of unions to exist at all. He is forcing all unions And while the battle does, indeed, seem to be “lost”,
to vote every year on whether or not to stay unionized, the fight for workers’ rights has never been easy and
limiting collective barging to wages (thus forbidding is- never been short. Workers in Wisconsin, and through-
sues like benefits, pensions, or health and safety), strictly out the US, clearly feel that they now have the momen-
limiting the ability to negotiate pay raises and making tum. Workers’ ranks have been energized. In the long
them subject to a referendum, and refusing to collect struggle for workers’ rights, in Wisconsin and around
union dues. the world, an attack on one is an attack on all and work-
Bill Clinton’s Secretary of Labour, Robert ers themselves will respond in kind.
Reich, quoted in the New York Times, stated
“Wisconsin state workers have already sig-
naled their willingness to give the governor
what he wants in concessions — they just
don’t want to give up the right to bargain.”
Mike Bruce

Lunar New year Celebrations NEW yEAR
Vancouver Chinatown New Year Parade
C
OPE 378 members walked in the Vancouver Chinatown
New Year Parade for the fourth year in a row, joining
thousands of spectators on this rainy February morning.
Handing out custom-made COPE 378 traditional red en-
velopes with a chocolate coin in them, COPE members wore
their trademark red scarves as they wove through the streets of
Chinatown.
This year, the union’s multicultural committee wanted to
add a fundraising element to participation in the parade and
collected donations for the Simon k.y. Lee Seniors Care home
in vancouver.
A group of members then visited the home in early March
and were treated to a tour of this amazing facility. COPE 378
matched members’ contributions, and Vice President David
Black presented the centre with a package of donations.
The Seniors Centre, which is associated with the
S.U.C.C.E.S.S. social service agency, provides a comfortable and
culturally sensitive environment for seniors to get the care they
need, in the heart of their community.
The COPE 378 Multicultural Committee was pleased to
have the opportunity to give something back to the community
and to use the annual Lunar New Year parade to raise funding
for such an immaculate facility.
If members are interested in making a donation to the Si-
mon K.Y. Lee Seniors Care Home, please contact them directly
at 604-608-8800 or online at www.success.bc.ca/mlc.
www.success.bc.ca/mlc

BARgAININg
UNIT BRIEFS BARgAININg UNIT BRIEFS: SPRINg 2011 EDITION
By CAROL MCLUSkIE AND kIM SMITh
BEACh PLACE vENTURES (BLACkTOP TAxI) these proposals with members. The parties will be meeting in the near
The collective agreement expires on June 20, 2011. Bargaining surveys future to continue negotiations.
will be sent to members and notice to commence bargaining will be The bargaining committee consists of Mike Ferguson, Elaine Fraser,
sent to the employer in late spring. Karin Cirez, Jeff Gillies, Joyce Galuska, David Black and Jaime Zygmunt,
Preparations are underway to elect a bargaining committee and the Senior Union Representative.
chief spokesperson for the bargaining committee is Union Representa- ISLAND SAvINgS CREDIT UNION AND INSURANCE
tive Jackie Brown. Following three days of negotiations, a tentative agreement for COPE
BONNy’S TAxI 378 members was reached in February. Highlights of the two-year
The collective agreement for Bonny’s Taxi in Burnaby expires June 30, agreement include a 2.5 % pay increase in the first year and 2.75 % in the
2011. Bargaining surveys will be sent to members and notice to com- second, and $600 (rolling) for vision care. Additional highlights include
mence bargaining will be sent to the employer in late spring. improvements to RRSP contributions (10.25% effective July 1, 2012), sick
Preparations are underway to elect a bargaining committee and the leave accumulation carry-over, severance pay provisions, and supple-
chief spokesperson for the bargaining committee is Union Representa- mentary vacations. There are also a new provision for reasonable work
tive Jackie Brown. load, harassment language, and several other new improvements to
language and inclusions in the collective agreement. Visit cope378.ca
BCgEU
for full details on the new agreement.
The collective agreement at the BCGEU expired on March 31, 2010. The
The bargaining committee included Sandy Gill, Nancy Barrett, Leanne
parties have negotiated a tentative deal which was being considered by
McAllistster, and Jack Gerow will be the union representative.
the membership when Local Voice went to press. The bargaining com-
mittee is recommending ratification. MTU (MASTER TRADE UNION)
The bargaining committee consists of Sherry Baker, Karon Hardy, Sarah Maglio, A new collective agreement was reached for members covered by the
Carrol Edwards- Alternate and Bonnie Merriman, Union Representative. Master Trade Union Agreement in late March.
The three year agreement includes a 6.11% general wage increase over
CANADIAN NORThERN ShIELD
the course of the agreement, additional statutory holiday in February,
The collective agreement expired on September 30, 2010. An agree-
improvements to bereavement leave, dental and vision benefits, and job
ment has been reached on all but a few proposals, with outstanding
sharing language.
items including the length of the renewed collective agreement and pay
The bargaining committee consists of Janice Ford, Janet Trudell, and
increases. The parties were scheduled to meet again in mid-March.
Kerrie Irving and Cynthia Wishart, Union Representatives.
The bargaining committee consists of Yvonne Crowley, Roberta Go-
odrick, Rhiannon Sprout, and Jackie Brown, Union Representative. SEASPAN MARINE CORPORATION
The collective agreement expired February 28, 2011. A bargaining com-
CIATU
mittee was being established and a bargaining survey being prepared for
A new collective agreement for members at CIATU was ratified on Feb-
distribution to members in late March.
ruary 4, 2011. The four year agreement includes a $250 signing bonus,
More info at The chief spokesperson for the bargaining committee is Union Repre-
2% wage increase February 1st, 2011, 1.5 % wage increase May 1st, 2011,
sentative Jackie Brown.
cope378.ca total wage increases of 7.12% over four (4) years, ability for members to
distribute wage increases to Pension and Benefits by majority vote, and SEIU
additional changes in language. The bargaining committee has served notice to commence bargaining
The bargaining committee included Sheila McCrea, Marlene Graham, and was waiting to hear back from the employer as to their availability
Donna Mansel, Joanne Anderson, with Michael Milner as an alternate, when Local Voice went to press.
and Kerrie Irving, Union Representative. The bargaining committee consists of Cathy Conley and Kerrie Irving,
Union Representative.
COMMUNITy SAvINgS CREDIT UNION
The collective agreement expires June 30, 2011. Notice to commence SOUThERN RAILWAy
collective bargaining as been served to the employer and the parties The collective agreement for COPE 378 members at Southern Railway
were set to commence bargaining as Local Voice went to press. Both expired on March 31, 2010. The employer proposed a final offer for set-
parties have indicated that they hope to conclude negotiations before tlement, which the majority of members voted in favour of accepting.
the current agreement expires. The bargaining committee is composed of Don Brierley and Jackie
The chief spokesperson for the bargaining committee is Jack Gerow, Brown, Union Representative.
Union Representative. UNITED FIShERMEN & ALLIED WORkERS UNION
ECOJUSTICE The collective agreement expired December 31, 2010. The bargaining
The collective agreement for Ecojustice expired November 30, 2010 committee has contacted the employer and is currently waiting for their
and dates to commence negotiations will be set soon. The employer response and available dates to commence negotiations.
has submitted bargaining proposals to the union and the COPE 378 bar- The bargaining committee consists of Nancy Anderson and Kerrie Ir-
gaining committee is finalizing their strategy. ving, Union Representative.
The bargaining committee consists of Danielle Allen, Julia Say, Susan vANCOUvER TAxI LTD.
Pinkus, and Sarah Melsness, Union Representative. The collective agreement expires June 30, 2011. Bargaining surveys are
gULF & FRASER FIShERMEN’S CREDIT UNION being prepared and will be sent to members shortly. Notice to com-
The collective agreement expires on June 30, 2011. The bargaining mence bargaining will be sent to the employer in late spring.
committee held their first planning meetings in March and negotiations Preparations are underway to elect a bargaining committee and the
are set to begin in May. Notice to commence collective bargaining has chief spokesperson for the bargaining committee is Union Representa-
been served to the employer. tive Jackie Brown.
The bargaining committee consists of Arvid Vimb, Robin Manolson, WORkINg ENTERPRISES
Linda Banxachai, and Jack Gerow, Union Representative. The collective agreement expires May 31, 2011. Bargaining surveys are
ICBC being prepared and will be sent to members shortly. Notice to com-
ICBC and COPE 378 met in mid-January January 12 and 13 and ex- mence bargaining will be sent to the employer in late spring.
changed initial bargaining proposals. The bargaining committee posted Preparations are underway to elect a bargaining committee and the
the full suite of proposals from both ICBC and COPE 378 on cope378 ca, chief spokesperson for the bargaining committee is Union Representa-
and also held meetings at fifty ICBC locations province-wide to discuss tive Jackie Brown.

BARgAININg
UNIT BRIEFS
ABSU commence bargaining has been sent to the employer.

Talks broke off between the union and the employer in August, 2009. A membership meeting will was held in mid-March to introduce the
There has been no change to the status of bargaining at this time. bargaining committee and discuss members’ priorities and concerns.
Stemming from this feedback, the bargaining committee is drafting a
BCAA
bargaining survey that will be distributed to the membership.
The collective agreement for the members at BCAA expires on Septem-
The bargaining committee consists of Nadine Ford, Lori Watt, and Bar-
ber 30, 2011. A bargaining survey has been sent to the members at BCAA
bara Junker, Union Representative.
sales centres, and a survey will be prepared and distributed to members
at ERS shortly. FortisBC
The chief spokesperson for the bargaining committee is Union Repre- FortisBC and Terasen Gas have asked the union to discuss amalgama-
sentative Pat Junnila. tion of the Fortis and Terasen collective agreements. The union has
agreed to discuss the matter and has had several meetings with mem-
BC COMPUTERIzED DISPATCh (yELLOW CAB)
bers between January and March to solicit theirffeedback on this. In
The union and the employer have exchanged proposals and the parties
addition, the union has completed a series of membership meetings
met in late March to continue negotiations.
in Kelowna and Trail related to the amalgamation, and willtnow begin
The bargaining committee consists of Tim Weigelt, Angie Pollock, Trisha
preparations on how best to move forward to meet members’ needs.
Chenatte, and Barry Hodson, Union Representative.
The bargaining committee consists of Kate Koczor, Richard Gaylard,
BERLITz and Kevin Smyth, Union Representative.
Bargaining proposals are completed and ready to be exchanged with
IWA FOREST INDUSTRy PENSION PLAN
the employer. The union will be serving notice to bargain at the begin-
The parties exchanged proposals in January and were scheduled to
ning of April.
meet again in mid-April to continue with negotiations.
The bargaining committee consists of Colin Patterson, Jennifer Williams
The bargaining committee consists of Beth Turner and Sylvia Teghara-
and Karen Rockwell, Union Representative.
rian and Barry Hodson, Union Representative.
CANADIAN FREIghTWAyS LTD. BC NDP
The collective agreement expired on December 31, 2010. Proposals
The parties have met and exchanged proposals. The union and the em-
have been exchanged with the employer and as Local Voice went to
ployer were scheduled to meet again in mid-March to discuss monetary
press the parties were scheduled to meet to continue talks.
proposals.
The bargaining committee consists of Brad Eckart, Wes Rickards, Mark
The bargaining committee consists of Sandra McElroy and Brad Bastien,
McGinley, Frank Brennan, and Barry Hodson, Union Representative.
Senior Union Representative.
CAPILANO UNIvERSITy PACIFIC vEhICLE TESTINg TEChNOLOgIES
The bargaining committee is ready to commence negotiations but has
The chief spokesperson for the bargaining committee is Kevin Payne,
not yet served notice to bargain as the Capilano Faculty Association has
Union Representative.
been bargaining.
The bargaining committee consists of Nathan Vick, Brenda Rovner, and TRANSLINk
Karen Rockwell, Union Representative. The bargaining committee reached a new one-year deal in mid-March
that was ratified by members.
COLUMBIA hyDRO CONSTRUCTORS
The agreement spans from April 1, 2010 to March 31, 2011 and includes
Bargaining is currently in abeyance. The parties were scheduled to meet
a 3% wage increase, and some minor housekeeping details. The agree-
in late March to discuss options for proceeding.
ment was reached to facilitate the transfer of the IT section of CMBC
COAST MOUNTAIN BUS COMPANy into TransLink.
The collective agreement for the COPE 378 members at Coast Moun- With the conclusion of an agreement to cover the last year, bargaining
tain Bus Co. expired on March 31, 2011. As Local Voice went to press, will now commence for a new collective agreement to cover the period
bargaining was put on hold due to TransLink transferring a number of moving forward.
members from CMBC to TransLink. The bargaining committee consists of Ian Whittington, Rod Gladwin,
The chief spokesperson for the bargaining committee is Kevin Payne, Dan Dickhout, Sara Dhaliwal, Pat Keeping, and Kevin Payne, Union Rep-
Union Representative. resentative.
CUPE LOCAL 454 TELECOMMUNICATION WORkERS PENSION PLAN
As Local Voice went to press the union was engaged in discussions to As Local Voice went to press, the parties were still exploring dates to
commence bargaining. exchange proposals.
The bargaining committee consists of Kathleen Ladislaus and Barbara The bargaining committee consists of Mabo Mui, Beverly Victor, Richard
Junker, Union Representative. Vorstenborch (alternate), and Barry Hodson, Union Representative.
CUPE BC AND LOCALS
The collective agreement expired on December 31, 2010 and notice to
IS PUBLIShED By
Canadian Office and Professional Employees Union, Local 378, COPE 378: President Andy Ross
2nd Floor, 4595 Canada Way, Burnaby, B.C. v5g 1J9 Secretary-Treasurer Lori Mayhew
POSTAL AgREEMENT #41267023 LOCAL vOICE Editor: Mike Bruce USW 2009
Phone: 604-299-0378 DESIgNED By: Dansk Design group
Fax: 604-299-8211 danskdesigngroup.com
E-mail: editor@cope378.ca PRINTED AT: Mitchell Press, Burnaby, B.C.
ISSN 1918-9753 COPE Local 378 voice

MARCh OF
International Women’s Day
ThE CENTURy and the “March of the Century”
By hEAThER LEE, COPE 378 TRANSITION OFFICER
100
100th anniversary of
International Women’s Day,
M
arch 8, 2011 marked the 100th anniversary of In- hours of work, job sharing, and the inclusion of wom-
ternational Women’s Day, a day where women en to elected office.
around the world join together and celebrate International Women’s Day is one of the preeminent
their many remarkable accomplishments, and for peo- events that the labour community marks in British Co-
ple around the world to recognize the work that is still lumbia and across Canada. Events take place in com-
needed to be done to achieve equal rights. munities throughout the country, organized by labour
Following an International Conference of Work- councils, provincial federations, and union locals, as
ing Women held in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1910, a well as by municipalities and community organizations.
number of European countries recognized International Here in B.C., the B.C. Federation of Labour held its
Women’s Day for the first time in 1911. The United Na- annual International Women’s Day breakfast for union
tions adopted a resolution calling on member states members in Burnaby.
to adopt an official day to recognize women’s rights in On March 5, women and men from throughout the
1977, and shortly thereafter Canada adopted March 8 as community gathered for a parade to mark the 100th an-
a national and international day of recognition. niversary of International Women’s Day. Dubbed “The
1911 also saw the debut of the “Bread and Roses” Parade of the Century,” marchers were asked to dress in
campaign, based on the famous poem, which has period costume from the last one hundred years. Sisters
now become an anthem for International Women’s and brothers from COPE 378, many other unions, and
Day worldwide. community and neighbourhood groups joined in the
International Women’s Day is now an official parade. The parade of over 1,000 people marched up
holiday in Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Commercial Drive in East Vancouver and ended with a
Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cuba, Georgia, Guinea-Bis- celebration at the Wise Hall.
sau, Eritrea, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Moldova, Throughout the year the COPE 378 Women’s
Mongolia, Montenegro, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmeni- Committee does great work advocating for women in
stan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Zam- our workplaces and communities and supporting the
bia. In China, Madagascar, and Nepal, it is a public amazing and inspiring activism done by sisters in oth-
holiday for women only. er unions and allied organizations. This work is never
The theme in Canada this year was “Status of done, and the Women’s Committee does a tremendous
Women—Strong Leadership. Strong Women. Strong job and always welcomes and encourages new mem-
World: Equality”. bers to get involved.
Labour has always been at the forefront of the We have achieved so very much in these last 100
women’s movement, and in the struggles that we still years, but we have a lot more work to do. I look for-
face today, labour is prominent – always a voice for ward to standing shoulder-to-shoulder with my sisters,
moving forward. Here at COPE 378, our union has brothers, and the young women leaders as we march
been a passionate and effective advocate for moving into the future and the next 100 years of International
women’s issues forward as workers, including lead- Women’s Day.
ing – and winning – several battles on pay equity,

COPE 378 member work at the following properties
Accenture Business Services Community Savings Credit Union Open Solutions

Union Reps: Karen Rockwell, Brian Nelson, Union Rep: Jack Gerow Union Rep: Jack Gerow
Barry Hodson, Pat Junnilla CUPE 3338 Pacific vehicle Testing
Alma Mater Society Union Rep: Barbara Junker Union Rep: Kevin Payne
Union Rep: Karen Rockwell CUPE 454 Richmond Taxi (aka Coral Cabs)
Aviscar Union Rep: Barbara Junker Union Rep: Jackie Brown
Union Rep: Glen MacInnes CUPE BC & Locals Ricoh
BCAA SC Union Rep: Barbara Junker Union Rep: Jackie Brown
Union Rep: Pat Junnilla DA Townley & Assoc Schneider
BCAA ERS Union Rep: Glen MacInnes Union Rep: Glen MacInnes
Union Rep: Pat Junnilla Dollar Thrifty Seaspan International Ltd.
BCgEU Union Rep: Glen MacInnes
Union Rep: Jackie Brown
Union Rep: Bonnie Merriman EcoJustice
SEIU 244
BC Computerized Dispatch (yellow Cab) Union Rep: Sarah Melsness
Union Rep: Kerrie Irving
Union Rep: Barry Hodson Electrical Industry Training Institute
Southern Railway
BC Federation of Labour Union Rep: Brian Nelson
Union Rep: Kevin Smyth Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Teamsters Local 31
BC Ferry & Marine Workers Union (formerly National)
Union Rep: Brad Bastien Union Rep: Glen MacInnes
Union Rep: Glen MacInnes
BC hydro (incl Powertech, Const. Services) FortisBC Teamsters Local 155
Union Reps: Barry Hodson, Union Rep: Kevin Smyth Union Rep: Glen MacInnes
Brian Nelson, Pat Junnilla, greyhound Teamsters Local 213
Barbara Junker, Glen MacInnes Union Rep: Kevin Payne Union Rep: Glen MacInnes
BC Nurses Union gulf & Fraser Fishermen’s CU Teamsters Local 213 - Member Benefit Plan
Union Rep: Kerrie Irving Union Rep: Jack Gerow Union Rep: Glen MacInnes
BC Transit handy Pack Telecommunication Workers Union TWU
Union Rep: Kevin Payne Union Rep: Kevin Smyth Union Rep: Glen MacInnes
Beach Place ventures hastings Ent. Inc. Telecommunication Workers Union
Union Rep: Jackie Brown Union Rep: Kelly Quinn Pension Plan TWUPP
Berlitz Canada Inc. hertz Union Rep: Barry Hodson
Union Rep: Karen Rockwell Union Rep: Glen MacInnes Teletheatre BC
Bonny’s Taxi ICBC Union Rep: Kelly Quinn
Union Rep: Jackie Brown Union Reps: Bonnie Merriman, Terasen gas
Burvic holdings Kelly Quinn, Kerrie Irving, Union Rep: Kevin Smyth
Union Rep: Barry Hodson Vic Foth, Sara Melsness Thunderbird Winter Sports
Canadian Freighways Ltd. Island Savings CU and Insurance Union Rep: Kerrie Irving
Union Rep: Kevin Payne Union Rep: Jack Gerow Trade Union Research Bureau
Canadian Northern Shield / RSA ITT Flygt Union Rep: Barry Hodson
Union Rep: Jackie Brown Union Rep: Barry Hodson TransLink
Capilano University IWA Forest Industry PP Union Rep: Kevin Payne
Union Rep: Karen Rockwell Union Rep: Barry Hodson Tree Island
Carpenters Local 1928 kekinow Native housing Society Union Rep: Kevin Smyth
Union Rep: Kerrie Irving Union Rep: Jackie Brown
United Fishermen & Allied Worker Union
Catalyst Paper kelowna Cabs Ltd.
Union Rep: Kerrie Irving
Union Rep: Barry Hodson Union Rep: Barry Hodson
vancouver Shipyards Ltd.
CIATU konica Minolta
Union Rep: Kerrie Irving Union Rep: Jackie Brown
vancouver Taxi Ltd. (Central Taxi Dispatch)
Coast Mountain Bus Ladysmith & District CU
Union Rep: Kevin Payne Union Rep: Barry Hodson
Coastal Community Credit Union Lu’Ma Native housing Society vantageOne Credit Union
Union Rep: Jack Gerow Union Rep: Jackie Brown Union Rep: Jack Gerow
Coastal Community Insurance kruger Products (Scott Paper) victoria Shipyards Ltd.
Union Rep: Jack Gerow Union Rep: Vic Foth Union Rep: Jackie Brown
College of Pharmacists of BC MacLures Cabs Ltd. victoria Trade Union
Union Rep: Glen MacInnes Union Rep: Jackie Brown Union Rep: Kerrie Irving
College of Registered Nurses Marine Workers & Boilermakers Westminster Savings CU
Union Rep: Glen MacInnes Union Rep: Kerrie Irving Union Rep: Jack Gerow
Columbia hydro Master Trade Office Working Enterprises
Union Rep: Brad Bastien Union Rep: Kerrie Irving Union Rep: Jackie Brown
Columbia valley Credit Union New Democratic Party yellow Pages group
Union Rep: Jack Gerow Union Rep: Brad Bastien Union Rep: Jack Gerow

CUSTOM CARTOONS FOR
COPE378 MEMBERS
RETURN UNDELIVERABLE PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 41267023

CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO:
#200 - 4595 CANADA WAY,
BURNABY, B.C. V5G 1J9

Local Voice April 2011

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Local Voice April 2011

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Local Voice

Volume 6 | Issue #2 Spring 2011

CoPe 378 eleCTIoNS

6 COPE 378 2011 ELECTIONS

9 FAREWELL AND ThANkS TO

12 PREPARINg FOR ELECTIONS

13 NDP LEADERShIPS CANDIDATES

15 FINDINg OUR POWER

16 JUAN LINARES RELEASED

17 ICBC CASh gRAB

18 WISCONSIN: ThIS ShALL

19 CELEBRATINg LUNAR NEW yEAR 19

22 100 yEARS OF INTERNATIONAL

USW 2009 President, COPE 378

COPE 378 Local Voice vOLUME 6 Issue #2 Spring 2011 | 3

4 | vOLUME 6 Issue #2 Spring 2011 COPE 378 Local Voice

COPE 378 Local Voice vOLUME 6 Issue #2 Spring 2011 | 5

COPE 378 is YOUR union. For the orga-

President and Secretary-Treasurer

make sure you vote.

Ballots will be counted on Monday,

May 2 and results will be posted online at

Your source for Executive Council

information on Please vote and please make sure to get

your ballots in on time!

6 | vOLUME 6 Issue #2 Spring 2011 COPE 378 Local Voice

Job Steward Election of COPE 378

2011 Union Elections:

to establish whether or not candidates for the Executive nominations, delegates

election or not. president. Ca nd

serve as Stewards in their workplaces. tive Council meeting

Presidents are elected. Executive Board members are Metrotown in Burnaby.

elected as Vice Presidents via secret ballot by elected

Executive Board Members, Councillors, and delegat-

the triennial elections.

Job Stewards serve as the representatives of the

Following the union’s elections,

COPE 378 Local Voice vOLUME 6 Issue #2 Spring 2011 | 7

8 | vOLUME 6 Issue #2 Spring 2011 COPE 378 Local Voice

Bob Derby at the

COPE 378 Local Voice vOLUME 6 Issue #2 Spring 2011 | 9

“Here in B.C., if the meter program proceeds, bills

10 | vOLUME 6 Issue #2 Spring 2011 COPE 378 Local Voice

COPE 378 Local Voice vOLUME 6 Issue #2 Spring 2011 | 11

The COPE 378 Political Action Committee is in the process of

12 | vOLUME 6 Issue #2 Spring 2011 COPE 378 Local Voice

COPE 378 Local Voice vOLUME 6 Issue #2 Spring 2011 | 13

14 | vOLUME 6 Issue #2 Spring 2011 COPE 378 Local Voice

Members of the Save the Track coalition at Hastings Racetrack who

COPE 378 Local Voice vOLUME 6 Issue #2 Spring 2011 | 15

16 | vOLUME 6 Issue #2 Spring 2011 COPE 378 Local Voice

COPE 378 Local Voice vOLUME 6 Issue #2 Spring 2011 | 17

18 | vOLUME 6 Issue #2 Spring 2011 COPE 378 Local Voice

Vancouver Chinatown New Year Parade

COPE 378 Local Voice vOLUME 6 Issue #2 Spring 2011 | 19

20 | vOLUME 6 Issue #2 Spring 2011 COPE 378 Local Voice

ABSU commence bargaining has been sent to the employer.

COPE 378 Local Voice vOLUME 6 Issue #2 Spring 2011 | 21

22 | vOLUME 6 Issue #2 Spring 2011 COPE 378 Local Voice

Accenture Business Services Community Savings Credit Union Open Solutions

COPE 378 Local Voice vOLUME 6 Issue #2 Spring 2011 | 23

RETURN UNDELIVERABLE PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 41267023

You might also like