Today the Bargaining Committee met with our National Representatives, Jim Gorman and Cheryl Colborne. We reviewed our current position and discussed our upcoming mediation at the Labour Relations Board with the employer. No dates are known yet, but it will not occur before July at the earliest. Debbie Cameron of the B.C. Labour Relations Board has been assigned as the mediator for our negotiations.
As a result, a Strike Vote is being organized by the Bargaining Committee. The meeting and vote will take place on Sunday June 24th at the Alice MacKay room, Central Branch, Library Square. The informational portion of the meeting will be from between 5.30 and 6.30 p.m. Questions from the membership will be welcome as we explain the currnet state of bargaining and outstanding issues. The voting will take place from 6.30 until 7.30 p.m. Results will be tabulated, and released immediately.
Peter DeGroot has been appointed as Returning Officer and will be making sure that correct protocol is followed as per the labour code. Voting must be done in person; no proxy voting is allowed. The informational portion of the meeting is not mandatory; it is possible to come and vote only. Please bring proper identification as only bona fide members of CUPE Local 391 will be permitted to cast a vote.
More information will be forthcoming prior to the meeting. Please make every effort to attend and support your union and Bargaining Committee.
On behalf of the committee: Marya Gadison, Doug Klohn, Laura Safarian, Alex Youngberg, Aliza Nevarie.
Ed Dickson Bargaining Chair CUPE Local 391