CUPE
Double days off at Easter? You either got it or you don’t
KELOWNA - Other than politics and religion, is there anything that divides us more than who gets two days off at Easter and who doesn’t? Is there anything more confusing? Who gets time off around Easter pretty much comes down to the haves and the have-nots. If you’re just a regular working stiff, working 9...
Workers fight for jobs while employer fights to avoid bankruptcy
NARAMATA – The Centre at Naramata is known as a sanctuary, a retreat from the stresses and hustle bustle of modern life. Since Thursday it’s been anything but for the 30 unionized employees. The CUPE workers walked off the job and are walking a picket line. Talks with the employer have broken off after the...
Centre at Naramata risks being shut down
PENTICTON - The Centre at Naramata risks a chance of shutting down unless the organization can raise $500,000 by the end of the month. The Centre has had financial difficulties, which became known to the public this past spring when 30 CUPE workers, employed by the Centre went on strike. A statement released earlier this...
RCMP investigate aggressive behaviour on CUPE picket line
PENTICTON - A manager of the Naramata Centre allegedly displayed aggressive and threatening behaviour on the picket line Monday night where CUPE workers have been picketing for months. RCMP have been notified of a damaged tent and the manager’s aggressive behaviour. RCMP are reportedly investigating the matter, CUPE B.C. Secretary Treasurer Paul Faoro said. “The...
Talks break down between City of Kelowna and CUPE
KELOWNA – There are no plans for job action just yet as talks between the City of Kelowna and its unionized workers have broken off. “After five days of mediation we were unable to come to agreement,” a Thursday posting on the CUPE Local 338 website says. “Talks were progressing but both sides were unable to...
Teachers strike causes daycare to close doors
PENTICTON - The ongoing teachers’ strike is not just affecting teachers, staff and students, but parents as well. Working parents who need child care services are running out of luck, especially if their chosen care centre is located in a school. The approximately eighty families that send their kids to Kid’s Connection Daycare are now...
Kelowna parents join teachers on day of action
KELOWNA – With the second of four planned rotating job action days taking place in Kelowna Tuesday, some parents and teachers are saying they are standing together for students in danger of being left behind. Veronique Broger has two kids enrolled in Ecole de L’Anse-Au-Sable on Gordon Dr. She decided to come out and support...
Teachers on twitter: Strike news shared on social media
PENTICTON - Teachers across the province began striking this morning for better wages and smaller class sizes, among other reasons. The rotating strike is an effort to move along negotiations with the province. Here's a look at what teachers, parents and students have been saying on social media: %%Embed1%% To contact the reporter for this...
School board nixes jobs to fix deficit
PENTICTON - Local school board approved the 2014-15 budget this week, which includes job cuts to help pay off a $1 million deficit. In order to cover CUPE salary and benefit increases, totalling $330,000, clerical, custodial and delivery staff jobs were cut as well as $180,000 in supplies and services. To cover the remainder of...