Original Message From

Marc Hancock and Candace Rennick, CUPE National

CUPE 1908 Communications would like to congratulate our wonderful and dedicated president, Loreen Matousek, on her recent photography showcase in CUPE BC’s Public Employees Magazine, Summer 2022 edition. You can view her work on page 7. The digital version of the magazine has been embedded below. Click the full screen button on the bottom right for the best viewing experience. Alternatively, click this link Public Employee – Summer 2022 – CUPE BC to find this and more on the CUPE BC website. Congratulations Loreen!

Original Letter From

Marc Hancock and Candace Rennick, CUPE National

Sisters, brothers and friends,

For over four months, two of our members have been held in the Dominican Republic without charge, in fear for their lives, simply for doing their duty and following the law.

On April 5, flight attendants Christina Carello and Alexander Rozov – members of CUPE Local 4059 – were detained along with the rest of their crew after discovering and reporting suspected contraband on their plane in the Dominican Republic.

They followed their duty to the letter, and aviation experts say the crew’s actions likely averted an air disaster due to the weight and location of the contraband. Instead of receiving thanks for their actions, Christina and Alexander and the rest of their crew have been denied their freedom, and their rights to justice and safety. Dominican prosecutors want them held in prison for up to 12 months as an investigation drags on.

For four long months, CUPE’s Airline Division has been part of an ongoing effort to help bring Christina and Alexander home. Today, we are calling on our broader CUPE membership to join this effort. Together, we must step up the pressure on Dominican authorities and on the Canadian government.

Christina and Alexander are part of our union family, and we must do what we can to bring them home to their lives and their loved ones in Canada.

Each of us can do our part and make a difference. We are urging all members and locals to visit the website to support Christina and Alexander today.

In solidarity,

MARK HANCOCK National President

CANDACE RENNICK National Secretary-Treasurer

Original Letter From

Safe Union Spaces Working Group

Dear Sisters, Brothers, and Friends,

Over the past months, CUPE’s Safe Union Spaces Working Group has worked with external consultants to examine gender-based violence and other forms of discrimination and harassment in our union. We have completed a policy review, a survey, and a series of focus and listening groups as part of this work.

The Working Group met to review the internal and external recommendations that emerged from our research. Our report on the findings was presented at the National Executive Board and is available here.

The report contains a series of recommendations. These involve how to respond better when gender-based violence, discrimination and harassment complaints are raised and how to change our organizational culture to prevent incidents from happening.

The Safe Union Spaces Working Group is now strategizing how to implement these important recommendations, with appropriate support from staff. We will continue to report back to members as our work progresses.

In solidarity,

Candace Rennick, National Secretary-Treasurer (Co-Chair)
Debra Merrier, Diversity Vice-President, Indigenous Workers (Co-Chair)
Judy Henley, General Vice-President (MB, SK) (Co-Chair)
Sherry Hillier, General Vice-President (NS, NL, NB, PEI)
Lee-Ann Kalen, General Vice-President (BC, AB, Territories)
Nan McFadgen, Regional Vice-President (NS)
Yolanda McClean, Regional Vice-President (ON)
Gina McKay, Regional Vice-President (MB)
Karen Ranalletta, Regional Vice-President (BC and Yukon)
Barb Nederpel, Regional Vice-President (BC and Yukon)

Original Letter From

Loreen Matousek, President, CUPE 1908

Hello members.

Before COVID, CUPE1908 and the City of Salmon Arm took the time to remember those that have fallen on the Day of Mourning. Due to COVID we did not have the service in 2020 nor in 2021.
This year was supposed to be different; the City and our Union had planned on a service at Marine Park.
But, due to my busy schedule, I was not able to provide the support to the City to accomplish having the service happen. I feel that I have let you all down and for that I am sorry.

The Day of Mourning is very important to our union members, to our executive and to me.
I look forward to next year when we can be together to provide support to one another and grieve for those who have died on the job or who were hurt.

Original Letter From

Karen Ranalletta, President, CUPE British Columbia
Trevor Davies, Secretary-Treasurer, CUPE British Columbia

Are you a hobby photographer? A poet or musician? Perhaps you’re a storyteller who has a way with words, a talented illustrator who does animation, or a gourmet chef with a great recipe to share. If you’re any of these things—and many more—we want to hear from you!

Next spring, CUPE BC will be publishing a special May Day edition of Public Employee magazine as a supplement to the regular issue. Produced in time to celebrate International Workers Day, this issue of our flagship publication will feature content—articles, photos, and graphic images—generated entirely by our members. We want to feature CUPE members from all sectors and all corners of the province by having you share your hidden talents while telling us your own stories of work, life, culture, and community. Perhaps there’s another member you’d like to tell us about—or even interview: someone with a cool job most people wouldn’t think is CUPE work, a member who’s involved in international solidarity issues like migrant farm worker advocacy, or one who’s well known as an event organizer for concerts, arts festivals or Pride parades. Perhaps it’s an amateur archivist who has great stories or old photos to share about their local’s history. Or a CUPE member who has served in public office—or still does—and wants to reflect on their political action experience.

For submissions, we’re looking for written contributions of up to 250 words in length and high-resolution photographs of two megabytes (MB) or higher. Depending on the volume of contributions, not all submissions may be published. But every participant will receive CUPE swag and be entered into a prize draw.

Please send your contribution by February 1, 2022 and e-mail it to: info@cupe.bc.ca