| Nomination Forms – Elections December 2021 |
| Nominations for the upcoming elections open on November 2, 2021. Click below to access the nomination form for each position up for election. The attached nomination forms are in pdf format; for a word version of the form, please reply to this email and it will be emailed to you. Unfortunately the word version doesn’t attach properly through this email format. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Returning Officer, Mary Elizabeth Archer. |
Monthly Archives: October 2021
Vacation Carry-Over
COPE Local 491 filed a grievance on Friday, October 22 with respect to the vacation carry-over for 2021 vacation entitlement amounts. At the center of this grievance is the Employer’s interpretation of the Memorandum of Settlement we (CUPE and COPE) signed in January 2021. This interpretation has changed and we have learned of issues with carry-over requests. As discussions are ongoing with the Employer on this issue we will share what we can as information is available and as discussion progresses, but the process has timelines and new information may not be available as quickly as everyone is hoping. We ask everyone to please be patient.
If anyone has received a denial of carry-over for 2021 vacation entitlements, in writing, please forward to your RVP. If anyone has been denied carry-over for 2021 vacation entitlement verbally please outline who you spoke to, what date, and what was said and send to your RVP. We will be gathering information all of this week, and would appreciate a quick response to this request.
Thank you.
Election Call October 2021
| Between December 7 and December 13, 2021 members will elect two (2) Table Officers; one (1) Trustee ; and eleven (11) RVP’s in accordance with the COPE 491 Bylaws. Officer Positions: President Treasurer Elected by a vote of the full membership. Trustee Position: 3-year Trustee Elected by a vote of the full membership. Regional Vice-President Positions: Region 1 – British Columbia Region 2 – Alberta Region 3 – Saskatchewan Region 4 – Manitoba Region 5A – Ontario Region 5B – Ontario Regional Office Region 6A – National Office/OAO Region 6B – National Office/OAO Region 6C – National Office/OAO Region 7 – Maritimes Region 8 – Atlantic Elected by a vote of the membership in their respective regions Nominations will open November 2, 2021 and must be submitted to the Returning Officer by 4:00 P.M. on November 15, 2021; the day nominations close. To be eligible for a nomination and election, a member must be in continuous good standing for twelve (12) consecutive months prior to date of nomination. No nomination shall be accepted unless the member nominating has signed the nomination form and the member nominated has indicated on the form, or by other means, their willingness to stand for office. Nominations must be sent in during the nomination period. Any nominations received before or after the nomination period will not be accepted. A complete list of candidates for office will be posted on the Local Union website on November 16, 2021. After the closing of nominations all duly nominated candidates will be extended an opportunity to have a maximum of one (1) article included in the electronic voting system and posted on the Local Union website. The article may reference candidate websites but shall not contain any active links to external websites. Mary Elizabeth Archer will serve as Returning Officer during the election. Voting will be conducted using electronic voting over seven days, December 7 to December 13, 2021. Your participation as a candidate or as an informed voter in Union elections is crucial because those you elect will help administer the affairs of the Union. Personal email addresses should be received by the Returning Officer, Mary Elizabeth Archer via your RVP no later than November 27, 2021, in order to ensure receipt of ballots. In solidarity, Brandi Kehoe Acting President, COPE Local 491 |
| CAMPAIGN RULES Campaigning cannot occur during work time. Use of the Employer’s voice mail or email to circulate election material is not permitted. Candidates are asked to conduct themselves with dignity at all times. Any behaviour or material that undermines the dignity or self-esteem of any individual or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment will not be tolerated. Each duly nomination candidate may submit a maximum of one (1) article to be published on the Local Union Website and included in the electronic voting system. Website posting of articles begin November 16, 2021. Mary Elizabeth Archer Returning Officer, COPE Local 491 |
| DATES TO REMEMBER October 20, 2021 Election Call November 27, 2021 Personal email address deadline November 2, 2021 Nominations open November 15, 2021 4:00 p.m. EST Nominations Close November 16, 2021 Complete list of candidates Will be posted on the Union’s Website November 17, 2021 Website posting of articles begin December 7 – 13, 2021 VOTE |
President’s Message
Greetings Sisters, Brothers & Friends:
First off, I want to let everyone know that I have thoroughly enjoyed my time on the COPE Executive for the past seven years. I have grown from my role an RVP, to National Vice-President and then President for the past 2 ½ years. Although at times these positions can be challenging, I always felt that this was what I was meant to do. We have a great team of COPE staff across Canada, and I was happy to be able to represent you all. I would also like to say that I have had the opportunity to work with a terrific Executive Board that were very supportive during my role as President.
With that said, I am writing to inform you that effective immediately, I will be stepping down. As the National Vice-President, Brandi Kehoe has been Acting in this role for the past two months, she will continue to support all members in this role until the elections for President take place in December.
This was a tough decision for me as I feel my place is always going to be with COPE. Currently, my life has taken another direction which my entire focus needs to be on, and in fairness to the COPE members and Executive, I believe this is the right decision.
I thank you all for your support during my time as President.
Take care!In solidarity,
Trish Sinclair