Vacation Carry-Over

Uncategorized
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…
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Election Call October 2021

Elections
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:PresidentTreasurerElected by a vote of the full membership.Trustee Position:3-year TrusteeElected by a vote of the full membership.Regional Vice-President Positions:Region 1 - British ColumbiaRegion 2 - AlbertaRegion 3 - SaskatchewanRegion 4 - ManitobaRegion 5A - OntarioRegion 5B - Ontario Regional OfficeRegion 6A - National Office/OAORegion 6B - National Office/OAORegion 6C - National Office/OAORegion 7 - MaritimesRegion 8 - AtlanticElected 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…
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President’s Message

Uncategorized
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…
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National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Uncategorized
September 30th has been declared the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada.  This was done through Bill C-5 which received Royal Assent in June.  CUPE will be honouring this day and all employees will be given the day off.  Correspondence from CUPE on this is available on CUPE Connect which confirms this day has been added to the list of Statutory Holidays in our Collective Agreement.   COPE Local 491 appreciates the importance of the day and encourages members to use the day in the spirit in which it was created in response to #80 in the Calls to Action document from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.  The Call to Action reads:  80. We call upon the federal government, in collaboration with Aboriginal peoples, to establish, as…
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Phase 2 Delayed

Uncategorized
Hello Everyone, As you know, CUPE has identified that they will not be moving to Phase 2 - Working from the Office Plan on the September 20th date as indicated in the correspondence dated September 14th, 2021. COPE 491 is pleased that the Employer has heard our concerns and understands that we want to keep our members safe. However, CUPE's goal is to move back to our pre-pandemic ways of working - including in-person work, and being in the office - will be our reality in the near future. Our concern is for those of you who may have a need to be accommodated either due to your own medical condition/health concerns; a medical condition of your spouse, child or parents; or because of your family status needs. While we understand that there have been…
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COPE Local 491 partners with Vubiz to offer educational workshops to all members!

Education
COPE Local 491 is excited to announce that we have partnered with Vubiz to offer educational workshops for all members.  These workshops are all online and available 24/7.  Choose from hundreds of workshops ranging from informational and fun to work related.  There are workshops available in English, French and Spanish. Click the link below to learn how to get started.  We recommend reading the instruction sheet before going on the site to minimize encountering any issues during initial registration. Below is also a link to the workshop listing.  If you prefer to view the workshop listing in Excel, reply to this email to request it be sent to you. Feel free to browse around and take any or all that you are interested in.  For any Vubiz site related queries, please contact Norm…
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Nominations Closed – List of Acclaimed and Nominees

Bargaining, Elections, Uncategorized
Thank you to all those who let their name stand for positions. The positions that were open for elections were for the Bargaining Committee as well as two interim RVP positions. RVP, Region 5A (Interim, one year remainder of term) Steve Smith - ACCLAIMED RVP, Region 6C (Interim, one year remainder of term) No nominations   BARGAINING COMMITTEE East Karri Patterson - ACCLAIMED   National Debbie Rebeiro - ACCLAIMED   Ontario Brandi Kehoe - ACCLAIMED   West Theresa Walkowski, SK Patty Kinahan, AB Corinne Iwata, BC   There will be one election, for the members in that region/area.  Congratulations to those acclaimed and good luck to those nominees in the election. 
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Nomination Forms – January 2021

Elections, Uncategorized
Nomination Forms - Elections January 2021 Nominations for the upcoming elections open on January 22, 2021.  Click below to access the nomination form for each position up for election. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Returning Officer. Nomination-Form - RVP Region blank Nomination-Form - Bargaining Committee BLANK
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Election Call – January 2021 – Negotiating Committee

Elections
ELECTION CALL January 2021 - Negotiating Committee Between February 17 and February 23, 2021 members will elect a Negotiating Committee in accordance with the COPE 491 Bylaws. Negotiating Committee Positions:The Negotiating Committee shall consist of the President, one otherTable Officer as determined by the Executive Board, and four (4) electedmembers. The elected members will be from the following regions andwill be elected by the members in those regions:• One (1) from the West (B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba)• One (1) from the Ontario Region• One (1) from the National Office• One (1) from the East (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland Labrador).Elected by, and from, their Regional MembershipNominations will open January 22nd and must be submitted to the Returning Officer by 4:00 P.M. on February 4, 2021; the…
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Election Call – January 2021 – RVP, Region 6C and Region 5A

Elections, Uncategorized
ELECTION CALL January 2021 - RVP (Region 5A and Region 6C only) Between February 17 and February 23, 2021 members will elect one (1) Regional Vice-President (Region 6C National) and one (1) Regional Vice-President (Region 5A Ontario) in accordance with the COPE 491 Bylaws.Officer Positions:Regional Vice-President (Region 5A) (Interim)Elected by members in area offices of Ontario Region 5ARegional Vice-President (Region 6C) (Interim)Elected by members of National Office & the Ottawa Area OfficeNominations will open January 22nd and must be submitted to the Returning Officer by 4:00 P.M. on February 4, 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…
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