Election Call January 2022

Elections, Miscellaneous
Between March 1 to 7, 2022 members will elect one (1) Table Officer and three (3) RVP’s and one (1) Trustee in accordance with the COPE 491 Bylaws.   Officer Positions: National Vice President *By-election 1 year term Elected by a vote of the full membership.   Regional Vice-President Positions: Region 1 - British Columbia Region 7 - Maritimes Region 8 - Atlantic Elected by a vote of the membership in their respective regions   Trustee Positions: 3-year Trustee Elected by a vote of the full membership.   Nominations will open January 25, 2022 and must be submitted to the Returning Officer by 4:00 P.M. on February 7, 2022; the day nominations close.   To be eligible for a nomination and election, a member must be in continuous good standing…
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Vacation Carry-Over

Miscellaneous
Greetings, As you all know, COPE currently has a policy grievance filed regarding vacation/.vacation payout.  As we are actively working on this grievance, we are advising all members that as per Article 13.09(b) of the Collective Agreement, if you have any remaining vacation that you will not be using before the end of the year, that you wish to carry over for use next year, that you put this in writing and send it to your RD/ARD.  We would also like to advise that this be done as soon as reasonably possible, as HR usually needs all forms to be submitted before the first week of December.  If you have any difficulty getting your request approved, please advise your RVP right away.  We will keep you all apprised of any…
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All Blood is Equal

Miscellaneous
COPE National has adopted a resolution to support the campaign to end the "blood ban" at Canadian Blood Services (CBS).  Currently CBS discriminates against gay men and trans women from donating blood.  The blood ban is not based on science, just old discriminatory ideas.  All blood in Canada is tested and is safe.  For more information, please visit: www.allbloodisequal.ca COPE National President, David Black, has sent a letter calling for support from our local and our members.  We are asking members to visit the above website and add your voice to end this discrimination; share the campaign with your friends, family, neighbours and fellow allies; and consider making a donation to the campaign so they can do more public outreach.  The link to the campaign is also available on COPE 491's facebook group.  
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Covid-19 Update

Miscellaneous
As this is a very difficult and uneasy time for all of us, I wanted to reach out to you, as we have heard some unsettling news regarding another Union that you may hear about in the next while.  We have been told that UNIFOR will be moving to lay off staff in the coming weeks, due to the rise of unemployment in the sectors they represent.  As this is a very troubling decision for UNIFOR to make, I am sure this may bring fear and uncertainty to our members as well.  Just to clarify, this is UNIFOR the Union having to lay off staff, not UNIFOR members that work for CUPE.  We know that all unions, organizations and governments, including CUPE will be impacted by the financial fallout of…
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Covid-19 Questions/Concerns

Miscellaneous
We know this has been a difficult time for COPE members, but please be certain, that we are trying to address questions and concerns as they arise.  One of the concerns that was brought forward, was a question as to how we are going to be paid.  We currently have members working in Payroll to ensure that we are all paid as per our regular scheduled payday.   We would like to thank all of our members, who are working to make sure it is business as usual during these unprecedented times. As previously mentioned, please continue to send any questions or concerns through your RVP's.  If there are any new updates, we will continue to get information to you all in a timely fashion.  Thanking you all for your patience…
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COVID-19 CONCERNS

Miscellaneous
We are aware that members may have some concerns and questions surrounding COVID-19.  COPE has sent a letter to the Employer asking for an urgent meeting/response to our concerns and questions.  We have asked to work with the Employer on direction and policy around this declared pandemic and we will provide information as soon as it is available.  In the meantime, please refer to Canadian Health Organization and/or other credible sources for information on best practices and updates on the pandemic progress.  https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html  
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Vacation Statements

Miscellaneous
As many of you are starting to receive the vacation statements from HR, COPE is asking that you do NOT sign or return the statement yet.  There have been numerous issues reported with vacation banks and payouts.  We have filed a policy grievance on vacation issues.  Please do not sign the statement and send in until we have the opportunity to address the vacation issues with the Employer.  Please contact Sandra Lenuik, NVP (sandral@telus.net) if you have signed the form and submitted already OR if you have any issues with vacation that you have not reported to her yet.  Thank you for your cooperation.  ~COPE491 EXECUTIVE~  
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UNION SAVINGS PROGRAM

Miscellaneous
COPE Local 491 is registered with the Union Savings Program.  This program helps to save union members money when shopping and traveling and more.  Union Savings is Canada’s only not-for-profit, union-run, members’ benefit program. By working with almost 2 million members across Canada and using economies of scale, discounts are negotiated for union members, retirees and their families.  How it works: 1. Go to www.unionsavings.ca 2. Find your Union on the list 3. Create your free account 4. Start Saving! To learn more, check out the guide to the discounts and savings CLICK TO VIEW GUIDE   During the Ontario Federation of Labour convention, COPE was able to confirm our local's registration in the program and secure a place in the program for all of our members.  The program is…
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Canadian Equity Council Delegate – COPE National

Miscellaneous
We are happy to announce that Sister Rachel Roberts has put her name forward to COPE National and has been chosen as one of the delegates to sit on the Canadian Equity Council. She will be one of four (4) delegates representing Region 2 (which Local 491 is part of).  Congratulations to Sister Rachel, we look forward to hearing from you when the CEC has news or events that can be shared. In solidarity, Trish Sinclair President COPE Local 491
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Button Campaign

Miscellaneous, Regional Issues
COPE491 is starting a campaign regarding Hours of Work.  Soon you will be receiving buttons to wear at work to stand in support of members who feel pressured to work through lunch hours and work in excess of 6 hours with no overtime as per our collective agreement. We work 6 hours a day.  We have 1 hour for lunch.  We should not have to take calls or direction during our lunch hour.  We should not be working more than 6 hours a day without being paid for overtime.  These issues may not affect you or your workplace, but we want everyone to wear the buttons to show our support and solidarity with our sisters and brothers across the country who are faced with these issues.  If you have any questions…
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