In the world of technology and ever changing media platforms, our local has started to create an online social media presence. 

COPE Local 491 now has a Facebook group.  This is a place to come and chat with other members, find interesting labour community events and information or share positive experiences and make a connection with your COPE Local 491 Sisters and Brothers. 

In order to join the group, you will have to request permission and answer 3 questions; are you a current COPE Local 491 member, which office and region you work in and if you will follow the equality statement in your posts and comments.  Once you have requested permission to join, an administrator or moderator of the group will approve you.  The group will remain a “closed” group which means: you can search the group on Facebook, but only members of the group will be able to see what is posted there.  Membership in the Facebook group is strictly OPTIONAL; the emails and webpage will remain the main vehicles for sharing COPE Local 491 official communications.  

Visit us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/cope491/

Stay tuned for more social media platform information in the coming weeks! 

As the pay statements were just received today; many members have been asking about the retro pay.  We inquired about it this morning and were advised by the Employer that the retroactive pay is being processed.  It is being worked on and and requires a number of manual calculations that are time consuming.  We do not have information on the exact time frame; however if we find out anything further we will let everyone know. 

Nominations close tomorrow (January 24th) at 4:00pm EST.  Be sure you have the nominations form into the Returning Officer at: returningofficercope491@gmail.com before the nomination period close.

Stay tuned on January 28th for a list of candidates nominated for the positions. The list of candidates will be posted to the website and sent out by email.

The hearing dates that were scheduled for January 8/9 have now been concluded. This process was completed in the first day and the second day was cancelled. All parties now await a decision from the Vice-Chair of the OLRB (Ontario Labour Relations Board). We will share that decision once we receive it.

Happy New Year! The COPE 491 executive wishes to send good wishes for a fantastic year to each and every member.

Quick update on the OLRB hearings for the application that was filed in December. The hearing date originally scheduled for December 27 was cancelled and the hearing for January 8 and 9 will be taking place as scheduled. Until the hearings have taken place and a decision is rendered there may not be much information to share. We will continue to provide all information we can to everyone.

COPE 491 will be taking time in the first part of January to also welcome our new executive members and will be working together to move forward in a positive manner. The Bargaining Committee is continuing to work compiling proposals from those submitted by members. There has been a start on a bylaw review and a committee will be formed shortly as well. 2018 will be a busy year again and we look forward to seeing member involvement and seeing our local continue to grow and strengthen together in a unified direction.

In Solidarity,
COPE 491 Executive

Election Results are in!

Congratulations to Sister Sandra Lenuik, and Sister Pamela Nowosad-Federowich for being elected as RVP in your respective regions! Thank you to all who let their names stand.

Ontario Region 5A had a tie in the election and therefore a re-election will take place in the new year. Stay tuned for details of that election.

Click below for the Big Pulse Results pages:

Region 1 – British Columbia

Region 4 – Manitoba

Region 5A – Ontario Area

Sisters & Brothers:

As you know a second application was filed on November 30, 2017 to remove our National Office members from COPE 491. On Tuesday December 5, 2017 the Ontario Labour Relations Board ordered a vote to take place on Thursday, December 7, 2017 at National Office.

Further information will be communicated to you as it becomes available.

If you have any questions please send them to a COPE 491 Executive member and we will respond as soon as possible.

In solidarity,

Karen Carle
President
COPE 491