As you are all aware, our elections are done electronically using Big
Pulse. The program that we use requires some training and experience in
order to use it efficiently. In the past, we have had one Returning
Officer and have usually used them fairly exclusively, but it would be
beneficial to have more than one person to turn to. We would like to
have a couple different members that would be interested in acting as
Returning Officer start some training on the program so that our local
has more flexibility when coming across the need to appoint a Returning
Officer for an election.
If you feel this is something you would be interested in, please advise your RVP by the end of day on May 17th, 2019.
In Solidarity,
COPE491 Executive
Update on Collective Agreement
We have had members asking what the status of the new Collective Agreement is. Currently, the Bargaining Committee has the draft copy and is in the process of reviewing it to make sure there are no errors or omissions. They are working on getting it finalized as soon as possible.
COPE491 and Social Media
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!
National Vice President Election RESULTS
Good morning,
The results are in for the National Vice-President election that just closed. Congratulations to Sandra Lenuik!
Click the link below to see the official Big Pulse results page.
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Poll Result
By-Election: National Vice-President
Report date: Thursday 14 March 2019 00:53 EDT
National Vice-President
Number of voters: 142 · Group size: 253 · Percentage voted: 56.13
Ranked by votes
| Rank | Candidate ID | Candidate | Votes | % |
| 1 | 15974803 | Sandra Lenuik | 56 | 39.44 |
| 2 | 15974801 | Tammy Laurin | 49 | 34.51 |
| 3 | 15974802 | Lindsay Mills | 37 | 26.06 |
Retro Pay Information
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.
Notice from Joint Employment Equity Committee (JEEC)
Please click the link below for an important letter/notice from the JEEC regarding a letter and survey all members will be receiving soon from CUPE.
BIOGRAPHIES of all nominees – Election March 2019 (National Vice-President)
Below you will find the bios of all the nominees for the upcoming election. As bios are submitted, this post will be updated.
Click on the name to see the bio of each person.
National Vice-President
List of Nominees and Acclaimation
| List of Nominees and Acclaimation |
| The nomination period for the upcoming elections is now closed. Thank you to all who participated in the process and either nominated someone or allowed their names to stand for election. There is one position that has been acclaimed and will not require an election. Congratulations: Sister Heather Farrow – acclaimed as Regional Vice-President, National Region The following is a list of the nominees that will have an election. NATIONAL VICE-PRESIDENT: Sister Lindsay Mills Sister Sandra Lenuik Sister Tammy Laurin The election for the above position will commence on March 6 and run until March 13, 2019. Ballots will be sent to all members via email using Big Pulse. If you do not receive a ballot on March 6, please contact your RVP. Bios for the candidates will begin to be posted this week. Congratulations to Sister Heather and good luck to all the NVP candidates! |
Election Call – January 30, 2019
Between March 6 and March 13, 2019 members will elect one (1) Table Officers and one (1) Regional Vice-President (Region 6A – National Office) in accordance with the COPE 491 Bylaws.
Officer Positions:
*National Vice-President
Elected by a vote of the full membership.
*Regional Vice-President (Region 6A)
Elected by members of National Office
Nominations will open February 6, 2019 and must be submitted to the Returning Officer by 4:00 pm. on February 20, 2019; 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 February 23, 2019.
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.
Steve Smith will serve as Returning Officer during the election. Voting will be conducted using electronic voting over seven days, March 6, 2019 to March 13, 2019.
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, Steve Smith via your RVP and no later than February 15, 2019, in order to ensure receipt of ballots.
In solidarity,
Trish Sinclair
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 February 25, 2019.
Steve Smith
Returning Officer, COPE Local 491
DATES TO REMEMBER
January 30, 2019
Election Call
February 6, 2019
Nominations open
February 20, 2019
4:00 p.m. EST
Nominations Close
February 23, 2019
Complete list of candidates will be posted on the Union’s website
February 25, 2019
Website posting of articles begin
February 15, 2019
Personal email address deadline
March 6 to March 13, 2019
VOTE
List of Nominees and Acclaimations – January 2019
The nomination period for the upcoming elections is now closed. Thank you to all who participated in the process and either nominated someone or allowed their names to stand for election.
There are 2 positions that are acclaimed and will not require an election.
Congratulations to the following:
- Sister Trish Sinclair has been acclaimed as National President
- Sister Jessica Scott has been acclaimed as Regional Vice-President, Atlantic Region
The following is a list of the nominees that will have an election, (Only members at National).
REGIONAL VICE-PRESIDENT, NATIONAL OFFICE (Region 6b):
- Sister Heather Farrow
- Sister Amanda Ross
The election for the above positions will commence on February 8 and run until February 15, 2019. Ballots will be sent to all members in Region 6 (National) via email using Big Pulse. If you are in Region 6 and do not receive a ballot on February 8, please contact your RVP.
Bios for the candidates will begin to be posted this week.
Congratulations to those acclaimed and good luck to all the candidates!