News

May 9, 2024

CUPE 1281 DEMANDS: DISCLOSE AND DIVEST!

CUPE 1281 supports the campus encampments! Read our public letter sent to the University of Toronto President on May 9th, 2024.

Apr 22, 2024

SUPPORT THE MIGRANT SPRING!

RE: Regularize All Undocumented People and Ensure Permanent Resident Status for All Migrants

CUPE 1281 submitted a letter of support for the work that the Migrant Workers Network has been doing to break down barriers facing migrant workers and remove unfair obstacles to permanent residency for these workers. We echo their words: good enough to work, good enough to stay! The federal government promised regularization – permanent resident status for undocumented people – this Spring. Parliament goes on holiday as early as June 6 and there is no news! We are concerned that PM Trudeau is getting cold feet because of the scapegoating of migrants – tell them what you think! Migrant Rights Network launched a new petition asking Trudeau to reject racism and not back down from equality and fairness.

Read CUPE Local 1281’s letter and supporting documents urging the federal government to action their promise to regularize migrant workers and support international student in Canada here: Migrant Rights Network_Letter of Solidarity

These are the documents that accompanied our letter:

Migrant Rights Network Brief Regularization in Canada: Undocumented People in Canada

Migrant Rights Network Submission Overhauling the Home Child Care Providers and Home Support Worker Pilot Programs (HCCP and HSWP)

If you are experiencing backlash contact your steward, 1281 staff person and our co-lead stewards and find resources here.

Resources about current situation in Gaza that CUPE 1281 is following and have gathered for the membership.

• CUPE 1281 Statement on Gaza
• CUPE Ontario statement
• Palestinian Youth Movement
• An Urgent Call from Palestinian Trade Unions: End all Complicity, Stop Arming Israel
• Independent Jewish Voices
• Gaza Mutual Aid Collective
• Doctors without Borders statement

An incomplete list of places to send support:

• Middle East Children’s Alliance works to protect the rights and improve the lives of children in Palestine and Syrian refugees through aid, empowerment and education.
• Palestine Children’s Relief Fund is a humanitarian organization in Palestine, delivering crucial and life-saving medical relief and humanitarian aid where it is needed most.
• Médecins Sans Frontières is working on the ground to provide medical care for civilians caught in the conflict
• The Palestinian Red Crescent Society is working directly on the ground to help the victims of this humanitarian crisis
• United Nations Relief and Work Agency (UNRWA) has a Gaza Emergency Appeal to support their work on the ground, providing shelter and emergency health care

Take action

• Take action with the National Council of Canadian Muslims
• Take action with the campaigning community in Israel Zazim to establish a humanitarian corridor
• Read Amnesty International’s open letter to Prime Minister Trudeau on respecting human rights in Palestine and Israel.

Other resources

• All the Walls Will Fall: Palestine Liberation Reading List compiled October 2023
• Palestinian Youth Movement Reading List
• Handbook for academics: The IHRA Definition of Antisemitism & Canadian Universities/Colleges
• We Are Not Numbers
• Arming Apartheid: Canada’s Arms Exports to Israel
• UN: Situation in Occupied Palestine and Israel
• Jewish Voices for Peace Tell NYT: The root of violence is oppression
• United Nations Relief Works Agency for Palestinians in the Near East
• A ceasefire is the only way to stop a genocide from unfolding in Gaza
• Israel’s apartheid against Palestinians: Cruel system of domination and crime against humanity

On Monday April 10th, the part-time workers of the productions department of Western’s University Student Council (USC), organized with CUPE 1281, ratified their first collective bargaining agreement winning them wage increases, compensation for safety equipment and guaranteed paid safety training for all workers, amongst others.

“Our main motivation was ensuring worker safety,” says one of the worker organizers Praveena Saktikantan, whose job involves setting up for sometimes elaborate events like large campus concerts. “On two occasions, when proper safety protocols were not being followed, two different coworkers of mine endured injuries while working, leaving them with permanent health impacts.”

CUPE 1281’s newest members have a lot of important lessons on workplace organizing to contribute to the local. When a group of the workers at WUSC decided they wanted to unionize, they soon learned that organizing with their coworkers would not just be a matter of signing union authorization cards. “The biggest roadblock we had to get over was to convince our colleagues that no matter what job they are working and no matter how long they intend to work that job, their safety and long-term health had to take priority. A lot of my co-workers were not very invested in their workplace – it’s not a career-type job – but we had to educate each other that it only takes one event, one workplace accident, to affect you for the rest of your life, as it did for two of our members,” says worker organizer Madeleine Spezowka.

The unit is now celebrating their first set of wins, “I am most happy about getting a high rate for the reimbursement of steel toe boots. Most of our members could only afford poorly fitted ones at Walmart or would use a pair that had been abandoned by previous workers,” said Madeleine. And for Praveena, “To me our biggest win was wage progression, and being rewarded for our gained skills and extra work on the job as a result.” 

They are also looking forward to their next round of bargaining. Madeleine who has recently left the workplace said, “Going forward, I hope that they will be able to get more language around fair and equitable scheduling. That was a major point of contention during bargaining until the employer dropped it completely, and it will surely come up again during renewal.”

CUPE 1281 looks forward to supporting our new members at Western University Student Council to defend their gains and their union rights. “These workers have just done the hard part. What is left for us to do is to stay united as workers, educate each other on our gains and find support and solidarity at CUPE 1281. We are really happy to see young and more precarious part-time workers recognize their value and stand up to defend themselves in the workplace. Our local intends on continuing to support them in this endeavour. We will continue fighting for the working class” said CUPE 1281 president Moe Alqasem.

On reflection of the experience thus far, Praveena emphasizes a particular discovery that leaves her feeling hopeful. “Unionizing was at times a grueling process, but coming together with my coworkers and bargaining our collective agreement showed me that my coworkers and I care about each other a lot. With every proposal and counter proposal all of us on the bargaining committee thought a lot about the impacts on not just ourselves but our co-workers. In this way, it has been a very meaningful process to be a part of.”

CUPE 1281 is ecstatic to welcome Grassriots workers into our ranks. After three years of building support amongst their coworkers for unionizing, the non-profit marketing agency staff handily won their certification vote to unionize and are now getting ready to bargain their first contract.

Anna Lermer, Terra Gillespie and Joanna Adamiak, three staff-turned-organizers at Grassriots, all recognized there were issues at their workplace that warranted a response. “We came together in response to our fears about job security and pressures to hit productivity goals,” said Anna. Terra added, “With the culture of work shifting so quickly during the pandemic, it became clear that unionizing our workplace would give us all the tools and structure to navigate the ‘unprecedented’ times.”

From the beginning, organizing with their coworkers showed promising signs and impacts. “When my colleagues and I started having conversations we recognized a strong desire amongst ourselves to build collective power,” said Joanna. “The unionizing process helped us connect as a team and create a space to share concerns and support one another,” added Anna. 

Now they intend on exercising their rights and power as a union. “As a unionized workforce, we are looking to safeguard our current benefits, get a voice in shaping our contracts and ensure transparent and fair decision making from our management team through a collective agreement,” said Anna. In addition, Joanna finds confidence in their recent victory, “I am so proud of our organizing team! The fact that we had such a strong mandate to form a union speaks to our commitment to having a say about our working conditions.”

CUPE 1281 looks forward to supporting our new members at Grassriots in their efforts to build their union, collectively bargain with their employer and improve their conditions at work. “We are excited about the contributions the workers at Grassriots will make to our local, knowing our union grows stronger when our members are determined to fight for more. This is the time for CUPE 1281 to take charge in welcoming new workplaces and unionizing workers wherever we can,” said CUPE 1281 president Moe Alqasem.

CUPE Local 1281 IS SEEKING A STAFF REPRESENTATIVE and ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR/ASSISTANT STAFF REPRESENTATIVE

Administrative Coordinator/Assistant Staff Representative – Temporary Contract Position

WE ARE: CUPE 1281 is a chartered Local Union of the Canadian Union of Public Employees; a small grassroots Local that represents approximately 300 members with more than 46 separate collective agreements that govern workplace relations in 50 workplace locations. Our team includes one full-time staff representative, one part-time staff representative, one administrative coordinator/assistant staff representative, an eight-person elected executive, sub-local stewards, and member committees. We are dedicated to the promotion of social justice issues and advancing the rights of workers in a respectful, friendly and thoughtful workplace culture.

OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE: Has experience performing administrative tasks and a working knowledge of basic accounting principles, familiarity with the values and organizational structures of trade unions and is comfortable with membership outreach and communications.

SALARY: $27/hour. Benefits include: hybrid work and flexible hours, matching RRSP, professional development allowance, healthcare cost reimbursement, cell phone stipend and monthly work/travel stipend. This position is unionized under the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW).

DURATION: This contract is to cover an employee on maternity leave for a period of up to 12 months with the possibility of extension.

HOURS OF WORK: 35 hours per week. Primarily daytime hours but with flexible scheduling, including some evening meetings.

LOCATION: Main office is located at 25 Wood St, in downtown Toronto. Position includes a balance of both remote and some in-office work as needed.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES: The selected candidate must be able to perform in an inclusive manner to a diverse membership with accuracy and minimum supervision, the following duties, among others:

• File notices to bargain and regularly update bargaining timeline calendar for the Local;
• Send Ministry of Labour signed collective agreements and update collective agreements with newly agreed upon language;
• Coordinate with Staff Representatives to ensure printing, signing, mailing and filing of collective agreements;
• Maintain membership and steward list serves, as well as send members and stewards announcements, education opportunities, registration call‐outs, and other necessary alerts/information;
• Coordinate with CUPE 1281 Secretary‐Treasurer to confirm or make member accommodation/travel bookings and process member reimbursements and per diems;
• Maintain and regularly update membership mailing list and send new members membership package, add to mailing list and file signed letter of hire;
• Respond to member inquiries and forward inquiries to the relevant Staff Representative or Executive member;
• Respond to inquiries from CUPE National and coordinate the submitting of collective agreements and other materials to incoming staff reps;
• Ensure delegate and member enrolment in conferences, conventions, labour councils and CUPE councils, fall/spring schools, and other educational opportunities;
• Receive, deposit and record membership dues and dues forms;
• Regularly follow up with sub‐units in arrears;
• Receive, process and distribute incoming mail; review correspondence and refer to appropriate person or initiate reply as required; process outgoing mail and courier deliveries as required;
• Maintain filing systems for dues and executive minutes, and various administrative files and order office supplies as required;
• Book venues, catering and equipment for Stewards’ Council and Convention;
• Create and track RSVP forms, quorums, and various materials for elections and dues updates in advance of Convention;
• Coordinate Steward elections and send letters of Steward appointment to employers following ratification at Convention;
• Provide transition/training support to Executive members after Convention each June/July;
• Prepare dues report for Secretary‐Treasurer ahead of Stewards’ Council/Convention and collaborate with other executive members on office related/communication/other projects as required;
• Work with Equity Officer to send solidarity donations to approved organizations;
• Provide orientation support to newly hired CUPE 1281 staff or contract staff/bookkeepers;
• Receive bills, invoices, expense forms and write cheques and Track monthly cheques in Excel form to submit to bookkeeper;
• Attend member meetings or meetings with employer on behalf of, or with Staff Representative and in consultation with the Local President as needed;
• Support Staff Representative in collective bargaining occasionally.

QUALIFICATIONS

• We require post-secondary education or an equivalent combination of education and directly related work experience;
• Experience with trade unions and social justice organizations is an asset;
• Initiative in effectively establishing priorities and setting/meeting deadlines
• Must be organized and capable of completing tasks with a high degree of accuracy
• The ability to work independently, with minimal supervision;
• Experience working with a variety of computer software applications, including Google Suite, Zoom, Quickbooks, Excel, Word.
• Familiarity with social media tools, including Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and WordPress an asset
• the ability to ensure that communications and membership outreach are inclusive to the multiple needs of members;
• Above average oral and written communication skills in the English language.

CUPE Local 1281 is committed to a diverse, equitable and inclusive workspace. As part of our commitment to employment equity, CUPE 1281 encourages applications from qualified members of five designated groups: women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, racialized people and LGBTQ2+ people.

Deadline for Applications: Monday October 10th, 12pm, 2022

Interviews: To be held remotely between Oct 17th-Oct 21st.

Estimated Start Date: Monday Oct 31st

HOW TO APPLY:

Please submit (via email) a cover letter and resume in a single PDF document to the attention of the 1281 Hiring Committee at cupe1281@gmail.com 

Please no inquiries or phone calls. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for a remote online interview. Once we contact you, we welcome your questions during the interview process.

Full-Time Staff Representative

WE ARE: CUPE 1281 is a chartered Local Union of the Canadian Union of Public Employees; a small grassroots Local that represents approximately 300 members with more than 46 separate collective agreements that govern workplace relations in 50 workplace locations. Our team includes one full-time staff representative, one part-time staff representative, one administrative coordinator/assistant staff representative, an eight-person elected executive, sub-local stewards, and member committees. We are dedicated to the promotion of social justice issues and advancing the rights of workers in a respectful, friendly and thoughtful workplace culture.

OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE: You are experienced labour relations professional, believe in the principles of progressive trade unionism and social justice, and want to join us in promoting these values in the workplace and in broader society.

SALARY: $37/hour. Benefits include: hybrid work and flexible hours, matching RRSP, professional development allowance, healthcare cost reimbursement, cell phone stipend and monthly work/travel stipend. This position is unionized under the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW).

DURATION: This is a full-time permanent position.

HOURS OF WORK: 35 hours per week. Primarily daytime hours but with flexible scheduling, including some evening meetings and occasional travel.

LOCATION: Main office is located at 25 Wood St, in downtown Toronto. Position includes a balance of both remote and some in-office work as needed.

REQUIREMENTS:

The selected candidate must be able to perform the following duties and other related duties:

1. Membership Service: The Staff Representative is a resource person and advisor for members with work related problems. In this regard, the Staff Representative shall a) provide assistance and accurate advice with grievances and discipline; b) advise members as to their rights and obligations under relevant legislation and regulations, the Collective Agreement, CUPE National Constitution and the Local’s By-laws.
2. Grievances, representation, arbitrations, and other legal matters: The Staff Representative advises and represents members; investigates, prepares, presents and represents members in grievances with the assistance of Stewards and Executive officers; and assists with arbitrations, Labour Relations Board (or equivalent) proceedings and makes determinations on the merit and filing of grievances or resolving workplace/policy issues in alternative formats.
3. Contract Negotiations: The Staff Representative is the Chief Negotiator for sub-local bargaining teams and is the lead for all tasks associated with contract negotiations, including research, drafting of contract proposals, bargaining, organizing around the bargaining process, conciliation, mediation, and preparation for job action.
4. Resource to the Executive: The Staff Representative is a resource person and advisor to the local Executive and assists it in the carrying out of its duties. The Staff Representative will, unless otherwise advised, attend monthly Executive meetings, and shall report to the meeting, as deemed appropriate by the Executive. When requested, the Staff Representative shall attend membership and sub-local membership meetings, and Local committee meetings.
5. External Liaison: The Staff Representative is a liaison between the Local and the Local’s Employers and other affiliated groups, including unions, associations, and students’ unions.
6. Office Administration: The Staff Representative will aid the Local President, and Administrative Coordinator to ensure efficient operation of the Local’s Office in all administrative matters. The Staff Representative shall also assist in the training of the Assistant Staff Representative.
7. It is understood that the emphasis placed on the tasks in this job description may vary from time to time based on the needs of the Local. Setting of priorities shall be done in consultation with the Part-Time Staff-Representative and the Local President.
8. This job requires the employee to travel to different parts of the province, and to work evenings and the occasional weekend as required and agreed to. The workspace is flexible and the office space available is sometimes shared.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Post-secondary education in a relevant field or an equivalent combination of education and directly related work experience in labour relations.
• Experience with trade unions and small social justice organizations is required.
• Direct experience in grievances, collective bargaining and other labour relations work including discipline, and membership representation.
• Ability to effectively establish priorities and meet deadlines while working in a high-pressure work setting as demonstrated through experience in progressively responsible assignments.
• Excellent relationship management skills, including listening, advocating, negotiating, advising and conflict resolution, and situation-appropriate assertiveness are required.
• Understanding of collective bargaining, the Labour Relations Act, employment standards, workplace dynamics and the value of public services is required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of an anti-oppression framework and the ability to ensure communications and membership outreach are inclusive to the multiple needs of members
• Initiative, demonstrated organizational abilities, a high degree of accuracy, and the ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Above average oral and written communication skills in the English language
• Experience working with a variety of computer software, such as Google Workspace, Zoom, Word.

CUPE Local 1281 is committed to a diverse, equitable and inclusive workspace. As part of our commitment to employment equity, CUPE 1281 encourages applications from qualified members of five designated groups: women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, racialized people and LGBTQ2+ people.

Deadline for Applications: 12pm on Monday October 24th, 2022

Interviews: To be scheduled remotely

Estimated Start Date: Flexible

HOW TO APPLY:

Please submit (via email) a cover letter and resume in a single PDF document to the attention of the 1281 Hiring Committee at cupe1281@gmail.com 

Please no inquiries or phone calls. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for a remote online interview. Once we contact you, we welcome your questions during the interview process.