Dear CUPE 4879 Brothers and Sisters,
Your CUPE 4879 Negotiations Committee is met
with the employer on Thursday, March 2nd to discuss how to improve the JE point system. The goal is to have fewer or no jobs red-circled and either maintain the pay band at the original rate or improve the rankings. Red circling means a member’s salary is frozen at the current level until the new lower pay band for the position catches up through cost-of-living or other wage increases. It is demoralizing to the member and causes financial hardship, and it causes inequality in the workplace when new workers get hired at a lower pay band. The employer also sees a need for improvements for the purposes of hiring and retention.
In solidarity with our friends and coworkers who have been affected by red-circling under the current JE plan, the Union will be running a campaign “See Red. Wear Red.” Thursdays. Starting this Thursday March 2nd, we ask all CUPE 4879 members to wear red in support of our red-circled members and to let the employer know that we want and need to make changes. Red-coloured hats, scarves, t-shirts, or jackets will make a visible statement of support for the Negotiations Committee and a message of solidarity with our fellow members. Please spread the word by inviting your colleagues to join in the wear red campaign. Send us your pictures or post them on Facebook and Twitter #seeredwearred #mytru #cupe4879
We will keep you posted as we progress in the talks. If you have suggestions about how to improve the JE process, feedback for the Negotiating Committee, or questions about red-circling, please contact the CUPE Office at cupe4879@tru.ca or lorugg@gmail.com.
In solidarity and on behalf of the Executive and Negotiation Committee,
Lois Rugg, President
CUPE Local 4879
A big shout out to Chris Ward for initiating this campaign and suggesting the theme.