About us

We would like to acknowledge that we are on the traditional lands of the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc (Kamloops campus) and the T’exelc (Williams Lake campus) within Secwépemc’ulucw, the traditional and unceded territory of the Secwépemc. Our region also extends into the territories of the St’át’imc, Nlaka’pamux, Nuxalk, Tŝilhqot’in, Dakelh, and Syilx peoples

CUPE 4879 is the union of support staff at Thompson Rivers University (TRU). We are a local of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which is the largest labour union in BC and in Canada.

The mandate of CUPE 4879 is to improve and maintain the social and economic welfare of our members, to promote efficiency in Public Employment and to give clear evidence of its recognition of the unity of organized labour (solidarity among workers and other labour organizations).

Our members work in different locations across BC, with the majority of workers in Kamloops and Williams Lake. CUPE 4879 represents 600-700 support staff at TRU. Our members are utility workers, technicians, admissions officers, electricians, carpenters, administrative assistants, library workers, course editors, production technicians, marketing, orientation leaders, advisors, and many of the student workers on campus, such as co-op students, work study students, and teaching assistants. Many of our jobs directly support students and faculty while others are more administrative or facility related.

CUPE 4879 is a democratic union. Our members determine what the union does, how it operates, what stands it takes on issues, and what goals it sets for the future. Every member of CUPE 4879 has the opportunity to participate in our union. We hold general meetings the 2nd Wednesday of the month (except July and August). We have won the right to negotiate wages and working conditions; to stop arbitrary action by the employer; and to speak out without fear of reprisal.

Contact Form

To contact the CUPE 4879 office or any of the committees, please use this contact form.

Executive & Staff

CUPE 4879 Executive and Staff

Executive Assistant
236-425-2141 (or Local 2141)
cupe4879@shaw.ca

Connie Angman, CUPE 4879 office administrator.

Connie Angman, Executive Assistant

 

 

EXECUTIVE 

Lois Rugg, President 

Lois Rugg, President

Cindy Ozouf, 1st Vice President

Cindy Ozouf, 1st Vice President

Vivian Oosthoek, Second Vice President  

Vivian Oosthoek, 2nd Vice President

Jackie Enders, Treasurer

Jackie Enders, Treasurer

Devon de Vries, Recording Secretary

(Photo coming soon)

Laszlo Nemesz, Membership Officer

Laszlo Nemesz, Membership Officer

Committees

CUPE 4879 has several active committees that members can participate in during their employment.

Joint Job Evaluation Committee (JJEC)

The Joint Job Evaluation Committee (JJEC) is responsible for evaluating newly created positions and for reviewing positions submitted for re-evaluation. The committee is made up of three CUPE members appointed by election and three Administrative representatives appointed by the university President. Please see the Resources section for JJEC forms.

  • Michael Dillon (term expires 2027) mdillon@tru.ca
  • Greg Ellis (term expires 2025) gellis@tru.ca
  • Jaspreet Kaur (term exp 2026) jkaur@tru.ca
  • Steve Zamudio (1year alternate term expires 2025) szamudio@tru.ca

Negotiating Committee 

  • Lois Rugg
  • Cindy Ozouf
  • Lyn Ferec
  • Jackie Enders
  • Evelyn Senger (alternate)

Grievance Committee

  • Lois Rugg
  • Jackie Enders
  • Cindy Ozouf (chair)
  • Devon de Vries
  • Shilpee Sharma

Labour Management

  • Lois Rugg (co-chair)
  • Cindy Ozouf
  • Linda Fleck
  • Evelyn Senger
  • Leah Stubbings

Joint Occupational Health & Safety Reps

  • Randy Hofman
  • Lavanya Nandikolla

Trustees

  • Shilpee Sharma (term expires 2027)
  • Cristian Sonea (term expires 2025)
  • Kathleen Johnston (term expires 2026)

Education Committee

  • Cindy Ozouf (Executive Liaison)
  • Dan Stultz (term expires 2027)
  • Tony Kuczma (term expires 2026)
  • Shilpee Sharm (term expires 2025)

Social Committee

  • Laszlo Nemes
  • Cindy Ozouf
  • Shannon James
  • Shilpee Sharma
  • Tony Kuczma
  • Dan Stultz

Communications Committee

  • Lois Rugg
  • Cristian Sonea
  • Cindy Ozouf (Chair)
  • Ernest Kwok
  • Kasahra Atkins
  • Robert Wisla
  • Kayla Sanford

Parking Appeal Advisory Committee

  • Vivian Oosthoek
  • Michael Dhillon

Shop Stewards

  • Lois Rugg
  • Cindy Ozouf
  • Lyn Ferec
  • Jackie Enders
  • Linda Fleck
  • Shilpee Sharma
  • Kathleen Johnston
  • Katharine Ranta
  • Janine Rostron
  • Devon de Vries
  • Kasahra Atkins
  • Rhea Clements (Williams Lake)

To contact a shop steward please contact –  Lois Rugg (President) 236-425-2142 or 250-318-9919 or reach out to our CUPE 4879 office at 236-425-2141 or email cupe4879@shaw.ca

Shop stewards

What is a shop steward?

Shop stewards are union members who have received training to represent and defend the interests of other members in the workplace, sometimes through the grievance process. They enforce the provisions of our collective agreement in the workplace and ensure that TRU is in compliance with labour laws. Stewards also share official union news and information and promote union values in the workplace.

When is it appropriate to speak with a shop steward?

Anytime!

How to speak with a shop steward?

To speak with a shop steward contact please contact –  Lois Rugg (President) 236-425-2142 or 250-318-9919 or reach out to our CUPE 4879 office at 236-425-2141 or email cupe4879@shaw.ca

Shop stewards in Kamloops:

  • Lois Rugg
  • Cindy Ozouf
  • Lyn Ferec
  • Jackie Enders
  • Linda Fleck
  • Shilpee Sharma
  • Kathleen Johnston
  • Katharine Ranta
  • Kasahra Atkins
  • Janine Rostron
  • Devon de Vries

Shop stewards in Williams Lake:

Rhea Clements