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 STAFF
Connie Angman, Executive Assistant
236-425-2141 (or Local 2141)
cupe4879@shaw.ca
Connie Angman, Executive Assistant
CUPE 4879 MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE 2021-22
Lois Rugg, President
Lois Rugg, President
Cindy Ozouf, 1st Vice President
Cindy Ozouf, 1st Vice President
Jackie Enders, 2nd Vice President
Jackie Enders, 2nd Vice President
Lyn Ferec, Treasurer
Lyn Ferec, Treasurer
Melissa Schuurman, Recording Secretary
Melissa Schuurman, Recording Secretary
Laszlo Nemes, Sgt. at Arms
Laszlo Nemes, Sgt. at Arms
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 2024)
- Sarah Aloisio (term expires 2025) saloisio@tru.ca
- Jaspreet Kaur (term exp 2026) jkaur@tru.ca
- Rachael MacLeod (1year alternate term expires 2024) rmacleod@tru.ca
Negotiating Committee
- Melissa Schuurman
- Lois Rugg
- Cindy Ozouf
- Lyn Ferec
- Jackie Enders
- Evelyn Senger (alternate)
Grievance Committee
- Lois Rugg
- Jackie Enders
- Cindy Ozouf
- Melissa Schuurman
- Sarah Aloisio
- Jasmine Haskell
Labour Management
- Lois Rugg
- Cindy Ozouf
- Kristen Webb
- Linda Fleck
- Sarah Aloisio
Joint Occupational Health & Safety Reps
- Randy Hofman
- Lavanya Nandikolla
Trustees
- Linda Fleck (term expires 2024)
- Cristian Sonea (term expires 2025)
- Kathleen Johnston (term expires 2026)
Education Committee
- Cindy Ozouf (term expires 2024)
- Kam Johal (term expires 2025)
- Tony Kuczma (term expires 2026)
Social Committee
- Laszlo Nemes
- Cindy Ozouf
- Shannon James
- Shilpee Sharma
- Tony Kuczma
- Kamel Johal
- Dan Stultz
Communications Committee
- Lois Rugg
- Cristian Sonea
- Cindy Ozouf (Chair)
- Kasahra Atkins
- Ernest Kwok
Adhoc By-Law Committee
- Lyn Ferec (Executive Liaison)
- Harry Nott (Advisor to the By-law Committee) (CUPE National Representative)
- Melissa Schuurman
- Eliza Pycock
- Vacancy
Parking Appeal Advisory Committee
- Jaspreet Kaur
- Jasmine Haskell
Shop Stewards
- Lois Rugg
- Cindy Ozouf
- Lyn Ferec
- Melissa Schuurman
- Jasmine Haskell
- Jackie Enders
- Linda Fleck
- Stacy Penã
- Joanne Atherton
- Kathleen Johnston
- Sarah Aloisio
- Shilpee Sharma
- Janine Rostron
- Katharine Ranta
- Devon De Vries
- Clare Jefferson
- 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
- Melissa Schuurman
- Jasmine Haskell
- Jackie Enders
- Linda Fleck
- Stacy Penã
- Shilpee Sharma
- Kathleen Johnston
- Katharine Ranta
- Clare Jefferson
- Janine Rostron
- Devon De Vries
- Sarah Aloisio
Shop stewards in Williams Lake:
Rhea Clements