Langara Information Bulletin - Updated

As you may have heard by now, the Langara Faculty Association has taken a strike vote and served 72 hours strike notice to Langara College. You may be wondering “what does this mean to my job”.

The following Q & A should hopefully help answer many of your questions. Should you require further information, please do not hesitate to contact a negotiating committee member. Their names will be listed below. As well you can ask any Shop Steward.

In addition, CUPE Local 15 will be conducting member information meetings during the following dates and times on page 2 to provide information and seek input from our members regarding this very important set of negotiations.

Q – What does it mean by serving 72 hours strike notice?
A – 72 hours strike notice is the minimum time required by the Labour Relations Code that a Union must provide to an employer in the event the Union plans on taking strike action.
Q – How will we know if there will be a strike at Langara?
A – There are different forms of strike action a union can take. It can be a ban on overtime or it could be another form of job action. It does not always have to be a picket line in front of the college. CUPE 15 will send out a notice to all members if LFA takes any strike action.
Q – What do I do if I arrive to work at Langara and there is a picket line?
A – Your collective agreement protects you from being disciplined when you do not cross a legal picket line. There will be a CUPE 15 representative available to speak to.
Q – Will I be paid for the day if there is a picket line?
A – Do not cross the picket line. You will be marked absent without pay by the employer. You will however receive picket pay for supporting the picket line. A formula is applied to calculate your pay, which also takes into consideration the duration of the strike, with an emphasis being that members must be actively participating in a strike. There is no strike pay benefit if you do not participate. In addition, benefits are covered as well, but again, only if there is active participation in the strike.
Q – Who do I report to if there is a picket line?
A – There will be a CUPE Local 15 representative available to register you at the picket line and provide you with further information.
Q – How will I know who that is?
A – They will be wearing identification that identifies them as being a CUPE Local 15 representative.

CUPE Local 15 Membership Information Meetings

Dates: Thursday, March 17
Tuesday, March 22
Wednesday, March 30

Times: Noon to 2:00 p.m. – Drop In
Location: Room A218, Langara

Meeting times are set up to be convenient for members to drop by when they can.

Information packages will be made available to members attending the meetings.

Your Union Negotiating Committee is:
Bob Loitz – Instructional Media Services
Zeljka Loncaric – Library
Brian McGibney – Fine Arts
Reba Noel – Counselling
Chrissy Poulos – Office of the Registrar
Ken Schmunk – Bookstore
Jim Wong – Chemistry (retired)

Please feel free to contact either the negotiating committee members or Kathie Currie, CUPE Local 15 Staff Representative.

In solidarity,
Kathie Currie
Staff Representative
on behalf of your Langara CUPE Local 15 Negotiating Committee
Bob Loitz, Zeljka Loncaric, Brian McGibney, Reba Noel, Chrissy Poulos, Ken Schmunk, Jim Wong

bas.CEP L467-UW