The discovery of the remains of 215 children at the Kamloops Residential School was shocking and heartbreaking, but it was not unexpected, sadly. There are many ways in which we can show our compassion for and support of Indigenous people in British Columbia and across Canada. Wear an orange shirt, take shoes (children’s ideally) to the Royal Bank Plaza on campus, or find some other way to show your support. Displaying children’s shoes is a visual expression of the enormous losses Indigenous people have suffered through the residential school system.

We also encourage you to write a letter to your MP demanding that the federal government fund forensic archaeological investigations of all residential school sites in Canada and that they follow through on their promise to provide clean drinking water for all indigenous communities.

CUPE 1858’s First Vice-President, Jannine Grant, has some good news to share with us.

“I graduated from VIU with BA in English and Creative Writing (2021) with the financial support of VIU tuition waivers, and CUPE Training and Development Committee funding for which I am truly grateful! When we work together as unionists, our actions of solidarity not only protect our rights but also lift us all up by providing opportunities to reach our full potential.  

Thanks to all of you, CUPE 1858 members for your support! I stand with you in solidarity, and will do my best to serve you & our collective interests.”

Congratulations on your accomplishment, Jannine. We look forward to working with you.

While times of great pressure can bring out the worst in some people, it also brings out the best in many more.  So, in this time of constant change when too many things are out of our control, let’s all try to focus on the positive, on the stories of kindness, solidarity and good will happening within the membership every day.

If you have a story to share, whether you want to be known or remain anonymous, click HERE to email us.

Please Note: Due to COVID-19 Restrictions, we will be holding General Meetings (GM) via Zoom until further notice.

Local 1858 holds GMs each month during the academic year (September – June). We do not hold meetings in July or August. Your attendance and participation at these meetings is important because they give you a way to keep up-to-date on events that could impact you. They also give you a space to voice your opinion regarding how the Executive manages the business of the Local.

Throughout the year, there are important meetings to note:

September GM – President’s Activity Report (April – July) – The President presents an activity report to membership three times per year, sending it out via email in advance of the GM. Members are welcome to bring questions to the meeting. For more information on what you can expect from this report refer to these Guidelines.

October GM – Annual Budget – At this meeting, the Executive presents the proposed budget for the next fiscal year (Jan-Dec). Members debate the budget and vote on whether or not they approve it.

November GM – Mid-Year Trustees’ Audit Report – The Trustees present their 6-month Audit for the current fiscal year.

December AGM – Executive & Trustee Elections – Members elect their Union Officers who will work to fulfill the Local’s legal responsibilities as a trade union, and to complete the other work required to function as an organization.

​CUPE Cares Service Awards – Annually, members nominate their colleagues for service awards from the Local. The Local presents awards for professionalism, community service and service to the union. Information on the Awards can be found HERE. If you wish to nominate a colleague use this FORM.

President’s Activity Report (August – November) – The President presents an activity report for the period of December – March, sending it out via email in advance of the AGM. Members are welcome to bring questions to the meeting.

April GM – President’s Activity Report (December – March) – The President presents an activity report for the period of December – March, sending it out via email in advance of the GM. Members are welcome to bring questions to the meeting.

June GM – Committee Elections – Members are elected to act as representatives on the Local’s standing/general committees, joint VIU-CUPE committees, and affiliated labour committees/councils.

Annual Trustees’ Audit Report – The Trustees present their completed Audit from the previous fiscal year.

​Bargaining Team Elections (as appropriate) – The year before a Collective Agreement term ends, members elect representatives to act on their behalf in the next round of negotiations.

By-Elections
When a committee or elected officer resigns. we hold a by-election at the next possible GM to fill that position.

The Weebly site CUPE1858.org has served Local 1858 well over the years but with a sharp new logo in production, Tiffany McLaughlin, President, turned her sights toward revamping the local’s website.

“CUPE National provides web-hosting services for free and I liked the look and functionality of the templates they offer. Our redesigned logo has sharp lines that will complement the website’s designs and we can incorporate our colours into the new website’s format.” Tiffany explained.

“I feel that the new logo and website, which are more consistent with CUPE branding, make us look and feel like a part of the bigger CUPE family.”

Local 1858’s new website will go live in February 2021.