History

The Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 2950 was originally certified in 1974 as Local 1 of the Association of University and College Employees (AUCE), representing UBC's secretarial, administrative/clerical, and library workers, both on campus and at the affiliated UBC teaching hospitals. Certification followed the organizing efforts of a group of UBC employees and a vote in which a large majority of workers voted for the Union.

Subsequent locals of AUCE were formed at other post-secondary institutions in B.C., including SFU and Capilano College.

In 1983, a decision was made by the membership to disassociate with AUCE, and to look at other unions with the consideration of becoming an affiliate of another labour organization. After lengthy study, it was decided that we would enter into a two-year agreement with the Canadian Union of Public Employees. At the end of this term, the membership voted to become a chartered CUPE Local.

On September 26, 1985, we were officially recognized by the Labour Relations Board as having adopted our former name of Canadian University Employees (to distinguish us from the other 2 Locals on campus) relinquishing all identity with AUCE.

Women constitute over 92% of the membership of CUPE 2950, therefore a major concern of ours has been the status of women in the workforce in general and at UBC in particular. Most women are not in unions and consequently earn only half to two-thirds as much as the average male worker. UBC was no exception, and in fact at the time of our certification, wages were even lower than those paid in offices downtown. The $250 across-the-board increase we won in our first contract did much to offset this, but still left our female-type jobs significantly underpaid compared to male-type jobs on campus of similar skill and qualification levels. The roll-back of our wages under the Anti-inflation Board in the 70's and subsequent small annual increases have been once again widening this gap. Our demand for equal pay for work of equal value is therefore more appropriate now than ever.