Member Report

Attending the CUPE BC Convention as a delegate from CUPE 2950 at UBC was a meaningful and energizing experience. It was in Victoria, situated on the traditional territories of the Songhees and Xwsepsum (Esquimalt) Nations, the area holds deep cultural roots, and I was mesmerized by the spring beauty it offered. The fresh mornings provided a perfect and refreshing start to each day of the convention. From the very beginning, the convention created a strong sense of purpose and unity. I appreciated how the space was grounded in respect and inclusion, which carried through all the discussions and interactions over the course of the convention.

One of the most valuable parts of the experience was connecting with both familiar faces and new delegates. It was inspiring to hear how members from other locals have grown into leadership roles and strengthened their advocacy work within their communities. I also really appreciated the diversity in the room—each person brought their own lived experience, and it was powerful to see how those experiences shaped the way they engaged with different resolutions. It made the conversations feel real and deeply connected to the work we do every day.

Throughout the convention, several discussions stood out as key takeaways for me. A strong focus across many conversations was the importance of equity, anti-racism, and ensuring that all workers feel safe and supported in their workplaces. This connected closely with my support for Resolution 65, which speaks to the realities faced by migrant and racialized workers. What stood out to me is how fear—whether related to immigration status or discrimination—can prevent workers from speaking up. That not only impacts those individuals, but it lowers standards for everyone. It reinforced for me how important it is that our union continues to take a clear and active stance against these systemic issues.

Another major takeaway for me was around childcare and how deeply it impacts workers’ ability to participate fully in their jobs. This is something I personally resonate with. Hearing others share similar struggles made it clear that this is not an isolated issue, but a widespread challenge. The lack of accessible and reliable childcare continues to force workers into difficult positions—whether that means delaying a return to work, reducing hours, or missing opportunities altogether. What stayed with me is the idea that childcare should not feel like a constant struggle or uncertainty, but something workers can depend on. Addressing this would have a direct and meaningful impact on fairness and equality in the workplace. It was really enlightening for me to see how this also connects to the pension piece and long-term impacts on workers.

I also found it valuable to hear broader conversations touching on worker well-being, job security, and long-term supports like pensions and safe working conditions. These discussions connected everyday workplace issues to bigger systemic changes, and reminded me how important it is to look at both immediate needs and long-term protections for workers.

The guest speakers were another highlight and brought a lot of energy into the room. Hearing from Premier David Eby, as well as labour leaders like the CUPE Saskatchewan President and the BCGEU President, was incredibly motivating. What stood out across all of their remarks was a shared message: when workers stand together and fight collectively, change happens. That message really boosted morale and reinforced the strength of solidarity within the labour movement.

Overall, the convention left me feeling motivated and more connected to the broader work of our union. It strengthened my understanding of the challenges many workers are facing, while also showing the power we have when we come together. I’m grateful for the opportunity to have attended, to have learned from others, and to bring these insights and connections back to CUPE 2950 as we continue to advocate for fairness, equity, and dignity for all workers.

In solidarity,
Ritika Nandwani

Diversity Chair Report

I recently had the privilege of attending the CUPE BC  2026 Convention and would recommend attending a convention to all members of our local.

As a first-time delegate, the convention was inspiring, enlightening, and, admittedly, a little overwhelming. The stories and debates that surrounded the many well-thought-out resolutions demonstrated the passion and commitment our fellow CUPE members have for the important topics which were brought forward.

As an advocate of EDI, I was extremely pleased to see the overwhelming support for resolutions condemning Residential School denialism, lobbying to declare gender-based violence a public safety emergency, increasing supports for 2SLGBTQIA+ members and community organizations who support them, and expanding supports and recognition for the deaf and hard of hearing community.

With over 500 attendees, I pushed past my intense fear of public speaking and spoke in support of two additional resolutions:

• Strengthen advocacy for public healthcare in BC, particularly those areas of the public health system that are chronically underfunded, and under resourced, including but not limited to rural health, long-term care, hospital and primary healthcare, comprehensive community health services, pharmacare, and mental health care.
• Lobby the provincial government to commit to longer term funding for school meal programs and work closely with the federal government to scale up funding.

The Convention reignited my passion for advocacy work, and I encourage any and all of our members to reach out to me if they would like any additional information, or would like to join our Diversity Committee.

In solidarity,
Christina Needham

Job Evaluation Chair Report

This year’s CUPE B.C. convention marks another great year of the province’s many public sector workers collaborating to further our common interests.

I am pleased to have been given the opportunity to meet Karen Ranalletta, President of CUPE B.C. and former President of CUPE 2950. I also got a chance to see many of the Executive Committee members of our local in-person.

The outlook for B.C.’s public service sector this year appeared mildly apprehensive. CUPE B.C.’s strike and defense fund is continuing its healthy recovery from the last 2014 K-12 strike from the Christy Clark era of underfunding schools and other essential public services. The province’s private sector has already been affected by changes in the global economy, and so there is unease that this loss of tax revenues will lead to a reduction in public service funding moving forward.

However, this projection for the upcoming times ahead have brought us closer together. Delegates from across the province voted nearly unanimously in support of our fight against some of the most pressing issues before us today: resisting against the threat of American Manifest Destiny geopolitics, demanding fairer wages in light of the rising cost of living, and fighting for the rights of workers, CUPE or otherwise, to organize and demonstrate job action to protect our dignity.

Interesting times are just beyond the horizon. When we stand united, we can overcome a great deal of challenges that await us.

In solidarity,
Philip Yu

Education Chair Report

I was a first-time delegate at this year’s CUPE BC Convention, and found it to be a worthwhile learning experience overall. As a newly elected member of 2950’s executive, I didn’t know what to expect from a convention like this or what the format would include. It was powerful to be in the same space as hundreds of people from all over the province who are taking an active role in their locals, and who were eager to share their experiences and the various challenges they face across different sectors. A theme that stood out for me among many of the guest speakers was the importance of standing firm and united under increasing pressure. Various wins achieved through job action and solidarity between locals (the Air Canada strike being a popular example) were big points of discussion, and while worthy of celebrating, it was also made clear that the work is far from over when it comes to increasing the quality of life for workers in this province. 

Education was front and center in many of the resolutions that made it to the floor. We heard from education assistants struggling with harassment and abuse in the classroom on a daily basis who are routinely told it’s just part of their job, while simultaneously facing a shortage of qualified workers in those positions. There were calls for increased support and protections for those workers, including a resolution to lobby the government for Recognition of Violence in the Classroom, and another to Set a Standard of Practice for Base Level Education Assistants. We also heard from members working at colleges and universities across BC and passed resolutions to Reinvest in Public Post-Secondary Education, seek Public Investment in Skilled Trades, Technical and Vocational Programs, as well as Lobby the Government for Recognition of Student Workers as Employees. The latter came from our sister local 2278, which submitted several resolutions that I was both impressed and motivated by. 

While most resolutions were passed without too much back-and-forth discussion or differing opinions, I was moved to see a long line of delegates speaking in favour of a resolution to Continue Supporting the ARC Foundation, which brings SOGI 123 inclusive education to the K-12 school system in BC, after its importance was questioned during debate. It was a show of solidarity for the LGBTQ+ community, and an example of lived experience being used to educate and expand perspectives in real time. 

One thing that I found a bit disappointing was the number of resolutions submitted, compared to the number that were given the time for discussion. Several resolutions submitted by individual locals that were focused on human rights and political action on an international scale – which may have inspired meaningful debate or education on the floor – were slated for the opening day of convention at a point in the agenda where it would not have been possible to get to them in the amount of time allotted. Some of those resolutions included Condemnation of Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE), Continued Support of the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) Movement, Calling for an Arms Embargo, National Union Statement on Venezuelan Crisis, Public Statement in Solidarity with Unions in Minnesota, Allied Lobby on Iranian State Human Rights Violations and Crimes, Declare a Hot Cargo Edict and Endorse the Arms Embargo Now Campaign, and Lobby for the Withdrawal of Support for Working Definition of Anti-Semitism. I do feel that these kinds of resolutions are important to make space for and that regardless of geographical location, human rights abuses, war crimes and genocide affect all of us. We have a role to play as a strong union collective, as members of the working class, and as human beings. 

I’m grateful for the opportunity to have attended the convention in Victoria this year, and feel inspired by the actions of other locals and the voices of their members. I would love to see 2950 submit some resolutions of our own next year and bring our voice to the floor, and I hope to keep learning more between now and then about how our local can push its provincial and federal counterparts to make meaningful change and show support for those who need it. 

In solidarity,
Bailey Nicholson

President Report

The CUPE BC Convention provided our delegates with the opportunity to hear from locals across the province about issues that matter most to them. The Environmental & Climate Justice committee passed Resolution 57 which calls for the government to monitor and regulate the environmental impacts of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Data centres are being built around the province that use clean municipal drinking water funded by taxpayers like us to cool systems, and there are also considerations around energy use, mining and electronic waste that are of concern. We called for disclosures around the impacts of AI technologies on jobs as well. Resolution 33 called on the government to invest in a unified, provincially-owned and operated public transportation system across British Columbia. We want to move privately operated transit systems into direct public operation so that better service is provided to transit users in communities across the province. Our current Translink Board of Directors is made up of individuals who do not necessarily take transit, and thus do not necessarily advocate for the needs of workers and transit users.  A constitutional resolution was passed to recognize Young Workers (under 30 years of age) as an equity-seeking group, enabling the liaison position to be recognized as a Diversity Vice-President. Finally, our Environment Committee hosted an event that discussed the environmental impacts of Seamless Childcare implemented in public schools with CUPE members. Parents across the province are spending inordinate amounts of time commuting between childcare spaces, schools and work with their children, which increases fossil fuel usage. Clustering child care spaces on school grounds near communities and workplaces and providing families with the opportunities to use clean transportation (walking, biking, transit) to drop their children off just once during the day rather than ferrying them between school and other activities during their work day. Schools are built to be energy and climate efficient, so ensuring that child care spaces are included makes sense. The care economy needs to grow so that our province doesn’t continue to rely on mining and polluting industry jobs to keep our economy afloat. CUPE members in schools are ready to provide professional public child care and early childhood education. We just need our government to take action. A report published by the Coalition of Childcare Advocates of BC  goes into details about this important initiative.

In solidarity,
Chloe Martin-Cabanne

Sergeant at Arms Report

I volunteered to attend the CUPE BC Convention, and I’d do it again in heartbeat, after attending the recent CUPE National one this past fall, and becoming more involved with the Union. While the anxiety of convention that I had when I first attended one back in 2023 wasn’t there, I was still very excited for the experience.

It always a great chance to hear the guest speakers, vote on resolutions, and hear about the impacts, stories and rationales people had for supporting them. That being said, the conference wasn’t just about resolutions there were many talks, receptions and lunches. I got to meet some interesting people, enjoy the nice weather in beautiful Victoria.

In solidarity,
Kevin Veltheer

April 24-27, 2024 at the Westin Bayshore in Vancouver, BC

Chloe Martin-Cabanne, President

It was wonderful to attend the CUPE BC Convention at the Westin Bayshore. We had a dynamic group of CUPE 2950 delegates, full of questions and enthusiasm for the resolutions and speakers we heard throughout our busy days.

This was my first Convention as an elected CUPE BC Executive Board member, and my focus was on passing the resolutions that our Environment & Climate Justice Committee put forward for debate by the delegates. I’m happy to report that we passed a resolution for CUPE National to implement a Climate Emergency Action Plan to specify goals, strategies, and timelines to reduce the carbon footprint of our union activities, as well as provide guidance to locals and district councils on how we can do more to recognize the climate emergency. Our delegates participated in a Convention Reimagined forum, where we heard from folks about more environmental ways to conduct the business of Convention. Our ECJC passed a resolution to lobby the BC government to expand the CleanBC plan to establish targets in line with the BC Climate Emergency Action Plan. Our committee also put forward constitutional amendments which were hotly debated and sparked good conversation throughout the delegation. Ultimately these failed to pass, and we referred them back to the committee to make changes for next year. We’ll need to do some organizing to ensure that support is garnered for these resolutions in the future. There were some other resolution highlights which our delegates discuss below. They told their stories about some of the resolutions in front of the 500 delegates in attendance when given the chance as well! I’m looking forward to participating in Think Tank to help action these resolutions in the next year.

The focus of this year’s convention was on politics. Premier David Eby spoke to our delegation and answered questions about various issues that have been brought up by committees. Jagmeet Singh, Federal Leader of the NDP sent in his greetings via video. The provincial election is coming up on October 19, 2024 and the Federal Election will be called in 2025. It will be important for CUPE members to turn out at the polls to vote for progressive politicians who present solutions for working people. The NDP are responsible for the high wage increases we saw during the 2022 round of bargaining. They have made it easier for workers to unionize through card check, have repatriated healthcare workers to HEU, have implemented dental and pharmacare plans nationwide, and so much more. But the right wing has messaging of their own that is full of misinformation about what is best for workers. Make no mistake, the Liberals and Conservatives will reverse the trajectory we are on to implement better healthcare services, more housing, and higher wages.

Lisa Hoang, Diversity Chair

As a first time delegate at CUPE BC, it was wonderful to partake on discussions and seeing our delegates speak up on issues. It was intimidating speaking in front of 500+ people on your own with a mic and two big screens showing your every move and with live closed captioning and American Sign Language but I did it!

​The biggest takeaways is that there are a lot of unions that do not have caucus support groups. For example, at our union, we have a BIPOC Caucus that was created last year, but members from other locals do not have such support groups—which makes us fortunate and privileged that our union provides support to our members and that it is up to us to utilize these services and get the network and support we need and without fear or intimidation.

There are 2 actionable takeaways for us making a difference and improve on our self agency:

• Save HandyDART (petition): Persons with disabilities and elderly use HandyDART to get to daily medical appointments, adult daycare centres, and other essential services—please support and sign the petition to help those that need it. https://saveourhandydart.ca/  

• Join the Racial Equity and Justice Caucus: there is a caucus held via Zoom every two months in the evening (personal time). Sign up here. This caucus is of the BC Federation of Labour is a space to network, and discuss on work and home issues.

Click here to read Lisa’s report of resolutions and key takeaways

Mahnoor Lone, Recording Secretary

I attended my first CUPE BC Convention this past week from 24^th-27^th April, 2024 along with my fellow CUPE 2950 delegates.  This convention was an extremely important experience in my journey towards learning more about unions and the labor movement in so-called Canada. It allowed me to reflect deeply on what it means to be a worker and a unionist in this moment and this place. Workers from all over the province gathered for four days at the Westin Bayshore hotel in the un-ceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlil̓wətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples. We spent these days listening to each other and learning about the significant problems our fellow unionists deal with on a daily basis as well as equity and humans right issues we want each other’s support to work on. We also heard from executive members who lead CUPE at national and provincial levels, community organizers working on urgent initiatives, and local NDP politicians.

Other attendees were vocal about their real-life instances and the hardships they had to face due to certain resolutions not being adopted and I felt moved by some of them. One resolution that I connected with and would like to state was which advocated for 5 days of paid leave for all individuals afflicted by natural and environmental disasters. I also stepped up in support of this one, which was passed on the floor. It has been difficult for CUPE 2950 employees to commute in snowstorms, especially for those who are differently abled or may be expecting, and they have had to rely on their sick time/vacation balance during such stressful times. Transit is unsafe, and not everyone has the ability or desire to go long distances to work in harsh weather. I look forward to applying such constructive principles at UBC, which safeguards our principles, solidifies the union, and establishes the framework for an equitable workforce at UBC.

 The most moving, urgent, and educational parts of the convention were, in my opinion, the debates about a range of equity and human rights resolutions undertaken by the rank and file membership of the organization. The third and fourth days of the convention were when most of these lively conversations took place. Some of the key resolutions we discussed and passed included doing more work to counter the climate crisis, lobbying for pension for all workers, ensuring paid leave for workers facing sexual and intimate partner violence, lobbying for a red-dress alert system in BC, and pushing for Truth & Reconciliation training. Additionally, several resolutions also called for CUPE BC to respond to the horrific on-going genocide in Palestine. We passed two resolutions on this subject: one that urged CUPE BC to call for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and another resolution calling for public support to be extended to the international BDS campaign that aims to end Israeli apartheid and oppression of Palestinians. As part of this latter resolution CUPE BC would also cease doing business with companies complicit in apartheid and genocide.

It was also extremely eye-opening to learn about the kinds of hurdles workers in other sectors face. We heard from educational assistants who routinely have to face violence from the children and young students they work with, without any adequate support. Speakers on this resolution explained that a solution to this urgent problem needs a complex response which also addresses the social causes affecting these children that are at the root of their behavior. Discussions such as these drove home the importance of building solidarity with all locals and workers within our union to support their struggles.

We also discussed resolutions about the safety and wellbeing of our 2SLGBTQIA+ workers-in-arms. One such resolution urged CUPE BC to encourage locals to work with organizations and Canadian Anti-Hate Network in light of the concerning amounts of hatred and discrimination on the rise against those identifying as 2SLGBTQIA+ , especially Trans people. Members of the Pink Triangle committee spoke to the importance of letting our local members know about these important initiatives and getting them involved. One important resource they shared is a Facebook group whereby members can find out about events and initiatives close to them.

There were also some aspects of the convention that I felt could be improved upon. For instance the very structured format of discussion was not entirely suitable for some discussions. The deep-rooted and long-standing discrimination and violence facing our indigenous comrades is one subject, for instance, that needed more space and time than three-minute speeches. In general, I did feel that incorporating more of less formal discussion spaces could improve convention. While we had some sessions like this, those were optional and did not feel enough. 

Despite these shortcomings, however, this was an extremely valuable experience. I would encourage my fellow members to consider joining convention next year. In fact, if there are subjects you feel that the union should work on it is also worthwhile to gather like-minded people and submit a resolution prior to convention.

Click here to read Mahnoor’s report of Indigenous Committee Resolutions

Ritika Nandwani, Lead Steward

It was a phenomenal chance to attend the CUPE BC Convention, which took place from April 24 to April 27, 2024, at the Westin Bayshore in Vancouver. I was unacquainted of how these conventions may increase one’s worldview and awareness of current events, as well as the value of convention procedures in promoting discussions on imperative constitutional amendments and resolutions. Hearing other British Columbian locals speak ardently about their life practices was another enriching involvement. It was whole-some for me to learn from their firsthand experiences.

David Eby’s speech, which was one of the key highlights, talked about how workers in British Columbia now have the chance to enjoy their jobs, pay, benefits, and dignity—things that weren’t previously available to them. He emphasized the need for workers and elderly to maintain their dignity at every cost, which was so relatable. Additionally, he discussed the difficulties that governments in North America are currently facing with regard to homelessness, mental health, and addictions. Solutions like the need for compassion and providing safe spaces are achievable and advantageous not only at a large scale, such as for the entirety of British Columbia, but also at a micro-level, such as for an individual’s mental health or for any institution they may be employed by.

Kim Wallace, Contract Chair

The CUPE 2950 Convention was held at the Westin Bayshore from April 24-27.  I attended the convention sessions on April 25-27.  As I am new to the Union in an executive capacity, it was my first ever Convention; I was eager to use it as a learning experience.

From an overall perspective, the Convention provided a forum for CUPE members from all BC Locals to bring forth issues of concern to them and to speak to those issues for the education of all other Member delegates.  Those issues, in the form of a resolution, are then voted on by the convention delegates as a whole.  This decides whether the Union will pursue those particular resolutions.

There were several resolutions that, while not directly pertinent to UBC, could indirectly be of importance down the road.  One such resolution was the full funding of both the 1-K12 education system and of the post-secondary education system.  This could prove impactful for us at UBC should this resolution prove successful in lobbying as it could increase enrolment numbers and thus, Member workloads.

There were several resolutions around climate, health/safety (both physical and mental), disabilities (visible and invisible) that could also benefit UBC membership over the long term.

One topic that came up repeatedly was the need to engage Locals’ membership to become more involved in their local’s mission and goals.  We, at CUPE 2950, need to look into strategies to accomplish this. More engagement means more participation, means more strength and thus, ultimately, more results.

I believe that the Convention delegates from CUPE 2950 should review the resolutions passed at the Convention and select from those the ones most relevant to our local and its membership.  Education strategies should then be developed for the general membership to inform them of what CUPE is doing to advance their workplace and what our local would like to do to further that within UBC.

I am glad that I attended.  I learned a lot – a whole lot.  My head is swirling with ideas.  I would certainly encourage CUPE 2950 members to consider attending at least one convention to really see and learn just what a strong Union is capable of.

Click here to read Kim’s report from Convention