CUPE breaks off talks with the City of Vancouver

Posted inSam's Blog

I would like to update you on the status of labour negotiations between the City of Vancouver and its three CUPE locals. I know I speak for many of you in expressing my disappointment that CUPE decided to break off negotiations late yesterday.
According to our negotiating team, CUPE 15, CUPE 1004 and CUPE 391 were all offered a five year deal with pay increases of 16.5% over that period. The offer is within 1% of the District of North Vancouver’s settlement, to balance CUPE’s demand for increased benefits – and further to the 30% wage and benefit increase requested by CUPE last month.
CUPE ignored all wage and term offers by Vancouver negotiators during bargaining. Their negotiators have not moved on items such as costly benefit demands and language restricting the City’s ability to provide services to Vancouver residents.

Mayor Welcomes Provincial Government’s Progress on Riverview

Posted inIn the News

Mayor Sam Sullivan today welcomed reports that the British Columbia government is planning a “massive” development of the current Riverview facility to create more social, market and assisted housing in the Lower Mainland. Earlier this year, Mayor Sullivan said he wanted the provincial government to reconsider the downsizing of the Riverview facility.
“Premier Campbell and Minister Rich Coleman deserve a lot of credit for the work they are doing to establish more social and supportive housing in Vancouver and across the province,” said Mayor Sullivan. “The announcement today about the province’s plan to develop the Riverview site is a very positive step to help address many of the social challenges we face throughout Metro Vancouver.”

City and CUPE 15 return to bargaining table

Posted inSam's Blog

The City of Vancouver and CUPE Local 15 are to return to the bargaining table immediately
Following preliminary discussions yesterday, and a meeting of the Regional Labour Relations Bureau this afternoon, the City of Vancouver and CUPE Local 15, representing Vancouver inside workers have agreed to return to the bargaining table in an effort to resolve the current civic workers strike.
“CUPE 15 and the City have mutually agreed to hold face to face meetings in an effort to end the strike,” said City spokesman Jerry Dobrovolny. “The meetings will be held beginning tomorrow morning at an undisclosed location and the parties have agreed to a media blackout with regard to the bargaining process, and the issues on the table.”

Mayor Sullivan Asks City Manager to Initiate Urgent Action to Help Protect Vancouver Port & Marine Environment

Posted inIn the News

Mayor Sam Sullivan has asked the Vancouver City Manager to take urgent action to help protect the Vancouver Port, Stanley Park and the marine environment following today’s oil spill near Port Moody.
“I have asked the City Manager to coordinate our response with federal, provincial and other municipal authorities on an urgent basis,” said Mayor Sullivan. “If required, the City of Vancouver is prepared to activate our emergency plans to protect the environment.”

Mayor & Councillors to Support Little Mountain Housing Policy

Posted inIn the News

Public consultation process must include input from local residents: Sullivan
Mayor Sam Sullivan today confirmed that he will support a Little Mountain Housing Policy being proposed for Thursday’s City Council meeting. Mayor Sullivan met with Little Mountain residents last night to discuss the plan.
“The Little Mountain housing policy will help achieve the five goals I have established for my government,” said Mayor Sullivan. “In addition to representing an opportunity to create a high quality, higher density and socially inclusive community, this plan will generate funds that can be used to develop social and supportive housing in Vancouver and around the region.”

Mayor’s Communiqué: City contingency plans

Posted inSam's Blog

As you are likely aware, our employees voted down the City’s “final offer” which included a 10% pay increase and no reduction in benefits or job security.

Of the City’s 3500 inside workers, 48% either voted against the strike or didn’t vote at all. Only 52% of our total workforce took the time to vote for a strike. It is very significant how low the turnout was considering how important an issue this was to the union leadership.

Given that limited job action has commenced, I want to advise you that I have instructed our City Manager to begin with the implementation of our contingency plan.

The contingency plan will ensure that as many essential municipal services continue operating during labour action.

Mayor’s Communiqué: Update on final offer vote

Posted inSam's Blog

As many of you have heard in the media, the City and its unions have been in the process of negotiating a new collective agreement.

Over the last several weeks, I have been holding daily briefings with our senior staff on the labour situation and will continue to monitor the situation closely. As you know, it is not in anyone’s best interest to have a strike and our negotiating team is doing everything possible to avoid a labour disruption.

Mayor Supports Consultation Process & Planning Toward Millennium Line Completion

Posted inIn the News

Broadway West review supports EcoDensity principles: Sullivan

Mayor Sam Sullivan today announced his support for a $1 million TransLink led study and public consultation process to explore options toward completion of the Millennium Line. The Broadway West Millennium Line study will play a key role in helping to promote the City of Vancouver’s EcoDensity initiative.

“Making Vancouver a world leader in environmental stewardship is one of the five goals I have established for my government,” said Mayor Sullivan. “The Millennium Line completion is the City of Vancouver’s number one transit infrastructure priority. I look forward to working with TransLink in the coming months and listening to local businesses and residents.”