Library Offers Five-Year Deal to CUPE Local 391

Posted inSam's Blog

Further to my previous messages, please find below the latest on the current labour dispute from the City of Vancouver.
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The Vancouver Public Library has formally tabled a five-year offer with a 17.5 percent wage increase to CUPE Local 391, which represents library employees.
The Vancouver Public Library offer includes the same term and pay increase accepted by the District of North Vancouver and their workers represented by CUPE Local 389.
“I believe this is a fair offer and hope that our CUPE local will feel the same way,” said Vancouver City Librarian Paul Whitney. “This offer matches the term and wage level of the District of North Vancouver settlement and we hope CUPE Local 391 will see this as forming the basis for reaching a settlement.”

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.

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’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.

Marking the mid-term of our mandate

Posted inSam's Blog

Greetings from City Hall! This week marks the mid-term of our mandate, and I’d like to share with you a progress report. In my State of the City address last January, I outlined a set of Five Goals to guide my government’s service to its citizens.

The Five Goals for a Better Vancouver are:

  • Becoming a world leader in environmental practices & sustainable transportation
  • Developing the strongest local & regional economy in Canada
  • Ensuring civility on our streets & compassionate solutions to challenging social issues
  • Ensuring that Vancouver is the most accessible & inclusive city in Canada
  • Making Vancouver a premiere destination for the celebration of arts, culture & heritage

We are making real progress on the issues residents care about most – including housing, the economy, the environment and celebrating our culture & heritage. We have established a strong foundation for more achievement and success in Vancouver’s future.

Since the State of the City address, there have been many positive developments in support of the Five Goals. These include:

  • Helping to secure one of the largest affordable housing investments in Vancouver history – in partnership with BC Premier Gordon Campbell. Approximately 1300 permanent, transitional and sheltered housing units will be established for vulnerable people suffering from mental illness and addiction;
  • Hiring former BC Attorney General Geoff Plant as the new Civil City Commissioner;
  • Launching the EcoDensity Initiative with our first public consultations on what kind of sustainable city we want to see. EcoDensity demonstrates our willingness to undertake the political challenge of actively supporting and encouraging increased density in Vancouver, while maintaining the liveability our city is known for;
  • Voting to freeze taxes on Vancouver’s small businesses to 2006 rates, and sending a message that Vancouver is a place where small businesses can thrive and succeed;
  • Approving a $60 million upgrade of the city’s civic theatres – including Queen Elizabeth Theatre, and approving bonuses for redevelopment of Vancouver Playhouse production facilities.

Additional announcements regarding the Five Goals are expected in the coming weeks. You can read a summary of achievements related to each of the Five Goals, which are linked below.

I want to thank all City Councillors, staff, and citizens of Vancouver for their hard work and participation in the on-going community dialogue. It is their effort and dedication that helps set the stage for an exciting and successful second half of our term.

Sam Sullivan

Mayor Sam Sullivan

Mayor Proclaims “Vancouver Giants Day”

Posted inIn the News, Sam's Blog

$2.2 million upgrade to Pacific Coliseum & Hastings Park approved: Sullivan

Mayor Sam Sullivan today proclaimed today as “Vancouver Giants Day” in the City of Vancouver. Mayor Sullivan read the official proclamation in the City Council Chambers where Councillors were joined by the Vancouver Giants team with the Memorial Cup.

The Vancouver Giants defeated the Medicine Hat Tigers 3-1 in the Memorial Cup championship game Sunday at the Pacific Coliseum.

Bulletin from Mayor Sullivan

Posted inSam's Blog

I would like to update you with the great news that Vancouver will be benefiting from the Province’s new $80 million investment in supportive housing. The majority of that financial commitment goes towards the purchase of 10 Single-Room Occupancy hotels in our city, and it is the largest single acquisition of this critical housing stock in the history of the province. When you combine announcements made earlier this year, the total number of supportive housing units in Vancouver totals 1,144.

Our partners in senior levels of government recognize that homelessness is a critical issue. Yesterday’s investment will begin to turn the tide on homelessness, and create safe, clean, affordable housing in Vancouver.

Credit must be given to Premier Campbell and his Cabinet for this new funding commitment. I encourage you to take a moment to email Premier Campbell at premier@gov.bc.ca if, like me, you endorse the province’s inititiative and would like them to maintain and grow support for social housing.

Sam Sullivan

Mayor Sam Sullivan