Member Focus is an ongoing series helping members learn more about each other across roles and work sites.
Member Sarah Monaghan-Covacic is our Treasurer on the 374 Executive, and a member working at the District of Sooke in Financial Services.
How long were you/have you been a member of CUPE? In what roles?
I have most recently been a member of CUPE Local 374 since February 2020. I had previously been a member of CUPE Local 50 in the mid 90s.
Sarah has been a member of 374 since early 2020, and now serves as Treasurer on our executive.
“Take the opportunity to learn from all the experiences at your disposal. Learn from your co-workers’ experiences, and from other learning opportunities that come your way.”
Tell us about your life outside of work.
I love to travel with my husband and teenage daughter, we enjoy seeking out new adventures both here in Canada and internationally. My happy place is in the kitchen, and I really like canning and making jam.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
My greatest achievement is raising a conscientious, caring, smart teenager who still wants to hang out with me!
What advice do you have for those who are new to the workforce?
Take the opportunity to learn from all the experiences at your disposal. Learn from your co-workers’ experiences, and from other learning opportunities that come your way.
On Friday, November 18th, we finally reached a tentative agreement pending ratifications. As we would like to complete this before end of year, things will roll out quickly. There will be a ratification meeting for each unit. Dates will be provided early this week once locations are confirmed.
There will be an information session on Zoom this Thursday, November 24th at 6pm. Please register in advance by clicking the link below:
To date the bargaining committee has met with the Employers on May 16, 17, 18, and July 6. We have had individual employer bargaining meetings on June 2, 14, 28 and 29 as well as July 7 and 11. Our CUPE National Rep and I have had 2 recent meetings with the Greater Victoria Labour Relations Association (GVLRA) on September 27 and October 12.
We have been able to achieve movement on certain proposals and come to agreements, however we have reached an impasse on wages and term.
At our meeting this past week with the GVLRA, we came prepared to discuss the remaining core outstanding issues – wages and term. We felt confident that with some cooperation we could conclude negotiations with a fair and reasonable agreement. We were surprised by the GVLRA’s unreasonableness in discussions around wages and terms and frustrated by their representative’s decision to end negotiations, declare that an impasse had been reached and suggest the parties file for mediation.
We believe that with additional bargaining dates we could conclude negotiations. We are now waiting for mediation dates from the Labour Relations Board and once we have confirmed dates, we will let members know.
Currently, we are working on planning our next steps. We continue to coordinate with other CUPE Locals in the region, and we are strongly considering taking a strike vote in advance of mediation.
With six separate units in our local, we are required to conduct six separate strike votes. This is logistically complex and will take several weeks. While we are hopeful that we can resolve bargaining without needing to take strike action, we want to be prepared should it become clear at mediation, or before, that the GVLRA is not willing to negotiate a fair and reasonable contract.
We are committed to keeping all members informed of what is happening with bargaining – so please make sure we have your personal email address, so you receive these important updates. Either visit our website www.cupe374.ca and subscribe or speak with your unit VP.
If you have any questions, please contact your Unit VP or call our office at 250 472 0374. Thank you for your support.
The nomination window for our upcoming elections is now closed. The roles of President, Treasurer and Trustee will be acclaimed:
President: Shireen Clark (Colwood, current incumbent)
Treasurer: Sarah Monaghan-Covacic (Sooke, current Recording Secretary)
Trustee: Laurel Houniet (North Saanich)
We will have one election for the position of Recording Secretary at our AGM on October 12. The nominees and their notes to members are below. Members should register to attend our AGM on October 12 at 7pm here in order to vote.
My name is Adam Major. I have been a CUPE member for 10 years. Most recently with CUPE 374 for the last year after coming over from CUPE 2011. I am a father to 2 kids and actively involved in the community coaching Baseball (National little league) and volunteering at JBAA rugby club. As a Shop Steward for CUPE 2011, I grew a passion for Labour movements and Mental health issues. As your representative for Recording Secretary I hope to add these skills to an all ready diverse executive team.
Thank you for your consideration.
Yours in Solidarity,
Adam Major
Oak Bay, Public Works
CUPE 374 Member
Gabrielle Whitters
Hello everyone,
My name is Gabrielle Whitters. I am a trained administrative professional with a background in local government and banking. I’ve been a member of CUPE since 2018 and have been responsible for meeting preparation, follow-up and recording secretary to many Council and Committee meetings since. I assist with records management and writing of policies and bylaws. I also held a temp position in Nanaimo with Human Resources where I assisted with processing and reviewing Worksafe claims.
I am a mother to one beautiful girl, and I enjoy the hiking and mushroom picking in the great outdoors. I am dedicated to learning more about CUPE and offering my established skillset to this position.
Thanks!
In Solidarity,
Gabrielle Whitters
Colwood, Corporate Services
CUPE 374 Member
I wanted to let everyone know the nominees we have received so far for the 2022 Elections as well that I (Shireen Clark) have accepted the nomination and will stand for another term as President, if successful. There are still many outstanding items for the local that need to be complete. Now that we can have in-person training again, we would like to continue with courses for those interested in being involved catered specifically to our local.
Nominations Received as of September 21st:
President: Shireen Clark (Colwood, current incumbent)
Treasurer: Sarah Monaghan-Covacic (Sooke, current Recording Secretary)
Trustee: Laurel Houniet (North Saanich)
Please register here to attend. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email.
How to Nominate:
Email president@cupe374.ca with “AGM Nomination” in the subject line by noon, Friday, October 7th, 2022, and copy the person you are nominating in the email.
Indicate who you are nominating, which employer you work for and which position.
An email will be sent to both the nominator and nominee to confirm the nomination.
If you have any questions, please contact your Unit VP. Thank you.
A reminder that our Annual General Membership meeting is Wednesday, October 12th @ 7pm
via zoom. Our current Treasurer has taken a leave of absence from her job, creating a vacancy
in her term. We have 3 positions up for election. In the event a standing officer is the successful
incumbent to one of the vacancies, an additional election for Recording Secretary will occur.
Descriptions for all positions are posted on our website.
Highlights of Meeting Agenda:
Bylaw Review
Elections
President – 3 Years (2025)
Trustee – 3 Years (2025)
Treasurer – 2 Years (2024)
Recording Secretary – 1 Year (2023)
Please register here to attend. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email.
How to Nominate:
Email president@cupe374.ca with “AGM Nomination” in the subject line by noon, Friday, October 7th, 2022 and copy the person you are nominating in the email.
Indicate who you are nominating, which employer you work for and which position.
An email will be sent to both the nominator and nominee to confirm the nomination.
If you have any questions, please contact your Unit VP. Thank you.
CUPE 374 member Shaun Bradley, who works for the City of Colwood, was recently appointed as a Worker Representative to the board of the BC Municipal Safety Association.
Being at the table as a member of a board of directors—part of a leadership team with the same goals or community vision—is a great way to share our values and principles as union activists. Our experiences as workers, often very different from those of other board members, adds to the variety of opinions and backgrounds that helps promote good governance.
A good example of this can be found on page 4 of CUPEBC’s special members’ edition of Public Employee, where CUPE 374 member Shaun Bradley shares his experience of joining the BC Municipal Safety Association (BCMSA)’s board of directors.
The BCMSA is an independent, non-profit organization committed to improving worker health and safety in all industries throughout the province. Like other boards, the BCMSA’s has a range of responsibilities from financial oversight and managing resources to enhancing the Association’s public image.
“My role on the board is to represent the workers’ voice and help ensure that all health and safety aspects are covered,” writes Bradley. “This is an important role, and I’m honoured to have a voice with an association that cares enough to educate about the issue and improve worker safety across B.C. This position has given me the opportunity to be proactive in areas that include my workplace and other union members.”
CUPEBC has a long history of working with the BC Municipal Safety Association, as witnessed by the countless members who have participated in education, seminars, and conferences. With a CUPE member now on the BCMSA board, Bradley’s experience should inspire others to pursue similar opportunities. His contribution has clearly had an impact.
“On behalf of the BCMSA, I would like to share our utmost gratitude and appreciation for the stewardship and advocacy exemplified by Shaun in his role on the board,” says BCMSA President Rebecca Chow.
“Shaun is a great fit, considering his passion and commitment not only to his colleagues but to all workers in B.C. We are very excited to have Shaun and CUPE continue to support the BCMSA to empower people to create healthier and safer workplaces through the sharing of knowledge and resources.”
The BCMSA and the Public Works Association of BC will hold their fourth annual joint conference and tradeshow in Vancouver on October 4-5, 2022. To learn more about the BCMSA, the event, and Shaun’s role on the board, visit bcmsa.ca.
