Friends and comrades
In this week’s Dispatch, we are covering contract vote updates, the March GMM, International Women’s Day, education opportunities, and upcoming committee meetings.
Before getting to that, the Social Committee has put together a survey in order to gauge interest in participating in a slo-pitch league or tournaments in the coming, warmer seasons. If you’re interested, you can fill out the survey HERE.
Solidarity,
Kyle Turner, Communications Officer
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Contract Vote Updates
The most recent bulletin from our National office covers proposed changes to the Extended Health Care Plan (EHCP).
- Coverage for psychologists, social workers, and additionally psychotherapists for up to $3,000 (currently $2,000) per calendar year, reimbursed at 80%
- Massage therapy covered to a maximum of $500 (currently $400) per year, reimbursed at 80%
- Gender affirmation care covered up to $15,000 lifetime, reimbursed at 80% (currently no coverage exists)
- Shingles (Shingrix) and flu vaccines added, $1,000 annual maximum (currently no coverage of Shingrix and flu vaccines)
To read the full bulletin, click HERE. To read the draft of the Urban agreement, click HERE. For the draft of the RSMC agreement, click HERE.
Our Local contract/strike vote schedule is quickly coming together. Once all of the locations are finalized, we will post that information and share it through all modes of communication we have, including the workplace bulletin boards and the texting service.
March GMM
The next general membership meeting is scheduled for Saturday, March 7th at 10 am. This is a hybrid meeting, so you can attend in person (18121 107 Ave NW) or online via Zoom. If you want to attend online, you must register by March 6th at noon. For more information and to register to attend online, click HERE.
International Women’s Day
Women for Rights and Empowerment (W4RE) is hosting a dinner and discussion for this year’s International Women’s Day on Sunday, March 8th at Alberta Avenue Hall (9210 118 Ave NW). Doors open at 5 pm and dinner is at 6:30 pm. For more information, click HERE.
The Edmonton Local’s Women’s Committee has purchased a table, but seating is limited. If you are interested in attending, you can contact the Women’s Committee at Womenof730@gmail.com. The deadline is Friday, March 6th at 3 pm.
Education Opportunities
- Local
- Pension Seminar: An additional Pension Seminar date has been added for April 18th. Deadline to apply is April 8th. For more information, click HERE.
- National
- Union Education Program: CUPW’s flagship education initiative is accepting applications. Deadline to apply is April 1st. For more information, click HERE.
Committee Meetings
- Organizing Committee: The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 5th at 7 pm via Zoom. For more information, click HERE.
- Temporary Workers’ Rights Committee: Next meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 23rd at 7:30 pm via Zoom. For more information, click HERE.
Community Announcements
- Memorial for Lawrence “Larry” Jones: A memorial service for former postal worker Larry Jones is being held at Evergreen Funeral Home (16204 Fort Road) at 2 pm on Saturday, March 7th. For more information, click HERE.
Reminders
- Social Committee Survey: Help the Social Committee decide what to do in the coming year. Complete the survey HERE.
- Staying Connected: Sign up for the text service or email list HERE.
- Special Assessment: The Local’s Special Assessment is suspended for the fiscal year (July 2025-June 2026), but will return in July 2026. So you should see a decrease in dues payments by slightly less than $15/month.
- Disability Supports: To access the Disability Supports portal, which provides a list of programs and services in your community, click HERE.
- Union Savings: To take part in these savings, you can register at unionsavings.ca/.
- Buy Union: Looking for a list of union-made goods and services? Click HERE.