Notice: 2014 Dues Amendment for Camp Workers’ Dues

As per Article XII, of the UNITE HERE Local 40 Bylaws, this is a first reading, at the June 30, 2014 General Membership Meeting, of a proposed amendment to the Local’s Bylaws to increase dues rate and initiation fee for BC Camp Workers.

The following amendment is to update the Local’s dues & initiation fee structure to be similar to the dues & initiation fee structure currently used by UNITE HERE! in camps in Alberta.

Camp Workers currently employed will continue to pay the existing dues rates while working on their existing jobs; if and when they move to a new job site, after November 1, 2014, they would pay the new Camp Workers dues rate in new Section 2. Existing Camp Workers, hired prior to November 1, 2014, will be exempt from paying the new initiation fee in new Section 1.

The UNITE HERE! Local 40 Executive Board proposes the following By-law amendment:

Effective November 1, 2014 modify UNITE HERE Local 40 By-Laws, Article XI – Finances;

a) Section 1 – Initiation Fees to Camp Workers to $350.00 initiation

b) Section 2 – Monthly Dues, create a new subsection 2(b) – Camp Workers’ Dues Rate:

“All new Camp Employees hired on or after November 1, 2014, or for existing Camp Workers hired onto a new job site, shall pay monthly dues based on two (2%) percent of their monthly gross earnings plus the cost of current per capita.

For an unemployed Camp Worker, that wants to remain on the dispatch list, their monthly dues shall be equal to the minimum dues rate (for a Local 40 member working less than eighty (80) hours a month in subsection 2(a) )”.

ARTICLE XII

AMENDMENTS

Section 1. All proposed amendments to these bylaws must be in writing, proposed by the Executive Board or signed by 200 members in good standing with the Local and read at two consecutive meetings and voted upon at the second meeting. After the first reading, the proposed amendment must be posted on the bulletin board until final action. A two-thirds majority vote of members present at the second meeting shall be required to adopt an amendment. No amendment shall become effective until approved by the General President.

Section 2. The procedure outlined in Section 1 above shall be fully applicable to amendments providing for an increase in dues or initiation fees, except it shall require a majority vote by secret ballot on such second meeting day after reasonable written notice of intent to vote on the increase is given to the membership. The amendment, as set forth in the notice, is not subject to change after the notice is sent.

Section 3. Rules of order or order of business may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the membership present.

ARTICLE XI

FINANCES

Section 1. Initiation Fees. The initiation fee of the Local Union shall be in accordance with the following schedule:

Effective

January 1, 2002

Licensed Premises

Employees $68.00

Camp Workers $350.00

All Others $33.00

Section 2. Monthly dues. The monthly dues of this Local Union shall be in accordance with the following schedule, subject to the provisions of Article 17, Section 1 of the International Constitution.

Effective July 1, 2009

All Employees Employed 80 or more hours per month – 2 x hourly rate plus $16.00

Effective July 1, 2009

All Employees Employed less than 80 hours per month $31.40

(b) Camp Workers – Effective November 1, 2014

All new Camp Employees hired on or after November 1, 2014, or for existing Camp Workers hired onto a new job site, shall pay monthly dues based on two (2%) percent of their monthly gross earnings plus the cost of current per capita.

For an unemployed Camp Worker, that wants to remain on the dispatch list, their monthly dues shall be equal to the minimum dues rate (for a Local 40 member working less than eighty (80) hours a month in subsection 2(a) )”.

Dues are payable on the first day of each month.

Section 3. Members in good standing, unable to work because of illness, shall receive a dues stamp each month cancelled “sick” as a loan from the Local Union. Such loan shall be repaid at the rate of one sick stamp per month when the member returns to employment. Members requesting a sick stamp loan from the Local Union shall submit a doctor’s certificate, certifying that the member is sick and cannot work. The limit that sick stamps will be issued in any one calendar year is six months. The time limit in cases of emergency may be extended upon recommendation of the Executive Board and approval of the membership but in no event will the time limit be extended to a period beyond 12 months.

Section 4. Any member being two calendar months in arrears for the payment of any dues, assessments or fines shall be considered automatically suspended. The provisions of Article X of these bylaws shall not apply to such suspension.

Section 5. Reinstatement to membership in this Local Union shall be made in accordance with the procedures set forth in Article XIV, Sections 4 and 5, Article XVIII, Sections 6 and 7, and Article XXIV, Section 10 of the International Constitution.

Section 6. It shall be mandatory on members of this Local to deposit their travelling card with the Local Union having jurisdiction before accepting employment. Any member violating the foregoing provision is subject to the provisions of Article 14 of the International Constitution.

(For a PDF version, go to: 2014_Dues_Amendment_for_Camp_Workers_Dues.)

HMS Host Workers at YVR Raise Standards in New Contract

Over 500 HMS Host workers won a major victory when they ratified a new 3 1/2 year agreement on May 9. The new agreement provides workers with significant wage increases of up to $2.00/hour, expands eligibility for medical benefits, and lowers the cost of medical coverage for workers and their families. This agreement will establish a first-time pension benefit for over 400 workers and improve pension contributions for the others.

Workers also secured additional rights that will improve scheduling, maximize hours, and provide greater job security.

The agreement follows a recent worker march through Vancouver Airport to demand a fair contract.

In 2010, during the last negotiations at YVR, Host workers launched a strike and then faced a 5-day lockout. Coming out of that fight, Local 40 successfully organized more than 300 new members at Starbucks, Burger King, Jamba Juice and other YVR locations.

With the leadership of the Union committee, Host members and Local 40 won a great contract that raises standards for hundreds of families in Vancouver!

 

Local 40 Reaches Settlement with The Railway Club

Unite Here Local 40 is pleased to report that following three days of mediation at the British Columbia Labour Relations Board, and with the assistance of neutral Labour Board Mediator Trevor Sones, The Railway Club and the Union have resolved all issues.  Long term employees have been compensated, with some moving on to other opportunities, but everyone wishing The Railway Club a successful future.  The Union encourages customers to return to patronizing and enjoying The Railway Club.

Local 40 Members Ratify New Contract at 47 Hotels, Pubs & Liquor Stores

On December 12, 2013, UNITE HERE Local 40 members who work in 47 hotels, pubs and liquor stores across BC ratified their new collective agreement with 93% voting in favour. 

The new contract addresses major concerns raised by workers and sets new standards for hospitality workers throughout the province.   The new agreement lowers hours of eligibility to 20 hours/week which makes it easier for workers to maintain medical benefits through the slower, winter months.   The contract also provides for a prescription drug card and expands benefits for tourism workers and their families.  Workers will also receive good wage increases and improvements in their pensions.

Workers from Vancouver, Richmond, Harrison Hot Springs, New Westminster, Abbotsford, Kamloops, Nanaimo, Victoria, Prince Rupert, and other communities, led the fight for nearly 18 months to reach a new contract with their employers.   The gains in this contract were achieved as a result of the hard work led by the Union Bargaining Committee and through a variety of public actions at places like the Holiday Inn Downtown Vancouver, Blue Horizon, Sheraton Vancouver Airport, Wedgwood Hotel, Empire Landmark, and Howard Johnson Nanaimo. 

As part of this contract fight, Sheraton Vancouver Airport workers held a 1-day strike.  This was the first hotel strike in Metro Vancouver in a dozen years.   Workers led other coordinated actions in their workplaces throughout BC.  Together, they have raised standards for tourism workers in BC.

Hospitality workers received key support from their customers, labour unions, elected officials, and community members during this contract campaign.   

Local 40 reached a settlement with Hospitality Industrial Relations, who represent the 47 employers, in late November. 

Local 40 Reaches Tentative Settlement with 47 Hotels, Pubs & Liquor Stores

Union Bargaining Committee at HIR Negotiations, November 20, 2013

UNITE HERE Local 40 has reached a tentative settlement with 47 hotels, pubs and liquor stores across BC.  The employers are represented by Hospitality Industrial Relations.  The tentative deal includes substantial improvements in medical coverage, providing some of the best medical benefits for Local 40 members, and a good wage and pension package. 

The Union Bargaining Committee is recommending a “Yes” vote to accept this contract offer.

The ratification process will be completed on December 12, 2013.  More details will be provided after that date.