2024-03-28
This is a notice for a CUPE 104 Special Membership Meeting.
There are only two agenda items (see below). We hope that you can attend as we need to have quorum to proceed with the meeting.
Date: April 2, 2024
Time: 1900 Eastern Time
Location: Virtual via Zoom
Registration link: Link sent by e-mail
IMPORTANT: You must pre-register and use your full first and last name when registering and logging into the meeting to be admitted.
PLEASE REGISTER EARLY! We manually approve the registrations in advance so it may take some time to receive your personal link to the meeting after you register. Members who try to register on the day of the meeting may not get their link in time.
If you are unable to attend, we recommend that you ask another member to fill you in after the meeting.
In Solidarity,
Your CUPE Local 104 Executive
2024-03-20
The RCMP blindsided us and sent out a message to you and your managers this week stating that they are proceeding with their invasive medical questionnaire and medical examination, despite our active objections. We found out about this after they sent it out and only after we asked them about it. As far as we knew, the last update they gave us was that it was remaining “paused.”
The RCMP’s message says that they worked with us to clarify their new process, implying that we support it. This is not true. We have not been properly consulted, we are strongly against this new process, and we have an active policy grievance against them. To make matters worse, the RCMP is trying to frame this change as necessary for your health and safety. We are extremely disappointed at this shameful and heavy-handed approach that ignores your wellbeing. We are still actively fighting against this gross and unnecessary invasion of your privacy on all available legal and health and safety fronts. For more information, see our previous update.
We have been trying to work with the RCMP for years on updating the hearing and psychological health assessments and supports for our members. This additional medical testing is not necessary for our roles and is none of the employer’s business. This new “program” also removes and replaces the biennial psychological appointments. The current program is not great, but their new system is not even close to ok.
As we’ve said before, we urge you to respectfully share your opinions and concerns with your managers. They need to be informed of the effects on you so that they can share it up the chain with their senior managers. Your managers have been told that this new program is mandatory, and that they can use discipline to deal with non-compliance.
If you are contacted to participate in this unnecessary and invasive program, and you do not wish to participate, we recommend that you respond to your manager with your questions and concerns, seeking more information and an explanation. You should do this in writing. If you are then informed that you must participate, immediately contact your local Steward or Regional Chairperson for assistance with filing a grievance.
In Solidarity,
Your CUPE Local 104 Executive
2024-03-13
It has come to our attention from our membership that the RCMP is canvassing CUPE 104 members about their willingness to be deployed to Edmonton Police Service to work as scabs during the anticipated strike action being taken by the Civil Service Union 52 (CSU 52). CSU 52 includes Emergency Communications Operators who are responsible for 9-1-1, police call taking, and police dispatching duties.
We stand in solidarity with our Brothers, Sisters, and Friends of CSU 52. We are outraged that the RCMP is considering using our hard-working CUPE 104 members as scabs to undermine CSU’s fight for a fair deal. CUPE 104 is firmly against the use of any CUPE 104 members to do the work of other Unionized workers.
It is our position that CUPE 104 members should NOT volunteer to work as scabs during CSU 52’s strike. Doing so would undermine CSU 52’s strike action and will negatively impact our own position in future rounds of bargaining. A fair deal for CSU 52 helps us get a fair deal in future rounds.
If you are being pressured, forced, or ordered to do the work of another Union, contact your local Steward or Regional Chairperson immediately for guidance.
In Solidarity,
Your CUPE Local 104 Executive
2024-03-01
our Maple virtual healthcare benefit is now available. To create your Maple account, check your email for your unique registration invitation from hello@getmaple.ca. If you run into any issues, you can speak with Maple’s customer support team via the chat window at getmaple.ca/contact-us.
As a reminder, you and your family members can now use Maple’s platform to connect with general practitioners and mental health therapists from your phone, tablet or computer. General practitioner visits are fully covered and available to you on an unlimited basis. Counselling is private pay. You can submit receipts to your benefits plan for reimbursement, if applicable.
For more information, download our CUPE 104 Member Guide.
Don’t miss out – create your Maple account today.
In Solidarity,
Your CUPE Local 104 Executive
2024-02-23
As a member of CUPE 104, effective March 1, 2024, you will have access to Maple – a virtual care benefit to support your health and wellbeing.
The platform will allow you and your family members to:
Learn more in these videos about primary care visits and counselling sessions on Maple (counselling is private pay, you can submit receipts to your benefits plan for reimbursement, if applicable).
In Solidarity,
Your CUPE Local 104 Executive
2024-02-21
This is an update to our previous communication about the Invasive Medical Questionnaire and Medical Examination that was being sent out by the employer to our members as part of their new “health program.”
For the past several months, we have been fighting hard against this unnecessary and gross invasion of our privacy. This invasive procedure is irrelevant to our roles, a blatant violation of our privacy, and it represents an unprecedented level of scrutiny, unmatched anywhere else in Canada for similar jobs.
We have been heavily engaged with both Legal and Health and Safety experts from CUPE National. Recently, our legal team sent the employer a cease-and-desist letter demanding that their health program, involving the invasive medical questionnaire and medical examination, be shut down.
Unfortunately, without any meaningful consultation with us, the RCMP’s Acting Chief Human Resource Office has responded indicating that they are moving ahead with their health program, including the invasive medical questionnaire and medical examination. Currently, the employer’s new invasive health program is directed at Public Service Employees. However, they have stated that their intention is to eventually subject all CUPE 104 members to this testing (TO/TCOs and IM/IMAs). We have already filed a policy grievance with Treasury Board and we are working on additional legal recourse.
The only medical testing requirements for our jobs have always been hearing and psychological testing. We maintain that this is still the case and there is no reason to change these requirements. Additional medical testing is not necessary for our roles and is, quite frankly, none of the employer’s business. Your personal health information should remain protected and confidential between you and your health care practitioners.
The employer should be focused on recruitment, retention, mental health, and morale. Instead, they are trying to divide us, invade our privacy, cause additional and unnecessary stress, and disregard our rights to private personal medical information.
We urge you to respectfully share your opinions with your managers. They need to be informed of the effects on you so that they can share it up the chain with their senior managers. Even in the face of this blatant disregard for our rights and privacy, it is important that we all maintain a safe and respectful working environment for ourselves and each other.
If you are contacted to participate in this unnecessary and invasive program, and you do not wish to participate, we recommend that you respond with your questions and concerns, seeking more information and an explanation. You should do this in writing, including your supervisor, and respectfully outline your concerns with the program. If you are then informed that you must participate, immediately contact your local Steward or Regional Chairperson for assistance with filing a grievance.
Make no mistake, this is a blatant attack on your privacy, rights, dignity, and well-being. We stand united in our resolve to oppose this unjust decision and will keep you informed of any developments and the actions we are taking.
In Solidarity,
Your CUPE Local 104 Executive
2024-02-16
We value your health and well-being, which is why we’re always looking for ways to further support our members. As part of your Union Membership, we’re excited to announce the launch of virtual healthcare, which will be available as of March 1, 2024. Say goodbye to long lines at the walk-in clinic! Through Maple’s platform, you can see a general practitioner when it’s convenient for you.
Through Maple’s fully secure platform, you can chat with a general practitioner via text, phone or video in just a few minutes. During your virtual visit, they’ll be able to diagnose, treat, and prescribe. This new benefit gives you (and your eligible dependents) unlimited access with a general practitioner. Mental health counselling is also available on a private pay basis.
Stay tuned for more details!
To learn more about Maple, watch this video.
In Solidarity,
Your CUPE Local 104 Executive
Kathleen, Myles, Robb, Robbin, Alex, Cyrus, Randy, Marc-Étienne, and Brandon
Main page: https://104.cupe.ca/
Executive e-mail addresses: https://104.cupe.ca/contacts/
Membership Form: https://104.cupe.ca/membership/
2024-02-10
The following positions have been acclaimed. Congratulations to:
The RECORDING SECRETARY position is vacant.
If you are interested in this position, please contact elections@cupe104.ca
In Solidarity,
CUPE Local 104 Elections Committee
elections@cupe104.ca
CUPE 104 website: https://104.cupe.ca/
Executive e-mail addresses: https://104.cupe.ca/contacts/
Membership Form: https://104.cupe.ca/membership/
2023-12-05
An email invitation has just been sent to active CUPE 104 members for the upcoming General Membership Meeting.
The GMM will be on 2023-12-14 at 19h00 Eastern Time Zone.
Location: Virtual
Check your emails and click on the sign up link.
If you or your colleagues are ACTIVE CUPE 104 members and are not receiving the email, please to go to https://104.cupe.ca/ and fill out the MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION FORM.