EITI Transition Update

Members will recall our meeting with the Employer and Sister Michelle Laurie at IBEW, confirming the pending closure of the facility given the decision by BC Hydro to bring training in-house.

During that meeting, several issues were raised including the possibility of employment for COPE Local 378 members with BC Hydro. Last week Sister Laurie reported to us that while there was no guarantee, BCH would be willing to receive and review resumes of members interested in employment with them. Sister Gwenne Farrell is the COPE Vice-President responsible for BC Hydro and she has had similar discussions with their Human Resources. Unfortunately, given further Hydro lay-offs pending, the possibility of being taken into Hydro continues to be somewhat remote.

Acting on your behalf, we have requested official notification of closure with a view to negotiating a closure agreement which will address the concerns you identified when we last met. Brother Brian Nelson, Arbitration Representative and your Union Representative, will be working closely with your unit Steward, Sister Colleen Morlan, to accomplish this. A unit meeting will be held in the very near future.

Most immediately, please confirm if you are interested in seeking an employment opportunity with BCH and/or if you would like to register for Dispatch which would give you access to opportunities within the trade union sector. When confirming your intentions, please forward an up-to-date resume. Should you require assistance with resume preparation, Sister Morlan and I will be able to assist you with that.

BCH has appointed a Transition Officer that we will be in contact with should you wish to explore the possibility of employment and I assure you that all information forwarded to us at COPE 378 will be held in confidence.

Throughout the coming months, we will keep you as fully informed as possible in all aspects of the pending closure. We will be working with you to achieve the best possible outcome and to assist in helping you secure employment under a COPE Local 378 Collective Agreement.

If you need to speak with me at any time, please contact me at the Union office 604-299-0378 or on my cell 604-764-1364.

In unity,

Heather Anne Lee
VP Combined Units

Brian Nelson
Arbitration Representative