COPE 378 members who work for Accenture - the privatized arm of BC Hydro - came together at the Union offices for a day-long strategy and planning session today.

The members, who work in a number of different departments from across the region, all shared their thoughts and strategies for dealing with the ever-growing list of challenges surrounding Accenture as Employer, and the difficulties, disrespect, and challenges that they have engendered in the workplace.

COPE 378 News Release

Calgary's Utility Company Cancels Accenture Contract Similar to BC Hydro's

July 24, 2008

Burnaby, BC - Accenture, the transnational outsourcing firm holding a 10-year contract with BC Hydro has had its contract with Calgary's city-owned utility cancelled at the mid-way point. The parallels between this situation and that faced by BC Hydro have sparked renewed calls for the provincial government to facilitate a full public review of the secret contract with BC Hydro.

COPE 378 often regularly formal submissions to public bodies in response to key public policy issues as well as policy issues that are of concern to other affiliates and allies.

In response to requests from the Canadian Union of Postal Workers and the BC Teachers Federation, respectively, COPE 378 has prepared responses to the two public submissions below.

Canada Post Corporation Strategic Review (July 2008)

Early Childhood Learning Agency (July 2008)

These submissions can be viewed and/or downloaded at cope378.ca/stewards-councilors.

RE: Plutonic CEO takes a run at opponents

Campbell River Mirror

July 16, 2008

To the Editor

Plutonic Power's Donald MacInnes seems to tend to tack towards hyperbole these days. But then, when you're engaged in building hydroelectric projects as large and extensive as Plutonic Power is, I suppose one would tend to think - and talk - big.

The problem with doing this, though, is that some of the realities and consequences of Plutonic's dam-building extravaganza get blurred in the big-talking language.

First off, Mr. MacInnes glosses over the fact that BC doesn't even really need all this new supply of intermittent generation; he claims that BC will "have to double our energy needs" by 2025.

Union Representing Workers Supports Efforts; Members Not Involved in Scandal

July 17, 2008 

Burnaby, BC - The union representing workers at ICBC is welcoming the report and recommendations of the investigation conducted by the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) and PriceWaterhouse Coopers into the Material Damage, Research and Training Facility. 

Secret Deal with Accenture Costing BC Too Much, Damaging Services

 July 14, 2008

 Burnaby, BC - The union representing workers at BC Hydro and throughout the BC energy sector is calling on the provincial government to facilitate a public review of BC Hydro's secret outsourcing contract with Accenture Business Services for Utilities(ABSU). This call is coming amid continuing rumors of out-of-control costs and declining levels of service.

COPE 378 Members at Berlitz English Language Schools ratified a new Collective Agreement on Friday June 27.

The COPE 378 Bargaining COmmittee had been engaged in lengthy negotiations and is pleased to have found a resolution. The Bargaining Committee thanks all members for taking the time to vote.

COPE 378 members joined with IBEW members and BC Hydro and Accenture employees from across BC at the annual BC Hydro Safety Rodeo in Surrey this weekend.

Over 3,000 Hydro employees and their families were registered to attend the event where employee teams take part in various competitions and exercises relating to BC Hydro's operations.

COPE 378 sponsored the First Aid competition on Saturday and also sponsored the welcome reception on Friday night.

A significant majority of COPE 378 members oppose the provincial government's new tax, according to membership polling conducted by COPE 378.

Fully 46.8% of members "Strongly Oppose" the tax.

The gas tax, which is due to come into effect on July 1, will apply to all carbon sources in the province and force consumers to cover the costs, despite the fact that BC's big polluters and emiters of carbon are not paying their share.

The tax is meeting strong resistance across British Columbia, where citizens want to see real climate change solutions that attack the real polluters. With regards to COPE 378 members, only 28.9% support the tax, with only 10% indicating strong support.

June 17 2008 marks the 50th anniversary of the collapse of the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge, which collapsed during construction in 1958.

Eighteen workers were killed when several spans of the bridge collapse. Dozens more fell the full height of the bridge and plunged into the water of Burrard Inlet.

Twenty-seven workers in total lost their lives building the bridge.

Originally names the Second Narrows Bridge, the span was re-named in 1994 in memory of those who were killed during the bridge's construction.