COPE 378’s three sitting Vice Presidents were acclaimed to serve another term on Thursday afternoon.
Bob Derby (Coast Mountain Bus Company) was nominated for his second term as VP of Combined Units, and Gwenne Farrell (BC Hydro) and David Black (ICBC) were also acclaimed to a second term after accepting nominations from delegates.
Vice Presidents are elected every three years from at the convention following the Union’s elections.
“We have had a productive and engaged team for the last few years, and I am pleased to have the opportunity to continue to work with Gwenne, Bob, and David,” said President Andy Ross following the elections.

As the first speaker at this year's COPE 378 Convention, BC Federation of Labour President Jim Sinclair rallied delegates with a  rousing speech, reminding them that next May we really do have the opportunity to Take Back the Power.

"Your Take Back the Power campaign really is something phenomenal," Sinclair told delegates. "When we get to next May, we need you to help make sure British Columbians do Take Back the Power... and make sure we take back the province while we're at it."

This year's COPE 378 Convention i set to commence at the Metrotown Hilton Hotel and Convention Centre.

The theme of this year's convention is Your Comunities, Your Choices, Your Union, and will be focussing on community engagement and building progressive, inclusive communities.

Highlights of the day include:

• Jim Sinclair, President, BC Federation of Labour

10:00 AM

• Carole James, Leader, BC NDP

1:45 PM

• Michael McKnight, CEO, United Way of the Lower Mainland

3:15 PM

In addition, delegates will elect the Union's Vice Presidents from among those who were elected to the Executive Board at the beginning of the month.

The results of the run-off election for the final Executive Board seat in Combined Units have been counted and certified by the COPE 378 Returning Officer.

Marj Owen, from the BCGEU, received more votes than Karen Fisher, from Terasen Gas, and is therefore elected to the position of Executive Director, Combined Units.

A run-off was announced on May 5 after successive re-counts  resulted in a tie between the two candidates. Members in Combined Units had until noon on May 21 to get thier ballots into the union office. They were counted and certified by Returning Officer Wendy Payne this afternoon.

COPE 378 and Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group reached a tentative collective agreement on Wednesday May 13.

Highlights of the agreement include:

• 5 Year term
• Wage increases of 3% for the first 3 years, 3.75% in the fourth year, and 4% in the fifth year
• Improvements to uniform and footwear allowances
• Improvements to vacation entitlements
• Improvements to sick benefits
• Extended health and dental premiums

Specific details on the tentative agreement are being mailed out to all members, and details on a ratification vote are forthcoming.

COPE 378 represents approximately 63 employees at Dollar Thrifty car rental locations throughout the Lower Mainland.

The newly-elected COPE 378 Executive Board was sworn in this morning at their Inaugural Meeting.

President Andy Ross read the Oath of Office to the Directors who were elected to a three year term last week.

A run-off election is currently underway between two candidates for Executive Director from Combined Units. Karen Fisher (Terasen Gas) and Marj Owen (BCGEU) were tied for the final seat from Combined, and that position will not be sworn in until the results are certified on May 21.

Your new COPE 378 Executive Board

President: Andy Ross

Secretary-Treasurer: Lori Mayhew

The election for the position of Executive Director, Combined Units has resulted in a tie for the last seat. This necessitates a run-off vote between two candidates:

Karen Fisher (Terasen Gas)

Marj Owen (BCGEU)

Ballots for all positions were counted on May 1 with the results certified by the COPE 378 Returning Officer. At the conclusion of that count, one vote separated the two candidates

A recount was requested and the Returning Officer conducted the recount of Combined Units ballots on Monday May 5. At the conclusion of this count, the Returning Officer ruled that a run off vote be held between the two candidates.

Andy Ross and Lori Mayhew were both sworn-in to another term as the Union's President and Secretary-Treasurer.

The two officers were sworn in by COPE/SEPB National Secretary-Treasurer Gwenne Farrell, who is also a COPE 378 Vice-President.

Ross was acclaimed for his second term as President at the close of nominations in March. Mayhew was declared the winner following the ballot count on May 1.

The winning candidates for the COPE 378 Executive Board will be sworn in by the President at their inaugural Board meeting on May 8.

A recount has been requested for the positions of Executive Director for Combined Units.

The results were very close at the close of counting on May 1, and as such a recount request has been filed.

The recount will commence early next week, and candidates and members will be notified of the results as soon as they are verified by the Returning Officer.

The following are the successful candidates for contested positions for the Executive Board and Secretary-Treasurer.

Secretary Treasurer:

Lori Mayhew

Executive Directors - ICBC:

David Black

Karin Cirez

Mike Ferguson

Elaine Fraser

Jeff Gilles

Steve Toomey

Executive Directors - Combined Units:

Karen Fisher

Rob Maschek

Nathan Vick

Please click here for the full listing of contested results, including Executive Councillor positions.