CUPE Local 15

CUPE Local 15 CUPE Local 15 was organized over 90 years ago and has over 7,500 members working at over 200 different work sites in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. F.D.

Local 15 members work in a diversity of jobs which include clerical, technical, administrative, recreational, educational, cultural, residential , parking enforcement and building service positions. The overall membership is made up of approximately 60% women and one third are part-time workers. The forerunner of CUPE Local 15 - the Vancouver City Hall Employees' Association, was founded in 1918 a

nd affiliated with the Trades and Labour Congress of Canada in the same year. Corrin was the first President. The Association joined with the Policemen's Union, the Vancouver Firefighters, and the Outside Workers to form the Civic Federation. By 1920 the Federation became the major bargaining agent for the municipal workers. By 1927 the Federation had an agreement with the City for its first Pension Plan, later known as the Provincial Superannuation Plan for all provincial government employees in1928. During the Great Depression the Association came to an agreement with the Council that all employees would work every other week, with their wages cut back accordingly, in order to keep the workers off the welfare rolls. Although women had been asked to become members they refused, preferring to form their own Women's Auxiliary. It was not until 1944 when one woman, Minnie Lazarus, talked the women into joining the Association. Sister Lazarus became the only women executive member from that year until her retirement 23 years later. The Association became the Vancouver Municipal and Regional Employees' Union (VMREU) in 1970. The membership was adamant that it wanted to remain independent but agreed the Association must be ready to expand in other areas that needed organizing.

07/03/2026

UPDATE - Nurses Bargaining Association (NBA) Job Action

Dear Vancouver Coastal Health HSPBA and CBA Members:

As of 12:01 p.m. yesterday (July 3, 2026), BC nurses in the Nurses Bargaining Association (NBA) implemented job action in the form of an overtime ban and refusal of all non-nursing duties. The NBA has not announced any picket lines currently, and all CUPE members must report to work as usual. If you encounter a picket line at your worksite, do not cross and contact your union immediately for further guidance and information on essential service levels.

We will keep you updated should there be any new developments.

If you have any questions or need more information, please contact your local directly.

In solidarity,

CUPE Local 15

06/11/2026

Dear City et al (City of Vancouver, Park Board, RayCam, and Britannia) Members:

This email is to provide an update on the ongoing job action by Metro Vancouver workers, represented by the GVRDEU.

The strike is ongoing and to date, pickets and other actions have had little impact on Local 15 members. Some disruption was observed at the Transfer Station, but this has recently been resolved after the City received common site relief for this location from the Labour Board.

Looking forward, and as the strike continues, there is potential for greater disruption at sites shared with GVRDEU members. Accordingly, we are writing to provide updated information and to refresh the direction emailed previously, which can be found below.

We know this is a challenging situation for any affected members, and we encourage folks to reach out with any questions or concerns.

What to do if you encounter a picket line when you come to work
If members attend work at any time and find a picket line in place, do not cross it. Our responsibility as union members is to respect picket lines as a universal principle of solidarity and support.

If members encounter a picket line, please look for a CUPE contact person on the line and check in with them, or call the union office at 604-879-4671 for more information and direction.

What will happen if members don’t cross the picket line
The employer has stated that they will not pay CUPE 15 members who refuse to cross picket lines to report for work, which is why CUPE and CUPE BC provide strike pay in these circumstances. So, if picketing prevents Local 15 members from working, the Local will set up its own solidarity picket line, with members serving shifts as they would if we were on strike ourselves.

Those unable to work due to a picket line at their worksite and who participate in the solidarity picket will qualify for strike pay. More details about the requirement to work a picket shift in order to qualify for strike pay will follow should the need to establish a solidarity picket arise.

What to do if you encounter a picket line while already at work
As with any picket line, it is our responsibility as trade unionists to respect it. If you find that your workplace is behind picket lines after you have reported for work, please immediately call the office at 604-879-4671 for more information and guidance.

In solidarity,

Kevin Rose
Administrator

Dear CUPE Local 15 Members: Prior to entering administration, the Local had been working with other CUPE locals in Vanco...
06/03/2026

Dear CUPE Local 15 Members:

Prior to entering administration, the Local had been working with other CUPE locals in Vancouver on a campaign to draw attention to the negative impacts of the cuts being made by Mayor Ken Sim and his ABC Vancouver Council members. Locals involved include 1004, 391, 5536, 8911, 1936, plus CUPE BC. Administrators have continued this work and provided input as the campaign has developed.

The campaign began with a wide array of online ads using different messages, and engagement with those ads determined which messages worked best. The campaign is now rolling out the bulk of its advertising, which is aimed at raising awareness of the negative effects of the “zero percent increase” budget and the need to invest in City services. The ads ask supporters to sign a petition calling on the City to stop cuts, protect jobs, and create a stable revenue plan.

You can find the landing page for the campaign https://bettervancouver.cupe.ca, and members are encouraged to participate and share.

We will provide updates to members as the campaign evolves, and welcome feedback.

In solidarity,

Kevin Rose
Administrator

Mayor Ken Sim promised affordability, but he’s delivered service cuts and job losses.

Dear Vancouver School Board Members: Please find an update regarding provincial bargaining in the attached bulletin from...
03/30/2026

Dear Vancouver School Board Members:

Please find an update regarding provincial bargaining in the attached bulletin from the K-12 Provincial Bargaining Committee.

In solidarity,

CUPE Local 15

Dear Members: We would like to advise you that communications from CUPE Local 15 primarily occur through our official we...
03/16/2026

Dear Members:

We would like to advise you that communications from CUPE Local 15 primarily occur through our official website: https://cupe15.org/, email: [email protected], or occasionally through our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/cupe15/. There is no publicly listed WhatsApp, Instagram, or other official social media channel used for general communication. This approach is common for maintaining secure official communication from CUPE Local 15.

Please note:
Official Communication: For updates, bargaining news, and contact information, members should use the official CUPE 15 website.
Direct contact is typically through phone at 604-879-4671 or by email to ensure privacy and record keeping.

If you or a fellow member are seeking local union information, it is strongly recommended to stick with these official means of communication.

In solidarity,

CUPE Local 15

CUPE Local 15 was organized over 90 years ago and has over 7,500 members working at over 200 different work sites in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Dear Vancouver School Board (VSB) Members: Please find an update about provincial bargaining in the attached bulletin fr...
03/06/2026

Dear Vancouver School Board (VSB) Members:

Please find an update about provincial bargaining in the attached bulletin from the K-12 Provincial Bargaining Committee.

In solidarity,

CUPE Local 15

02/23/2026

Greetings Vancouver School Board (VSB) Members:

We wish to update you on the current status of your 2026 round of bargaining. On the request of the Provincial Committee, local tables such as yours, were requested to put a hold on bargaining while determinations were being made on how the provincial table wanted to proceed.

As a refresher, your wages are only negotiated at the provincial table. Your local VSB committee negotiates your benefits and working conditions.

As some of you may or may not be aware, the provincial table met on February 17, 2026. The employer provided the union with another wage offer, which the committee is working through currently. In addition, the provincial table is exploring future bargaining dates, and will update us when confirmed.

Your local VSB bargaining committee is also exploring future bargaining dates, which are currently being contemplated for early April. The union has advised the employer that we are prepared to meet should any earlier dates become available. Once dates are set, we will be sure to let you know. In the meantime, your local bargaining committee is working hard in preparation for those meetings.

Please be aware, we are monitoring and in communication with the BCTF on the status of their bargaining and what impacts, if any, it could have on our members.

Once again, thank you for your ongoing support.

In solidarity,

Santino Scardillo, Acting President
Kathie Currie, Staff Representative
Vanessa Mani, Chair
Valerie Coombes
Suzette Magri
Sheri Nielsen

Address

545 West 10th Avenue
Vancouver, BC
V5Z 1K9

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