Our Story

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Who We Are

Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 1004 is a multi-sector composite union local. The local comprises of over 3000 members. It holds collective agreements for employees working for:

How We Got Here

CUPE 1004 was established in 1966 . It had several predecessor bodies. The Vancouver Civic Employees’ Union Trades Labour Congress Local 28 (Outside Workers), which originated when the outside workers, organized ca . 1910, joined the Trades Labour Congress in 1917 . Local 28 was suspended by the Trades Labour Congress in 1951 . Later that year, the British Columbia Labour Relations Board certified the Vancouver Civic Employees’ Union – Outside Workers . The Vancouver Civic Employees’ Union – Outside Workers represented not only municipal outside workers but also employees of the Pacific National Exhibition Board and the Vancouver Parks Board . There were several largely unsuccessful attempts to raid the Outside Workers by the Trades Labour Congress, which tried to establish rival unions:

  • Local 407 in 1951
  • Local 487 in 1952 to 1953
  • Local 692, the International Association of Machinists in 1951 applied unsuccessfully to the Labour Relations Board to represent machinists and related tradesmen among Vancouver Civic Employees.

In 1964 the Outside Workers organized the Municipal Employees’ Co-ordinating Conference (M.E.C.C.), an affiliation with other Vancouver area unions:

  • Vancouver City Hall Employees’ Association, Local 15 (Inside Workers)
  • Greater Vancouver Water District, Sewerage and Drainage Employees’ Union
  • West Vancouver Municipal Employees’ Association, Local 395, and
  • University of British Columbia Employees ‘ Union, Local 116.

In 1966, the Outside Workers joined the Canadian Union of Public Employees, becoming Local 1004 .

1-100-years

 

CUPE: Driving Change Through the Decades

 2003 to 2012

A decade marked by economic inequality and attacks on our rights finds us stronger than ever: celebrating our 50th year, and taking on our biggest challenges yet.

1993 to 2002

As conservative forces dig in, two things become clear: we have a long battle ahead and CUPE is more than equal to the challenge.

1983 to 1992

A strong and united CUPE confronts a right-wing assault on working people and the public sector.

1973 to 1982

In a decade of social upheaval, CUPE becomes a powerful voice of fairness for public employees, and for Canadians everywhere. Check out this informative video:

1963 to 1972

Two national public-sector unions join as one and the Canadian labour movement is transformed.

 

CUPE: History of Action

CUPE BC put together an informative animated short that highlights successes from the labour movement and the driving force that CUPE is. Fun fact: CUPE 1004 members from the PHS worked on this film!