-

Peer Harm Reduction Workers Vote Unanimously to Join CUPE 1004

VANCOUVER, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The representation vote held on March 9, 2020 by “Peer” harm reduction workers employed by the Portland Hotel Society (PHS) was finally counted, and the workers voted unanimously to join CUPE 1004. Peer workers at Insite, Washington Needle Depot, iOAT and overdose prevention sites in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside are instrumental in saving lives in the face of British Columbia’s overdose public health emergency. Peers are employees with lived experience, similar to that of the participants and residents they serve.

“This is about respect and recognition,” said Don Cumberland, who has worked at the Washington Needle Depot on East Hastings for almost 20 years. “I hope this means that the people doing the hard work on the ground saving lives every day will finally get the credit they deserve.”

David Apsey, one of the main leaders of the union drive last March, sadly passed away in April 2020. He leaves a legacy of solidarity and strength for peer support workers. He will be remembered for his efforts to achieve for Peers the same protection as other PHS workers. “This is a long time coming,” Apsey had said in March.

Ballots from the vote were sealed when PHS challenged union certification for peer employees. That process was adjourned because of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the vote now counted, it is expected that the Labour Board will issue the official certification this week.

“Our newest members do crucial life-saving work,” said CUPE 1004 President Andrew Ledger. “The 100% YES vote demonstrates the strong solidarity of these workers. We are proud to welcome them into our union, and we look forward to working to include them in the provincial Community Health Collective Agreement.”

The approximately 35 peer harm reduction workers will become members of CUPE 1004 that has represented employees of PHS since 1989. The local is a multi-sector composite local representing an array of public workers including employees of the City of Vancouver and the Vancouver Park Board.

cope491

Contacts

Andrew Ledger, CUPE 1004 President: 604-418-9550
Janet Szliske, CUPE National Communications Representative: 604-454-7293

Industry:

CUPE

Release Versions
English

Contacts

Andrew Ledger, CUPE 1004 President: 604-418-9550
Janet Szliske, CUPE National Communications Representative: 604-454-7293

More News From CUPE

Town of Grand Falls-Windsor Terminates Local 1349 President for Participating in Elections

Grand Falls-Windsor, NL--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CUPE Newfoundland and Labrador President Sherry Hillier is calling out the town of Grand Falls-Windsor today for terminating a long-standing employee for executing her right as a Canadian taxpayer to participate in local elections. This move follows the local issuing their notice to bargain. “Every citizen of Grand Falls-Windsor has the right to participate in and comment on local elections. Working for the town doesn’t suddenly take away that right,” s...

UCP fails Deborah Onwu, care workers

EDMONTON, AB--(BUSINESS WIRE)--With the fall session of the Alberta Legislature set to end next week, it’s obvious that the United Conservative government will not be bringing in legislation called for in the judicial inquiry into a Calgary care worker’s death. In October 2019, Deborah Onwu, an employee of Woods Homes Society, was stabbed 19 times while working alone with Brandon Newman – then a resident of the society. Newman had complex needs, a history of violence, and assorted cognitive and...

MEDIA ADVISORY: Long Term Care Workers Hold Information Picket in Sydney on Friday

SYDNEY, NS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Long term care workers represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) will hold an information picket outside the Mayflower Mall in Sydney on Friday. They are gathering to raise awareness for bargaining, which aims to bring a nearly two-year expired contract up to date, and ask for support from the members of the public. WHAT: Demonstration and information picket WHEN: December 5, 2025, from 2 PM to 4 PM WHERE: 800 Grand Lake Road, Sydney (map) WHO: Lo...
Back to Newsroom