CUPE Local 4700 Grand Erie Public Health – Bargaining Committee
Nominations for the GEPH Bargaining Committee have now closed, and we have received more nominations than the six available positions. As a result, an election will be held to determine who will represent GEPH members at the bargaining table.
The Bargaining Committee will play an important role in negotiating our first collective agreement as Grand Erie Public Health. Committee members will work alongside the CUPE Local 4700 President, our CUPE National Representative, and a CUPE National lawyer to develop proposals, participate in negotiations, and represent the interests of our membership.
Who Is Running?
The following members have accepted nominations for the Bargaining Committee:
- Abigail Davis
- Bob Przednowek
- Cynthia McDougall
- Jennifer Dahl
- Jessica Kowalik
- Matthew Harrington
- Nicole Wear
- Paola Cappella
Getting to Know the Candidates
Candidates have been invited to submit a short statement introducing themselves, explaining why they are running, and describing what they would bring to the committee.
All candidate statements will be distributed to GEPH members on October 19 and posted on 4700.cupe.ca. Candidates may also speak directly with members during the campaign period.
Election Schedule
- October 15–21: Campaign period
- October 19: Candidate statements distributed to members
- October 22: Voting information and instructions distributed
- October 26 at 9:00 a.m.: Online voting opens
- October 27 at 9:00 a.m.: Online voting closes — please confirm the closing time
Thank you to everyone who put their name forward to serve on the Bargaining Committee. We encourage all GEPH members to learn about the candidates and participate in the upcoming election.
In Solidarity,
CUPE Local 4700
Become a member in good standing
To fully participate in the union, you must be a member in good standing. Being a member in good standing gives you a say in how your union is run. Only members in good standing can attend and vote at union meetings, run for elected union positions, vote in union elections or serve as delegates to union events.
Here’s what you have to do to become a member in good standing:
- Complete and sign an application for membership form. Note: you can now sign the application for membership form electronically using Adobe Acrobat Reader.
- Submit the completed application to the recording secretary at ✉️ CUPE.4700@outlook.com
CUPE Current Campaigns
Parliamentary Procedure
Parliamentary procedure is a list of rules used to help run meetings democratically and efficiently. Most Canadian unions, including CUPE, use Bourinot’s Rules of Order. These rules are fair and based on common sense. They help us move through union business and make good decisions at local membership meetings, and division and national conventions.
Union Discounts:
CUPE Links:
Learn more about your pension rights:
Labour, Human Rights, Health & Safety, Etc.:
- Ontario Federation of Labour
- Workplace Safety and Insurance Board
- Worker’s Health and Safety Centre
- Ontario Ministry of Labour
- Ontario Human Rights Commission
- Canadian Labour Congress
- Grievance Settlement Board
CUPE 4700 Forms
CUPE 4700 – Health & Safety
Protecting our members every day
Health & Safety Committee Representatives
Norfolk County
- Chris Kindy
- Russ Cudney
- Vicki Rutherford
- Laura Boughner
Haldimand County
- Dan Reichheld
- Victoria Forbes
- Grant Dicker
- Kevin Muller
- Nicole Pereira
- Eric Whyte
- Mark Loney
- Jordan Higgins
- Carter Ashworth
Legislation
Workplace health and safety is governed by the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA).
Reference: OHSA for more information.
WSIB Representatives (Level 1 & 2)
Norfolk County
- Chris Kindy
- Russ Cudney
- Vicki Rutherford
- Angela Fehrman
Haldimand County
- Jason Cole
- Jamie McCrea
- Carlton Hill
Joint Job Evaluation Committee (JJEC)
The JJEC ensures pay equity across all jobs in the bargaining unit.
Key Points:
- Evaluates jobs based on position value, not the individual
- Decisions are made internally; not compared to outside jobs
Factors Used:
- Knowledge & Experience
- Judgment & Mental Effort
- Physical Activity & Dexterity
- Accountability & Supervision
- Contacts & Working Conditions
CUPE 4700 Representatives
Norfolk County: Russell Cudney, Chris Kindy, Theo Karagias, Nicole Boyd-Cudney, Angela Fehrman, Andrea Personnic
Haldimand County: Tyler Smith, Grant Dicker, Cheryl Whittle, Ashley Young
Job Re-Evaluation:
- Get JJEC form from HR
- Complete form in your own words
- Review with your supervisor
- Submit to HR
- JJEC evaluates and reports
- HR issues Decision of Rating
Pay Band Changes:
- Move Down: Wage unchanged; position red-circled
- Move Up: Higher rate applied; retroactive to submission
Grievances
Definition:
A grievance is a violation of:
- Collective Agreement
- Ontario Human Rights Code
- OHSA
- Labour Relations Act
Process:
- Contact Steward
- Escalate to Site Chair
- Formal grievance if unresolved
- President & VP involvement if needed
Types: Individual | Group | Policy/Union
Duty to Accommodate
Purpose:
Adjust workplace conditions to remove barriers, up to undue hardship.
Examples:
- Modified duties or schedules
- Adjusted workspaces
- Flexible productivity expectations
Responsibilities:
- Employer: Initiate, make inquiries, act proactively
- Employee: Disclose limitations, cooperate, accept accommodations
- Union: Represent, participate, balance members’ rights
Undue Hardship:
- Ends when worker is accommodated or hardship is reached
- Factors: Cost, safety, collective agreement, impact on others, organization size
Enforcing Your Rights
CUPE members can enforce accommodation rights via grievance and arbitration.
CUPE members across Canada have secured successful accommodations consistently.
