Equality Statement
Union solidarity is based on the principle that union members are equal and deserve mutual respect at all levels. Any behaviour that creates conflict prevents us from working together to strengthen our union.
As unionists, mutual respect, cooperation and understanding are our goals. We should neither condone nor tolerate behaviour that undermines the dignity or self-esteem of any individual or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment.
Discriminatory speech or conduct which is racist, sexist, transphobic or homophobic hurts and thereby divides us. So too, does discrimination on the basis of ability, age, class, religion, language and ethnic origin.
Sometimes discrimination takes the form of harassment. Harassment means using real or perceived power to abuse, devalue or humiliate. Harassment should not be treated as a joke. The uneasiness and resentment that it creates are not feelings that help us grow as a union.
Discrimination and harassment focus on characteristics that make us different; and they reduce our capacity to work together on shared concerns such as decent wages, safe working conditions, and justice in the workplace, society and in our union.
CUPE’s policies and practices must reflect our commitment to equality. Members, staff and elected officers must be mindful that all sisters and brothers deserve dignity, equality and respect.
Table & Executive Officers
President- Tammy Carter
I started working with School District 67 in January of 2007 as an Education Assistant. I live in Summerland with my husband Shawn, and we have two adult kids. March 6th, 2021, I became the President for Local 523. Before this role, I was the Unit Chair for School District 67 and before that I was the 3rd Vice President. Before sitting on the executive, I was involved in the Unit as the education person as well as assisting the Unit Chair with various activities and planning events for our unit, I was also a Shop Steward for a very short time in SD67. I have sat on the CUPE BC Education Committee for two years and currently sit on the CUPE BC K-12 Committee for the upcoming two years. I am the communication person and trustee for the Okanagan Mainline District Council (OMDC) and the treasurer for the South Okanagan Boundary Labour Council (SOBLC). I have experience at the SOBLC table as a secretary role before the treasurer role. I am very proud to be part of Local 523 and look forward to continuing my activism in the role as President. Thank you for the support and for all that you do.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 250-462-3343 or email president@cupe523.com
Secretary Treasurer – Kyle Clark
Phone: 236-301-1099 (cell)
Email: sec_treasurer@cupe523.com
Recording Secretary- Erica McDowell
I started working with School District 67 in 2008 as a CEA and I have been fortunate to serve on the Executive as your Recording Secretary for the past 8 years. Before becoming a CEA, I worked as a Graphic Artist in the print industry, this experience has aided me to help implement new ways to communication with members as technology evolves.
Phone: 250-462-8590 Email: rec_secretary@cupe523.com
1st Vice President – Shawn Melnyk
Phone: 604-202-9500
Email: 1vp@cupe523.com
2nd Vice President – Melanie Harriman
Phone: 250-462-1603
Email: 2vp@cupe523.com
3rd Vice President – Devon Brindley
Phone: 778-686-4787
Email: 3vp@cupe523.com
Indigenous Workers’ Representative – Sherri Havig
Phone: 250-870-6784
Email:
UNIT CHAIRS
SD53- Charlene Turnbull
I am a Education Assistant for School District 53, at Osoyoos Secondary School. I have been a Union Activist for the past 6 years and I take my Union Positions seriously and will not let you down. Okanagan Proud & Strong!!!
Any Questions please Contact me at 250-485-7302 or email unit53@cupe523.com
SD67- Terri Phillips
I have been a CEA since 2004 and have been with the Okanagan Skaha district since 2007. I love the job and am happy to have gotten more involved with the union. I have recently started this position as Unit Chair for SD67 and am finding it both exciting and challenging. As your Unit Chair, I am here to support you, the members! Any Questions please Contact me at 250-488-6968 or email unit67@cupe523.com
SD83- Courtney Thomson
Hello/Weytkp,
My name is Courtney Thomson, I have been a CEA since 2018 at SD83 in the North District on the unceded territories of the Okanagan/Sqilixw/Syilx and Splatsin People. My husband and I moved here from the coast with our two beautiful children. The adjustment has been exceptional. We cherish every day and are thankful for the life we have been given.
My journey into the Union was a blessing, I was voted to go to conventation and I feel like the rest was history. I have been involved in the Entertainment committee and a Shop Steward for SD83. I have recently started this position as Unit Chair, thank you for giving me the opportunity to advocate for you and with you.
Phone: 604-854-0423
Email: unit83@cupe523.com
NOYFSS- Rob Young
Phone: 778-676-0225
Email: noyfss@cupe523.com
TPCS- Zoe Froemgen
Phone: 250-681-7207
Email: tpcs@cupe523.com
SCS- Sunnie Waters
Phone: 778-549-8270
Email: scs@cupe523.com
Unit & Steward Contact Information:
Turning Points – Contact Info
NOYFSS – Contact Info
SCS – Contact Info
SD53 – Contact Info
SD67 – Contact Info
SD83 – Contact Info
Trustees
- Nancy Boisvenue, member from SD83
- Sylvia Lindgren, member from SD83
- Morgan Wilson, member from SD83
MailingAddress:
CUPE Local523
#101 – 416 Westminster Ave. W. Penticton, BC, V2A 1K5
Equality Statement
Committees
Committees Information Chart
A complete list of Local 523 Committees, Roles and Responsibilities.
Health Safety Committee
The Occupational Heath & Safety Committee shall be comprised of the President or designate. and up to two OH&S representative(s) from each unit.
Good & Welfare Committee
The Good and Welfare Committee shall be comprised of the 3rd Vice President (Chair) and one member from each Unit.
The Good & Welfare Committee shall be dedicated to supporting all members of CUPE 523 by providing recognition of those special events and other circumstances in accordance with guidelines developed by the Committee.
Education Committee
The Local recognizes the value of Union education and shall provide appropriate educational opportunities to members in good standing.
Communication Committee
The Communications Committee shall be comprised of the 2nd Vice President (Chair), Recording Secretary and up to one member from each unit.
Entertainment Committee
The Entertainment Committee shall be comprised of the 3rd Vice President and three (3) other members, Sub-committees may be created on an ad-hoc basis to organize events.
Job Evaluation Maintenance Committee
The JEMC committee is a joint Union/Employer committee. The committee evaluates jobs to ensure that they are correctly rates base on nine factors. Pay rates are determined after the factors are rated.
About CUPE Local 523
Welcome to CUPE Local 523. As a CUPE member, you are part of the largest Union in Canada. CUPE represents workers in health care, public schools, municipalities, libraries, universities, social services, public utilities, transportation, emergency services, and airlines.
CUPE 523 Structure
CUPE 523 has two Community Social Services Units and three School District Units
Our Community Social Service Units are:
- Turning Points Collaborative Society, Vernon
- North Okanagan Youth and Family Services Vernon
- Summerland Community Support – Summerland
Our School District Units are:
- Okanagan Similkameen (School District #53)
- Okanagan Skaha (School District #67)
- North Okanagan Shuswap (School District #83)
Union Mailing Address:
CUPE Local523: #101 – 416 Westminster Ave. W. Penticton, BC, V2A 1K5
General and Unit Meetings
General Meetings: CUPE Local523 holds eight general meetings a year. Members are encouraged to attend the general meetings. Meeting notices are posted on CUPE bulletin boards and on our website.
Unit Meetings: Each Unit will hold informational meetings throughout the year. Unit members are also encouraged to attend these informational meetings. Meeting notices are posted on CUPE bulletin boards.
Paid Mileage: Members shall be paid mileage to attend general meetings when they are driving two or more other members to the general meeting. (Local Bylaws, Section 4, d)
Child Care Services – Please contact your unit chair 4 days prior to the meeting if child care service is needed for you to attend.
Getting Sworn In (Applying for Membership)
All employees covered by the CUPE Collective Agreement are required to be sworn in as a member as a condition of employment. You can be sworn in at any general meeting. As a sworn in member, you are guaranteed all the rights and privileges that come with Union membership, including voting rights, the right to strike pay, eligibility for CUPE bursaries available to the children of CUPE members and eligibility for the CUPE Death Benefit Fund or Hardship Fund.