First Nations employment staff join CUPE

[May 6, 2008 12:15 PM]

First Nations employment staff join CUPE

REGINA: Employees of the First Nations Employment Centre in Regina took a step to improve their own employment last month when they joined CUPE.

Last month, the Canadian Industrial Relations Board certified CUPE to represent the seven in-scope staff at the centre, which is run by the File Hills Qu'Appelle Tribal Council/ Regina Treaty Status Indian Services. The program is funded by the federal government. Terry Dawson, president of the newly formed CUPE local 4883, says members joined CUPE to improve workplace communications. "It gives us a mechanism to address workplace concerns," says Dawson.

The staff provide a range of employment services to First Nations people in Regina, including resume writing, career counselling and interview techniques. The centre was in the news earlier this week because of concerns raised by Service Canada about the potential misuse of funds. The matter is under investigation. Dawson says CUPE members at the centre welcome the investigation, adding the review involves their employer - the File Hill Qu'Appelle Tribal Council/Regina Treaty Status Indian Services - not the staff at the employment centre.

"We [the CUPE members] do not have signing authority and we are not a part of the review because our job is to deliver employment and training services. We also do not oversee or authorize expenditures of other programs/ services delivered by RTSIS and their senior management," he adds.

For more information contact Terry at: 924-1606 cope491