Who is the Kootenay District Council (KDC)?
The Kootenay District Council was one of two original British Columbia district councils to be represented at the founding meeting of the merging of NUPSE and NUPE into CUPE in Winnipeg in 1963.
For the last fifty years, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) has been part of the strong public sector voice within Kootenay labour. CUPE’s Kootenay locals continue to grow both in numbers and with respect to their impact on the social and economic life of the Kootenays.
CUPE was formed in 1963 by merging the National Union of Public Employees (NUPE) and the National Union of Public Service Employees (NUPSE) in Winnipeg on September 24, 1963. It has grown to become Canada’s largest union, providing a strong voice in support of workers’ rights, equality and top quality public services with over 627,000 members from coast-to-coast-to-coast.
What is the KDC?
The KDC is a group that unites CUPE locals from the East and West Kootenays. In all, KDC represents 2,400 working people in 24 locals. Just as CUPE has grown by more than 5,000 members in the last few years, we in the Kootenays have grown as well. In fact, the KDC has affiliation with most Locals in the Kootenays.
Education
Union education is a major focus of the KDC. In spring, summer and autumn, the Council organizes courses with the assistance of CUPE’s National education department.
Arbitration, stewarding, leadership, parliamentary procedure, job evaluation, grievance handling, communications and health and safety are just a few of the many courses organized on behalf of KDC-affiliated locals.
Networking
Perhaps the most important aspect of the KDC is networking. When KDC representatives meet for education courses, socials or regular quarterly meetings, CUPE members have the opportunity to exchange information about issues that affect working people.
Community
Every KDC course held in a Kootenay community crates a significant economic impact. Space rentals, hotels, meals, entertainment and a variety of expenditures bring business to Kootenay communities. With members in municipal, school, social services, library and transit sectors — as well as ambulance paramedics, regional district and recreational workers — CUPE members are a strong presence in communities throughout the Kootenays.
We are neighbours, friends and family — vital participants in our communities. In that spirit, the KDC is proud to sponsor various non-profit organizations and charities throughout the area.
Other Benefits of Affiliation
All CUPE Locals pay a small registration fee for KDC-sponsored events. KDC enables CUPE members in big and small Locals to share common interests. An affiliation with the KDC makes the Kootenay’s CUPE voice a strong one regionally, provincially and nationally. Every CUPE Local in the Kootenays is welcome to affiliate and be a part of this dynamic and growing organization. Is your local part of the KDC?
Exchanging Ideas
Each year, the KDC holds an all-presidents meeting in Creston. These meetings, attended by local presidents from throughout the Kootenays as well as CUPE BC executive members, regional staff and area office staff, are an opportunity to exchange ideas and discuss various issues affecting K-12, municipal, library, and community social services sectors in the area.
“For the past several years, we’ve had CUPE Local presidents from all around the Kootenays attend these meetings,” says KDC president Gerry Schmon. “These people don’t get to see each other or talk about their problems and concerns very often, so this is a great opportunity to share information. We are the only district council in Canada that brings its affiliates together for this type of event.”
The meetings are typically broken into separate groups for the various sectors. CUPE BC executive members and staff gain valuable perspective from the Kootenays while sharing experiences from around the province. After the meetings, a group dinner is held followed by an evening round-table discussion about current issues affecting all locals and sectors.