LOCAL 603 NEWS, EVENTS AND ISSUES

Local 603 News, Events & Issues

Doug Stephen's Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Local Chair Chris Dabrowski (right) - May 28th 2009

Workload Issues – Appendix 4 Templates Coming Soon

Many of us are feeling like the workload we are expected to manage is overwhelming. At times, our Employer is scapegoating and punishing members for not managing our unreasonable workloads. There is something you can do.

Under the Social, Information & Health Component Agreement we can file Appendix 4 Workload Reports. This process informs the Employer our workload is too high, it demands that management help prioritize the workload and come up with feasible solutions to potentially dangerous situations.

Appendix 4 templates for many jobs will soon be available on the BCGEU web page to assist members in filing these reports. This process makes the Employer assume responsibility and accountability in providing adequate staffing levels, backfill for temporary vacant positions, and take the lead in prioritizing the workload. Workers must protect themselves from occupational stress and health problems, critical incidents due to workload and from burnout.

Contact your shop steward, or Local 603 Executive member about filing anindividual, or group Appendix 4 Workload Report, or a grievance under Article 12.2 in the Component 6 Agreement if your workload conditions, or those of your team, are unreasonable, unworkable and/or problematic.

We are responsible for important and valuable services to the public and as workers, we should not continue to pay the high cost of personal and professional impacts to our health and well-being due to workload.

We’re supporting the Child Care – Let’s Make it Happen campaign of BCGEU & the Coalition of Child Care Advocates of BC to advocate for the Conservative federal government to continue the commitment to child care funding in our province.

We’re also supporting the Raise the Rates Campaign, advocating for the BC government to increase the rates and decrease the barriers for accessing income assistance in BC. Around the province homelessness is flourishing because so many vulnerable people cannot access important features of the social safety net - income assistance and affordable, safe housing. Make Poverty History is an international initiative we support.