Your contract

The BCGEU is widely respected for negotiating good collective agreements for our members.

Having a collective agreement with your employer means your rights as an employee, your wages, hours of work and other important provisions are spelled out in writing. If these provisions aren't followed then your contract also has provisions to resolve problems.

Over the years, Canada's unions have achieved some important gains for working people. Things like pensions, benefits, sick leave, job security, paid vacations, pay equity, and rights and benefits for gays and lesbians.

The BCGEU is widely respected for bargaining good contracts for our members. We have a dedicated team of negotiators who bargain more than 300 different agreements with a wide range of employers in the public and private sectors.

Contracts generally last for one to four years. Then they are renegotiated. As a member, you have input into the bargaining process. You help set the priority issues for the new contract, and you elect a bargaining committee. You also get to vote on approving the new deal. And if bargaining doesn't go smoothly, you also vote on whether to take strike action.

Usually, shop stewards meet with new members to provide a copy of your contract and a brief orientation to it.

Click here to use our searchable database to find your agreement.

Return to the main new members page.