Public Service Bargaining - Bulletin #1

Negotiations for a 15th master and component agreements for 29,000 BCGEU public service members began this week in Vancouver with the union and representatives of the provincial government exchanging bargaining proposals.

"There's no doubt this is going to be a challenging round of negotiations," said Darryl Walker, BCGEU president. "We will be working creatively to find solutions that work for the members, government and for British Columbians who depend on the services we provide."

"Based on your input, priority areas for the union at the bargaining table include employment security, benefit improvements, and compensation," said Walker.

"Our proposals focus on winnable issues that resolve long standing inequities and help prepare the public service for the challenges of the coming decade," says Walker. "We told the government negotiators that public services can play an important role in aiding the province's economic recovery and that the government's planned five per cent reduction in staff over three years is challenging the ability of our members to provide the quality service the public demands."

B.C. has one of the leanest public services in Canada and is facing the reduction of 1,500 jobs over the next three years according to government budget plans tabled last year. In addition, many occupational groups in the public service are facing significant recruitment and retention problems. The government's own human resource plan projects that the public service could expect to be at least 30 per cent smaller by 2015 as a result of these labour force challenges.

"We have been very clear with the government negotiators at the table this week that the BCGEU is not prepared to recommend a new collective agreement without an extension of our current employment security protections," said Walker.

"For a wage proposal, we have tabled a three per cent increase in line with what the provincial government has already negotiated with registered nurses and doctors. Bargaining only works when there's one set of rules that applies to all involved," said Walker.

"I want all BCGEU members to know that while your bargaining committee is prepared to work creatively to reach a negotiated settlement, we know that this will only happen if there are real improvements for you," Walker said. "We won't settle for nothing. We have delivered this message very clearly at the bargaining table."

The union met the employer on Jan. 12 and 13 to table and conducted an initial review of proposals. Talks resume January 26 through 28, with additional dates set right through to March 31 when the current contract expires.

The BCGEU Public Service Bargaining Committee will be updating members following each bargaining session.

Public Service Bargaining Committee members:

BCGEU president - Darryl Walker
BCGEU vice-president - Colleen Jones
Component 1 - Dean Purdy
Component 2 - Susanne Francoeur
Component 5 - Craig MacKay
Component 6 - Doug Kinna
Component 12 - Sandi McLean, Lori Joaquin
Component 20 - Byron Goerz
Chief staff negotiators - Jaynie Clark, David Vipond

Members are encouraged to register contact information to receive these updates directly. Please go to http://www.bcgeu.bc.ca/change_of_address