Aboriginal Services Collective Agreement ratified

New contract improves job security and fair work practices

BCGEU members working in Aboriginal community-based social services have approved their new collective agreement.

“We are very pleased that BCGEU members who support first nations families and individuals in our communities have voted in favour of this agreement,” says BCGEU President Darryl Walker. “The quality of care and support they are able to provide is directly impacted by their own job security and working conditions.”

The agreement improves job security and fair work practices for aboriginal services workers, such as bumping, job selection language and bullying. In addition, the government has approved a $600,000 retraining grant for workers in the sector.

Other highlights include the creation of a new Aboriginal Alternate Dispute Resolution process for grievances covered by this collective agreement.

The new agreement is ratified effective December 5, 2011 and runs until March 31, 2012.

BCGEU represents 176 Aboriginal community social service workers covered by this agreement.