News

BCGEU and ISM Canada reach tentative collective agreement

16 Dec '11

Members will know that with the impending expiry of the current collective agreement between the BCGEU and Information Systems Management Canada on December 31, 2011, the parties have been engaged in the bargaining of a new agreement. Your Union Bargaining Committee is pleased to advise that we have successfully concluded a new, tentative agreement which your committee unanimously recommends for ratification by the membership.

The Union would like to thank ISM Canada for allowing the use of the Employer's internal email system to distribute this bulletin.

A Ratification Vote will be held by mail-in ballot. Members will be sent a ballot with instructions and a postage paid return envelope. Ballots must be returned to the Union by: Thursday, January 5, 2012 at 5:00 pm.

Ratification information meetings will be held as follows:

Lower Mainland

For members outside of the Lower Mainland, the following toll-free call-in number is provided:
1 877 385 4099. Participant access code: 1285235.

Date: Monday, December 19, 2011
Time: 6:00 pm
Place: Tom Kozar Room, Salons A, B, C - BCGEU Headquarters, 4911 Canada Way, Burnaby

Victoria and Vancouver Island

Date: Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Time: 6:00 pm
Place: Auditorium, BCGEU Victoria Area Office, 2994 Douglas Street, Victoria

For Vancouver Island members outside of the Greater Victoria Area, the following toll-free call-in number is provided: 1 877 385 4099. Participant access code: 1285235.

The following describes the proposed, substantive changes to the Collective Agreement:

3-year term agreement expiring December 31, 2014, with the following wage increases – January 7, 2012 – Three percent (3%); January 5, 2013 – Three percent (3%); January 4, 2014 – Three percent (3%);
Increase in paramedical benefits (Chiropractic, Massage Therapy, Naturopath, Acupuncture, Physiotherapy) – from $10 and $12 per visit to $25 per visit;
Increase in night shift premium from $1.25 per hour to $1.50 per hour;
New provision providing a premium of $1.00 per hour for weekend work;
Agreement that the benefit package will include extended health care plan, dental plan, air travel insurance and Employee Family Assistance Plan to employees between the ages of 65 and 70 years of age;
New language providing a guarantee that a regular employee who fails a subsequent probation will be returned to their former position title, pay range and step;
A new Letter of Understanding providing an assurance that employees assigned to work within a 32 kilometre radius of their work location will be conducted in a manner which is equitable and is not arbitrary, discriminatory or in bad faith;
Increase in Joint Union Management Committee from 3 to 4;
Increase in Employer paid leave for Union Bargaining Committee from 3 to 4;
As an environmental initiative, copies of collective agreement printed will be limited to enough for Shop Stewards, Manager/Supervisors and HR staff and members will be directed to the Union's or Employer's websites for ongoing access to these provisions;
Elimination of reference to Municipally declared holidays. Now only Federal and Provincial declarations recognized. All employees currently enjoying a municipally declared holiday will have this benefit grand parented while they remain at their current work location. The addition of Family Day as a paid holiday now formally recognized beginning 2013 (projected implementation date).
Article 12.6 - Shortening of the "explanation period" for unsuccessful applicants for a job to discuss reasons for denial with employer, from 5 days to 2 days providing efficiency for all applicants. Important note: the grievance period of 30 days is unchanged.