Master Bargaining update: talks sidetracked by government announcement of BCGEU member layoffs

Three days of negotiations between the BCGEU and the B.C. Government were marred this week by the government’s announcement that it’s closing two youth corrections units for female offenders in Prince George and Victoria. As a result, more than two-dozen regular and auxiliary BCGEU members in Component One (Corrections & Sheriff Services) will lose their jobs.

“This announcement distracted our work at the bargaining table, to say the least. The rights of the affected members have to be protected and that’s where we’ve been focusing our efforts for the last few days,” said BCGEU President Darryl Walker.

Despite the distraction, some progress on minor issues was made at the negotiating table.

The union is seeking a fair and reasonable agreement. BCGEU members have identified wage increases, job security and improved benefits as their main contract priorities. 

Full Master Bargaining will resume on Tuesday, February 7 in Vancouver. In the meantime, the negotiations will focus on concluding six separate component (occupational group) agreements.

Roughly 85 percent of BCGEU members will be in contract negotiations in 2012. Bargaining in the Community Health subsector begins next week in Vancouver. The BCGEU represents 8,300 BCGEU members who provide home and community-based care and related support services.

Visit our Bargaining 2012 webpage for bargaining updates.

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