Public Service Bargaining - Bulletin #8: Talks continue as clock counts down to end of current agreement

Talks continue as clock counts down to end of current agreement - employment security demands still outstanding

Negotiations for the 15th Master agreement for 29,000 BCGEU public service members resumed this week in Victoria with less than three weeks to go until the current collective agreement expires at the end of the month.

"This week we focused our discussions on the central issue of employment security - but we are not yet at the point of agreement," said Darryl Walker, BCGEU president.

"Both committees have worked hard to find agreement on this critical issue, but the employer still has not provided enough movement on our employment security proposals related to the Liquor Distribution Branch."

Discussions are outstanding on employment security proposals related to seniority blocks which apply to under-three-year employees in the event of layoff. In particular, the Ministry of Forests, who have told employees that an additional 160 employees may be subject to layoff in the next weeks, have yet to table any proposals for seniority blocks in their ministry.

We negotiated language and a process to deal with bullying in the workplace. In addition, progress was made this week on union proposals to address sick leave and special leaves. Discussions also took place on items unresolved at component bargaining tables.

Talks resume next week in Victoria. Sub-committees are also scheduled to meet on several other outstanding issues. Additional bargaining dates are set weekly through to March 31, when the current contract expires.

Members should check the BCGEU web site (www.bcgeu.ca) for updates.

To make sure the union has your e-mail address to receive bargaining news, go to http://www.bcgeu.ca/email.

Members can also check the union's Bargaining Hotline by calling (604) 473-5444 or 1-800-335-5665.

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