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ACTIONS

Seniors Deserve Better

Home support is the most cost-efficient way to take care of seniors and people with physical disabilities. It allows them to live longer, healthier and happier lives.

Community health workers are trained professionals, but funding cuts have made it hard for them to do their jobs.

The provincial government’s recent funding commitment covers a number of areas including home support, but we need to ensure proper implementation of the plan.

Affordable BC

The housing crisis is denying BC's working class the ability to own or rent a home that fits their needs. Rents are skyrocketing, and wages cannot keep up. To make life more affordable we need to strike at the root of the housing crisis.

Affordable BC is a plan put together by the BCGEU with the help of experts to solve the housing crisis. By working together, we can make this plan become a reality. Take action today. 

Shop Public

Shopping public means making your purchases at a BC Liquor Store or BC Cannabis Store. These stores are owned and operated by us – the public – through the BC Liquor Distribution Branch of our government.  

Shopping at BC Liquor Stores and BC Cannabis Stores is vital to our communities because our purchases generate millions in revenue that are spent on public services – like child care and health care – and sustain thousands of secure, stable jobs.

Shopping public also means supporting workers who have the experience and knowledge to responsibly support customers. These workers, who are employed by the BC Liquor Distribution Branch (BCLDB) in stores and warehouses across the province, have been working steadily on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, all while generating record revenues for the province. They continue this work without recognition or essential pay, despite asking the provincial government for it.

My Library - the heart of the community - BCGEU

All libraries, large or small, at their heart provide the same core services – books, computer access, and connection to the larger world. In small communities libraries reflect their communities and meet broad needs including personal connection. Programs and partnerships become ways for the community to share knowledge and connect to others. The library becomes a space to honour local traditions, share ideas and catch up with neighbours.

It’s more important than ever to protect and promote these important cultural hubs in rural areas of our province.

The BCGEU is launching the My Library: Heart of the Community campaign to raise awareness of the important role that libraries play in small communities.

Our Environment

The BCGEU has long recognized that a healthy environment is essential to the well-being and prosperity of all working people and their communities. At the same time, BCGEU members are increasingly concerned about environmental issues and the effects of climate change. In 2005, the union struck the Provincial Executive Environment Committee to examine environmental issues in B.C. and across Canada. Through this work, the committee seeks to contribute to better environmental stewardship and climate change solutions, as well as support a just transition as the world moves to more sustainable methods of production.

Community Social Services Matter

Community social services support youth and adults with developmental disabilities and Aboriginal communities. They help women facing domestic violence, the homeless, individuals battling addictions. They work to strengthen families through counselling, and help youth in conflict with the law. They provide kids with a great start to life through early childhood education and learning.

Young Workers

The BCGEU Young Workers Committee is comprised of members 30 and under who encourage young people to get active in all areas of the union.

 

Women

The BCGEU is recognized as a leader in fighting for women's rights in the workplace and the community. The BCGEU has a long and proud herstory of representing women member, who presently make up two-thirds of the total BCGEU membership. 

Watch We are the union: Women's Work, a documentary produced by the Provincial Executive Women's Committee that celebrates the achievements of union women throughout history.

 

WOMEN'S COMMITTEE

Terms of reference: 

WOMEN'S COMMITTEE

  • promotes the awareness of women's issues within the union;
  • encourages the participation of women at all levels of union activities;
  • recommends to the provincial executive the elimination of specifically identified systemic barriers to full participation of women in the union;
  • promotes, through the education committee, and other provincial executive committees, the continuing education of our members on areas of gender equity and rights within the union;
  • develops bargaining proposals on issues of concern to women;
  • recommends educational programs which address the needs of women;
  • reviews union policies, practices and positions with a life/work balance lens and amend as required; and
  • develops and submits resolutions to the provincial executive for BCGEU and labour affiliates.

The BCGEU Women's Committee is involved in the following:

  • International Women's Day on March 8: Around the world people celebrate women's contributions and continue to fight for women's equality. Copies of the BCGEU International Women's Day poster are available at BCGEU area offices. 
  • Herstory Month in October.
  • The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women on December 6.

Check back for a list of labour-supported events in communities across B.C. All BCGEU members are invited to take part in these events.

 

RESOURCES

International Women's Day poster
DOWNLOAD INT'L WOMEN'S DAY POSTER (PDF)

 

 

 

DOWNLOAD THE HERSTORY POSTER (OCTOBER)

 

 

 

 

 

DOWNLOAD THE NATIONAL DAY OF REMEMBRANCE POSTER (DECEMBER 6)

 

 

 

 

 

 

International Solidarity

BCGEU Members, as part of a global community, have made supporting international social justice and labour solidarity causes a priority for our union. Our jobs and the delivery of important public services for British Columbians are impacted by developments in other countries.

Our International Solidarity Committee supports and collaborates with a number of organizations to advance working people's interests around the world. 

CURRENT ACTIONS:

 

What does our International Solidarity Committee do?

  • Show that the global community is watching: we often send official letters to governments and other organizations in support of our international partners.
  • Spread awareness on issues of importance to workers around the world through alerts to our members with information as to how they can get involved.
  • Support our international partners through member delegations and financial contributions.

BCGEU Members, as part of a global community, have made supporting international social justice and labour solidarity causes a priority for our union. Our jobs and the delivery of important public services for British Columbians are impacted by developments in other countries.

Partner organizations: 
View the list of partner organizations

Do you know a project or organization that would be a good candidate for support from our International Solidarity Committee?
Let us know by filling out and sending in an application to [email protected] and [email protected]: