This is advance notice to BCGEU members at Vancouver Island University of important opportunities. Some members of bargaining committees have described it as being the most valuable professional development they have experienced.

The collective agreement between Vancouver Island University and the BCGEU is scheduled for renewal by March 31, 2019. If negotiations are not concluded by March 31, 2019, the existing collective agreement will remain in effect during the period of collective bargaining.

The union will be seeking nominations for candidates to participate in the Bargaining Committee. Two types of positions will be available; a Bargaining Committee Chairperson and Bargaining Committee members. Members of the Bargaining Committee will work with a BCGEU staff representative who will be assigned to be the union's negotiator in collective bargaining.

A union negotiator applies negotiating techniques to achieve a collective agreement. Bargaining Committee members fulfil a variety of functions important to successful negotiations. They advise the union's negotiator of the realitites of the daily work lives of members. They establish priorities for bargaining based on their knowledge and beliefs of the interests of union members. During the bargaining process, they formulate strategic moves.

Bargaining Committee members are a critical aspect of a democratic union that represents its members' interests at worksites. Staff representatives support the work of stewards, officers and bargaining committees to help the union to be strong, representative and democratic.

Clause 2.9 of your collective agreement states that members who serve on a bargaining committee receive leave without loss of pay.

(c)        With Pay -- Leave of absencewith pay and without loss of senioritywill be granted:

1. to faculty members who are representatives of the Union to leave their employment to carry on negotiations with the Employer;

Establishment of a Bargaining Committee through a process of nominations and elections will take place early in the autumn of 2018. Please look for a notice of nominations being sent in late August or early September.

This advanced notice alerts members to these important opportunities. Some members of bargaining committees have described it as being the most valuable professional development they have experienced.

IMPORTANT: The union provides members with the option to receive bargaining related information by email. If you would like to receive information by email, please go to the union’s website athttps://my.bcgeu.ca/and update your contact information by providing an email address that isnot associated with your employer.
i.e., please provide an email address thatdoes not end in@viu.ca.


In solidarity

Ernie Gorrie
Staff Representative



Download PDF of notice here


UWU/MoveUP