The B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (the union) has recently been made aware of a new position that the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction (the ministry) is creating. This week we have communicated with the ministry and raised concerns that our members have expressed. Specifically, we have sought clarity around two issues: is this a reclassification or a new position, and how will this new position affect the outstanding EAW classification appeal?

The ministry has advised us that this is a separate and new position, and the union will be in close communication with the ministry to ensure that the process to fill these new positions will be clear and consistent with the 17th and 18th Public Service Agreement (the collective agreement) and Public Service Act. The ministry has committed to communication at the Article 29 committee level.

With respect to the existing EAW classification appeal, as a result of the EAW benchmark review being canceled in accordance with the terms of settlement of the 18th collective agreement, the union has written to the Public Service Agency (PSA) to formally bring the existing EAW appeal out of abeyance. The new collective agreement takes effect in April 2019, at which point the union and the PSA will begin the process pursuant to Article 28.3 to begin scheduling on-site meetings to move the appeal forward. These on-sites will allow an in-depth review of all roles and scope of work the EAWs currently perform, including Intake, Outreach, Call Centre etc. 

We can assure you that all EAWs will have a full and administratively fair process for your classification appeal.

In solidarity,

Jennifer Jordan
Staff Representative

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UWU/MoveUP