Damkxw,

We are very happy to announce that Vic Denny has agreed to serve as the third member of your bargaining committee. Please join us in welcoming him. 

We want to hear from you.

We met January 4, 5, 6 and 7,2024 to start preparing to negotiate your first collective agreement and, again January 11, 12 and 14. A critical component of proposal development is finding out what you would like to see changed. To assist in that process we intend to survey the members through a variety of forums starting with an electronic survey to start determining your key priorities. 

In the interim, we thought it would be useful to set out the four stages of bargaining.

1. Pre-Bargaining or Preparation.

We are currently in the pre-bargaining stage. It is during this stage that proposals are developed. But before that occurs your bargaining committee must gather information by reviewing workplace issues, existing workplace policies or rules, changes to applicable law, and seeking member input. Member input ranges from surveys, meetings, individual feedback, or any other forums that are specific to the bargaining unit. Member input will be sought throughout the bargaining process.

2. Bargaining.

Once the proposals have been developed, we will sit down with your Employer to exchange proposals and begin the process of negotiating a renewal collective agreement. The intention is to reach a tentative settlement which will be put to the members for a ratification vote. A tentative settlement is usually arrived at without the need for job action however, that is not always the case. If negotiations reach impasse members may need to exercise their right to strike to achieve their priorities. You will know well in advance should your bargaining committee feel it is necessary to obtain a strike vote; that decision will not be made without member input.

3. Voting and Ratification.

Members are entitled to vote on a tentative settlement which is why it's referred to as a "tentative" settlement. The terms of the settlement do not form the renewed collective agreement until ratified by the members. Once ratified, the terms and conditions contained in the in the tentative settlement are incorporated into the collective agreement and become legally binding on the Employer and Union and its members.

4. Post-Ratification/Bargaining

The collective agreement is amended to incorporate the agreed-to changes and signed off. The changes are typically effective upon ratification not when the new collective agreement has been signed off and printed. Preparation for the next bargaining round normally starts six (6) months before expiry.

We will communicate regularly through bargaining bulletins, member meetings, and one-on-one conversations at each stage of the process. 

If you know a BCGEU member who didn't receive this bulletin, please forward it to them. If you are a BCGEU member who didn't receive the bulletin directly, please update your email address with your Union by logging into the Member Portal here.

In solidarity,

Zoe Towle, Staff Representative, Negotiations

Download PDF of bulletin here

UWU/MoveUP