After returning to the negotiating table in mid-September, talks continued over wages and compensation with a focus on making gains in the areas that members have mandated us to achieve in this round of bargaining. 
As it stands, the parties still do not agree on how to reach a tentative agreement that includes a fair and equitable compensation package, meaningful recognition and reconciliation for Indigenous workers, supporting psychologically safer and healthier workplaces and promoting equity, diversity and inclusion. 

Community social services is the only public sector with a specific subsector collective agreement for Indigenous Services. These workers support individuals, children and families in communities across the province. We cannot reach a tentative agreement that does not fully recognize these workers and bring them parity with their counterparts, specifically those who are directly employed with the provincial government in non-Indigenous agencies. 

Bargaining will now be paused due to scheduling conflicts. However, we will continue with small group discussions in preparation for resuming negotiations in November. 

In June, the BCGEU members of the CSSBA bargaining committee created a Contract Action Team or CAT. The CAT is a network of members just like you who have attended a training and are now busy helping other CSS members get their contact information updated. We want to make sure everyone receives bulletins like this one, and all the information members need to vote on whatever the bargaining committee brings back from the table – whether that's a tentative agreement or a vote on job action if we reach impasse. 

We know that you have been waiting patiently for us to reach a tentative agreement. While we did not anticipate spending this much time at the bargaining table, we are committed to working towards an agreement we can proudly bring back to members to vote on. 

In solidarity, 

Your Community Social Services Bargaining Association (CSSBA) Negotiating Committee 

PS. 

We're asking all members to update your contact information in the Member Portal. If you don't yet have a Member Portal account, click here to sign up today. 

Already have a Member Portal account? You can log in here. If you've forgotten your password, you can reset it here. It's more important than ever to make sure that our union has your up-to-date contact information including your personal email, phone number and home mailing address. 

Please make sure that your colleagues are also updating their contact information and share this bulletin! 

UWU/MoveUP