Dear BCGEU,
 
Unfortunately, despite spending the last two weeks at the bargaining table with the PSA, we don’t have many substantive updates to share. To say the least, we’re disappointed at lack of progress from the employer’s side. 
 
In recent years, it’s become clear that our collective agreement needs significant structural changes in order to meet your needs – including addressing the affordability crisis and achieving a fair and just workplace. Members have lost faith in our agreement’s strength, so we’re prioritizing structural changes rather than simple tweaks this round. We’ve been disappointed to find our employer committed to the status quo rather than collaborating to address today’s challenges.
 
Outside the bargaining table, you’ve seen another side of the employer’s delaying and intimidation tactics: the recent government townhall. We had hoped that the event would be a conversation about our work and building a stronger BC Public Service in the face of uncertainty, but instead members left the call feeling scared about funding for our public service jobs.
 
But here’s the thing: we know that there is money to invest in our public service. Every day, we see the money that they spend on consultants. During these difficult economic times, what government is in-fact facing is a revenue problem – particularly in capital spending and procurement.
 
In the face of uncertainty, the PSA wants to continue the status quo rather than building a stronger and more resilient public service to empower our province in the coming years. 
 
BCGEU members can’t wait for the PSA to agree to fix our agreement incrementally. In our recent poll of the membership, we found that nearly half of BCGEU members in the public service are already falling behind from the recent economic challenges from the United States, and more than 20% are working more than one job.
 
That’s why we’re taking the necessary steps to build power outside of the bargaining table.
 
Strong, effective collective agreements aren’t won at the bargaining table alone. Our committee draws its power from a unified membership and public pressure, and to show that, our union is stepping up two additional aspects of our bargaining campaign:

As we continue our work at the bargaining table, we want to extend our thanks to the thousands of members who participated in our recent member poll about your priorities. Your input continues to give our committee the insight we need to negotiate an agreement that works for all members.
 
The next few months will be crucial for our negotiations, and this is why it is incredibly important for us to stand together in our fight for a fair agreement.
 
In solidarity,

Your Public Service Bargaining Committee  

Paul Finch, President and Committee Chair   
Maria Middlemiss, Treasurer   
Dean Purdy, Component 1 Vice-President  
Kusam Doal, Component 5 Vice-President  
Judy Fox-McGuire, Component 6 Vice-President  
Mona Dykes, Component 6 Second Representative  
DJ Pohl, Component 12 Vice-President  
Faith Johnston, Component 12 Second Representative
Robert Davis, Component 20 Vice-President 
Douglas W. Dykens, Executive Director – Advocacy, Negotiations, Member 
Benefits and secretary to the PSBC 
Larisa Mills, Staff Representative 
Sumiko Marshall, Support Staff