The BCGEU is pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that will improve benefits for all auxiliary members of the BC Wildfire Service. This MOA covers frontline fire fighters and the administrative staff who support their work.
“By its very nature, fighting forest fires is seasonal work. That should not mean the men and women who work so hard to protect our province should be denied benefits,” says BCGEU president Stephanie Smith. “Many of these auxiliary workers are on the job year after year during forest fire season. This is an important first step to improve their benefits.”
“Our auxiliary members work long hours over a short period of time. All too often they simply cannot use their benefits until the fire season, and their benefits coverage comes to an end,” says George Buis, BCGEU vice president Component 20 - Environmental Technical and Operational.
“This MOA addresses the unique nature of the work our BC Wildfire Service members do. I know it will come as good news,” says Maria Middlemiss, BCGEU vice president Component 12 – Administrative Services.
Under the new MOA, seasonal auxiliaries will be eligible for benefits earlier and be able to use the benefits for a month after their work season ends. Eligibility for benefits will occur after employees begin their second fire season and have worked 500 hours, rather than the current requirement of three seasons and 700 hours.
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