The BCGEU is inviting nominations from members to serve on the bargaining committee to renew a collective agreement with Vancouver Island University. Two types of positions are available:

• one (1) bargaining unit chairperson position
• three (3) bargaining committee member positions

The BCGEU encourages all members to consider seeking this opportunity so that the bargaining committee can reflect the diversity of the membership.

The bargaining unit chairperson will be required to be on leave without loss of pay intermittently during the term of the collective agreement. The bargaining unit chairperson will also attend meetings in the Greater Vancouver Area regarding negotiations with other colleges and universities. This is expected to involve a number of weeks over a period of three or more months beginning as early as September 2018.

All bargaining committee members will be on leave intermittently before and during the period of negotiations with Vancouver Island University for the purpose of developing the bargaining package and negotiations with the University. 

The bargaining committee works with a union staff representative who speaks for the committee in negotiating sessions. It is the core group of members who seek input from the broader membership as to matters that members wish to change in the collective agreement. 

Members who serve on a bargaining committee often find it a growth experience in their personal and professional aspects of life. Representing VIU employees on a bargaining committee is an opportunity to better understand the labour movement and how labour unions and employers work things out.

A member does not need to be a steward or officer of the union to be elected to a bargaining committee. Again the BCGEU encourages all members to consider seeking to seek this opportunity so that the bargaining committee can reflect the diversity of the membership.

A member can be nominated for both the bargaining unit chairperson position and a bargaining committee member position. If the member is elected as the bargaining unit chairperson they would not also be elected as a bargaining committee member.

Being on a bargaining committee does require commitment to achieve the goals of the membership. First, bargaining committee members set aside their personal goals to achieve the goals of the membership in negotiating. Second, committee members commit themselves to a process that may take weeks or months. This latter commitment is supported by the union through union leaves that provide wage protection and reimbursement for expenses consistent with the union's financial policies.

Please consider running for election to the bargaining committee or encouraging coworkers to run for election. A diverse bargaining committee, representative of the membership, can contribute to a strong negotiating process that achieves members' goals.

Nominations must be made using the attached nomination form. Nominations can be submitted by:

• Fax to 1-800-946-0247
• Email to [email protected]
• Mail or personal delivery to #106 – 1650 Terminal Ave North, Nanaimo, V9S 0A3

Nominations must be received at the BCGEU North Island Area Office by

5p.m. on Friday, September 28, 2018

In Solidarity

Ernie Gorrie
Staff Representative

Download PDF of notice here.
Download PDF of nomination form for Bargaining Unit Chairperson here.
Download PDF of Bargaining Committee Member here.

UWU/MoveUP