The B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU) has filed two grievances against your employer for failing to implement the wage increases and benefit enhancements that you are owed under the new collective agreement.

On June 19, 2018, BCGEU members at Silliker JR Labs voted to ratify a new collective agreement that includes significant improvements, including more money in your pocket:

• Retroactive wage increase of 2.5% effective December 2017 for the entire bargaining unit;
• New wage rates for certain classifications, effective date of ratification;
• In addition, your new collective agreement includes enhanced extended health benefits and improved coverage for vision care ($350 every two years for prescription eyeglasses and $250 every two years for protective eyeglasses – previously $250 and $150).

Unfortunately, despite repeated conversations with the employer since ratification three months ago, these wage increases have not been applied to your pay cheque, and neither have your benefit improvements. That's not right, and it's not fair!

The union is filing these grievances to protect your rights, and to make sure that you get the money you are owed. Grievances take time, but rest assured, your rights are protected. You will get the pay increases!

Because the wage increases apply to the entire bargaining unit, you do not need to do anything. The union will work to resolve the pay increase issues through the grievance process.

However, if you submitted an extended health benefit on or after June 19, and in particular reimbursement for vision care at the higher rates, please speak with your union workplace stewards. As a reminder, your stewards are: Heidi Lefaive, Aida Titerlea, and Nikolai Stepanov.

In solidarity

Oliver Rohlfs
Staff Representative

Download PDF of notice here.