The BCGEU is pleased to announce that the union has reached an agreement with the provincial government to extend vacation entitlement to auxiliary employees who obtain regular employee status under the Public Service 14th Master Agreement.

Effective January 1, 2008, the vacation year for qualified auxiliary employees who obtain or have obtained regular status will be increased by one day, in recognition of auxiliary employees' commitment to longer term career opportunities in the public service.

The Memorandum of Agreement covers regular employees who had previously qualified for vacation as auxiliary employees - having completed 1827 hours in 33 pay periods - and who have maintained their seniority.

The increase will be effective in the vacation year following the year in which the employee obtains regular status, and in most cases will have the effect of increasing their 2008 vacation entitlement by one day.

The agreement also notes that no additional vacation entitlements will accrue prior to 2008, and any retroactive recognition before 2008 applies only to current employees.

"We are very pleased to have reached this mutual agreement with the government to increase our members' vacation entitlement," said BCGEU president George Heyman. "This agreement helps provide incentives for auxiliary employees to pursue long term employment opportunities within the public service."

Eligible employees who have not received confirmation from their employer on their vacation adjustment before April 30, 2008 are responsible to apply to their BCPSA Client Services Office (or Human Resource Office, where the BCPSA is not their human resource provider) prior to June 30, 2008.

Applications received after June 30, 2008 will not be considered unless leave has prevented the employee from making an application.

Click to download Memorandum of Agreement on Vacation for Benefited Employees.

For pdf version of notice click here.