This is an update to let you know about the status of the benchmark reviews. The union staff representatives working on the benchmark reviews met with the Corrections Focus Group on January 30th and the Deputy Sheriffs Focus Group on February 2nd. The meetings were to discuss some of the potential classification arguments and evidence to support higher classification ratings.

For both groups, we also discussed a timeline for the hearing process. While we hope to have a hearing for all positions before a classification referee (arbitrator) at the earliest opportunity, we do have to follow the agreed upon Terms of Reference process to allow for an exchange of materials and information with the PSA. We may also need to engage with a classification referee for pre-hearing issues such as disclosure of documents.

Some of you may have heard about the Conservation Officer Service decision made by the classification referee in February 2015. Unfortunately, the union was not successful in its arguments. It was a technical decision dealing, among other things, with interpretation of the Public Service Job Evaluation Plan and the role of benchmarks. We are continuing to review and analyze it in the context of that hearing process and outcome as we want to put forward the best case for our upcoming benchmark hearings.

We are in the process of scheduling a further meeting with the Focus Groups to go over the draft rationales, and will keep you posted about the status.

In solidarity,
Dean Purdy, BCGEU vice president
Component 1 Corrections & Sheriffs Services