T

he BCGEU is holding a rally in support of Master bargaining proposals that would generate new revenue for the province by assigning traffic safety duties to deputy sheriffs. In Alberta, deputy sheriffs in addition to RCMP officers perform highway traffic duties. The province saves money on road carnage and generates additional revenue from offenders. In Alberta, the government saved $127 million in the first year of the program and received $112 million in additional revenue ($56 million net).

The BCGEU is encouraging all sheriffs to attend the rally and show your support for the bargaining proposal. The government has told the Master Bargaining Committee it has a cooperative gains mandate and the union must identify areas where cost savings can fund wage increases. Government has firmly rejected the proposal for traffic duties and additional revenue for the province. The BCGEU proposed this work would be performed by a separate unit of deputy sheriffs and not by those involved in court security.

The rally is taking place over the lunch hour in downtown Vancouver close to the courthouse locations of our members. Some of our deputy sheriff members have been told they should not attend the rally in uniform.

The Employer cannot tell you not to attend a rally and cannot tell you what you can wear on your unpaid lunch break. It is your own time and you retain all of the rights of a private citizen and your rights as a union member and your rights under the Labour Code, the Collective Agreement and the Canadian Charter to express your views and opinions and exercise freedom of association.

Come out and show solidarity with the Bargaining Committee and BCGEU president Darryl Walker.

Stand up for your right to a fair and reasonable wage increase and a renewed Collective Agreement. Stand up for proposals that will generate savings and new provincial revenue for the benefit of all citizens.

Download the rally notice PDF here.

Click here for the rally notice link.