NEWS & UPDATES
October 17, 2018
British Columbia turns over a new leaf - BCGEU
Vancouver –
With cannabis prohibition finally over in Canada, British Columbia is bracing itself for a new era of economic potential.
“Legal, recreational cannabis has the potential to be a major driver of economic growth and direct monetary benefit to the province” noted BCGEU President Stephanie Smith. “Wise investments in the regulation, sale, and distribution of alcohol provide billions in ...
October 16, 2018
BCGEU members in employment assistance meet with minister - BCGEU
Six BCGEU members who work for the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction met with minister Shane Simpson late last week.
The members are from BCGEU Component 6 - Social, Information and Health and Component 12 – Administrative Services.
The meeting was organized by the union so that the minister could hear firsthand the issues facing workers on the front-lines in the hope they ca...
October 12, 2018
Provincial magazine – Autumn 2018 - BCGEU
The latest issue of The Provincial magazine is available for download. In this month's issue:
• Casino workers stand strong
• Violence at Forensics Hospital
• Protection from online harassment
• Sectoral Bargaining updates
• Referendum on proportional representation
• Ginger Goodwin memorial, and much more.
• Download PDF file of Provincial
UWU/MoveUP
October 11, 2018
BCGEU submission to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government S...
Every fall your union participates in the public consultation for the next provincial budget. The consultation is led by the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services—an all-party committee of the Legislative Assembly—and involves public hearings across the province as well as written, audio and video submissions and online surveys. The Committee reviews all input received fr...
October 10, 2018
Worksite Visits at JPW Road & Bridge Inc. - BCGEU
Members of your BCGEU component executive will be attending your worksites on the following dates to meet with members and answer any questions you may have.
October 23rd, 2018
Falkland – 5:30 a.m.
Cherryville – 5:30 a.m.
Chase – 3 p.m.
Tappen – 4 p.m.
October 24th, 2018
Scotch Creek – 4:30 a.m.
Malakwa – 5:30 a.m.
Armstrong – 4 p.m.
October 25th, 2018
Lumby – 5:30 a.m.
AGENDA
Succes...
October 10, 2018
Local 1007 Members at Argo Road Maintenance, Princeton - Worksite Visit - BCGEU
Members of your BCGEU component executive will visiting the Princeton yard on the following date to meet with members and answer any questions you may have.
Date: October 25, 2018
Time: 3 p.m.
Location: 331 Laurie Currie Way, Princeton
AGENDA
• Successorship
• Update on bid process
• Labour management committee roles
• Tripartite committee roles
• Other works...
October 10, 2018
UPDATED: Information For BCGEU Members At Gateway Casinos - BCGEU
On Friday, September 15 Gateway Casino filed an application in BC Supreme Court seeking an injunction that would have severely restricted picketing at the Penticton location. Gateway's application relied on video and other evidence that allegedly showed our members trespassing, delaying vehicles, and intimidating casino clients.
The Court heard the application on Monday and issued a ruling on ...
October 10, 2018
Bargaining/Labour Management Committee Election for JPW Road & Bridge Inc. - ...
The Bargaining/Labour Management Committee represents the members in regular meetings and discussions with the employer about ongoing workplace issues.
This is a call for nominations for election to the JPW Road & Bridge Bargaining/Labour Management Committee. We require the following positions to be filled:
Committee Member (3 positions)
Nominations shall be submitted on the attached for...
October 09, 2018
New resource guide to First Nations acknowledgements, protocol and terminolog...
There is a groundswell of change happening in Canada with respect to relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. The BCGEU has always strived to be a positive ally to Indigenous Peoples and as part of our ongoing work to put this commitment into action, I am pleased to provide you with a copy of the BCGEU guide to First Nations acknowledgement, protocol & terminology. D...
October 05, 2018
Labour Endorsed Candidates - BCGEU
Local government elections are your opportunity to influence decision-making in your community by electing mayors, councilors, regional district directors, school board trustees and other representatives who will take action on issues that matter for working people; issues like affordable housing, inclusive schools, and keeping services public. Polls will be open in every community across the p...
October 04, 2018
Sisters In Spirit Vigils - A movement for social change - BCGEU
October 4th is a day to honour the lives of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) and their families. The Native Women's Association of Canada invites all family members, Indigenous community members and allies to take some reflective time on October 4th to attend a vigil or a community event or take a moment of silence to honour our stolen sisters and to support all families ...
October 03, 2018
Casino workers say they cannot get by on Gateway wages - BCGEU
Striking workers speak out about need for family-supporting wages
(Thompson-Okanagan) As the strike at Gateway Casinos in the Thompson-Okanagan continues, BC Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU) members are opening up about why they are holding out for fair wages despite being on the picket line for over three months.
"Over the years I've struggled as a single mom to make ends meet,"...
October 02, 2018
President’s bulletin to members on the introduction of the Poverty Reduction ...
Since November 2017 it has been my honour to serve as a member of the Minister's Advisory Forum on Poverty Reduction-a diverse and dynamic group made up of 27 people from the non-profit sector, labour, business, academia, local government, health care, social services, First Nations and Indigenous communities and including people with lived experience of poverty.
The Forum was created to serve ...
September 28, 2018
Union challenging undemocratic ICBA referendum lawsuit - BCGEU
VANCOUVER - The BC Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU) was granted intervenor status with the right to call evidence by the B.C. Supreme Court Thursday in response to the petition brought forth by the Independent Contractors and Business Association (ICBA), the Canada West Construction Union and private citizen Kenneth Baerg. The petition challenges the provincial government's propo...
September 26, 2018
BCGEU applauds provincial government's decision to lower annual rent increase
The BCGEU is encouraged by the government's decision to lower annual rent increases by capping them to inflation. This was one of the recommendations outlined earlier this week by the BC Rental Housing Task Force.
"There is no solution to the housing affordability crisis that doesn't include rental affordability so we are very pleased with the government's decision to cap the maximum allowable ...
September 25, 2018
Improvements to front line services for seniors welcome, and long overdue. - ...
New Westminster – Today Health Minister Adrian Dix, and Premier John Horgan announced important new funding for seniors in British Columbia. The government is increasing the budget for staffing, retention, and training by $240 million dollars in the next three years, with $50 million in this calendar year.
BCGEU President Stephanie Smith reflected on today's announcement: "More money for staff...
September 24, 2018
Protrans CLA Steward Election Results - BCGEU
The most recent by-election for stewards in the CLA department has now closed. We are pleased to announce that Kate Coinner has joined the stewards for your worksite: Cindy Kwan Lana Charlebois Kirsten Campbell Amber Edwards Dave Barton Lana Vincent Vanessa Batres Shant Khachadur Paul La Rosa Kate Coinner Stephen Rayson Guy Crooks Kevin Doiron Thank you to all of you who have volunteered ...
September 24, 2018
BCGEU celebrates National Forest Week: Sept. 23-29, 2018 - BCGEU
Each year National Forest Week (NFW) is celebrated by individual citizens, governments and non-governmental organizations across Canada.
Established in 1920 as Forest Fire Prevention Week, there was no shortage of trees for industrial expansion – at a time the time when the main threat to forests was from forest fires, many caused by humans. In 1967 the name was changed to National Forest W...
September 20, 2018
CLC Winter School 2019
CLC Winter School 2019
Course listings and registration for the Canadian Labour Congress Winter School (January 13 to February 15, 2019) at Harrison Hot Springs is now available.
Active union members are encouraged to apply online. Applications will be forwarded to your Component executive to make their selections on who will attend the school.
Registration cut off is November 2nd for all cour...
September 14, 2018
All Members at Protrans Rally in Support of Janitorial Workers at Protrans -...
Date: September 14, 2018
To: All BCGEU Members at Protrans
Re: Rally in Support of Janitorial Workers at Protrans
When: Monday, September 17 from 3:45pm – 4:45pm
Where: Vancouver City Centre Station (Sidewalk at Granville and West
Georgia)
The BCGEU has learned that the GDI janitorial staff at Protrans, fellow union workers and memb...
September 13, 2018
Strike continues as Gateway Casinos refuse to release company financials - BCGEU
Union cites lack of transparency as reason for breakdown in talks
(Kelowna) Mediated talks between Gateway Casinos and over 675 members of the BC Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU) in the Thompson-Okanagan broke off last week after the company refused to release financial information to back up claims that they cannot afford the workers' wage proposals.
"Gateway says they can't af...
September 12, 2018
BCGEU demands WorkSafe investigate new assaults on Forensics hospital staff -...
BURNABY – The B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union reports that four staff members at Forensic Psychiatric Hospital in Coquitlam have been injured in another violent attack by a patient this week and the union is demanding that WorkSafeBC investigate security measures at the facility.
BCGEU members report that two health care workers (HCW) and two nurses were attacked by a patient on Se...
September 12, 2018
Area 01 Young Workers Committee - BCGEU
We are excited to introduce ourselves to you as your Area 01 Young Worker Committee.
Local 301 Amanda Nurse amanda_nurse@hotmail.com
Local 401 Sarah Ball sarahmichelleball@hotmail.com
Local 501 Rostislav Artiushenkov rostokcan@gmail.com
Local 601 Alexandra Richardson alex_richardson12@hotmail.com
Local 801 Samantha Brumwell samma12@live...
September 06, 2018
Union representing correctional officers calls for action after alleged assau...
The BC Government and Service Employees (BCGEU) union is asking for a change to better protect correctional officers and sheriffs who are escorting prisoners from correctional centers. The call comes after the alleged assault of a correctional officer at Vancouver General Hospital on Aug. 28. Read more... UWU/MoveUP
September 05, 2018
Local 1007 Argo Worksite Visit - BCGEU
DATE: September 17, 2018
TIME: 6:00 am
PLACE: Princeton YardAGENDA
Local Chair, Mike Turley and Staff Representative, Cathy Seagris, will be visiting your worksite on September 17, 2018.
PLEASE MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO ATTEND
Download PDF of notice here.
UWU/MoveUP
September 05, 2018
Union calls for gov't intervention after spike in staff assaults at Coquitlam...
Two unions that represent workers at Coquitlam's Forensic Psychiatric Hospital are sounding the alarm over a recent spike in assaults, blaming management for a "systemic failure" to respond. The B.C. Government and Service Employees Union said that there have been 21 staff injuries committed by patients to its members alone, between May and August of this year. Read more... UWU/MoveUP
August 31, 2018
An Open Letter from BCGEU President Stephanie Smith on Labour Day - BCGEU
As a mother and an early childhood educator l know that for many British Columbians Labour Day represents the end of summer and the beginning of school. But as a union activist the first Monday in September represents much more. Labour Day is an opportunity to celebrate working people: the ones who built our province; the ones who take care of our families and our communities every day; and the...
August 30, 2018
Members at HMC/Emcon Services Inc. - Nominations for Bargaining Committee Alt...
Nominations for one alternate bargaining committee member for your maintenance contract area are now open. Those elected as an alternate to the bargaining committee also become alternate members to the labour/management committee.
A nomination form is attached to this bulletin and can also be picked up at your area office. Nominations close on the 29th of September. Nominations can be dropped o...
August 29, 2018
Assaults at Forensic Psychiatric Hospital highlight failure to provide a safe...
BURNABY – Recent serious assaults on staff by patients at the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital (FPH) in Coquitlam highlight a disturbing trend that endangers the lives of workers at the facility, the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union said today.
"There have been 21 injuries to staff since May of this year, by patients who are at the hospital for committing serious crimes," said BCGEU tr...
August 27, 2018
Members at Protrans - Memorandum Of Agreement - BCGEU
Guideway Technician Electrical & Guideway Technician Electrical Team Lead Classifications
The Union is pleased to announce that we have come to an agreement with the Employer on the rate of pay for two new classifications – Guideway Technician Electrical and Guideway Technician Electrical Team Lead. Due to the requirement of these new classifications to have a Red Seal Electrical Trades Cer...
August 27, 2018
BCGEU community social services members ratify collective agreement - BCGEU
The BC Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU) announced today that its members in the Community Social Services (CSS) sector voted by 85.7 per cent in favour to ratify a new collective agreement. The three-year contract provides significant compensation increases for workers while meeting the government mandate of improving the services British Columbians count on. CSS consists of thre...