NEWS & UPDATES
February 04, 2016
Join us on February 14 for the 26th annual Women's Memorial March – "Their Sp...
The annual February 14 Women's Memorial March was started in 1991 in Vancouver in response to the murder of a Coast Salish woman on Powell Street. Since then, marches have been held every year to honour the lives of missing and murdered women. Please join BCGEU president Stephanie Smith and fellow activists in supporting this women-organized, women-led event, to come together to grieve, to rem...
February 04, 2016
Starlight Casino update on poker arbitration
Here is an update of our progress in the Starlight Casino Award regarding the elimination of Poker.
Contrary to certain rumours being promulgated on the casino work floor, the Employer has not appealed Arbitrator Brown’s January 8, 2016 decision. An appeal must be filed within fifteen (15) days of an award. Whoever is spreading these rumours is mistaken.
In order to pursue the redress sough...
February 04, 2016
Local 1704 notice for executive nominations
COMPONENT: General Services
LOCAL: 1704
DATE: Monday, March 7, 2016
TIME: 6:00 p.m.
PLACE: BCGEU Fraser Valley Office
8555 198A St., Langley TWP (put in Langley TWP if using a map search)
AGENDA
Bargaining Updates
Steward/OSH Briefing
Staff Report
Labour Council Position
Nominations, Elections and Installation of Officers
Worksite Visits
Open Discussion
Ple...
February 04, 2016
BCGEU signs First Nations Solidarity Accord opposing oil sands pipelines and...
First Nations/union alliance emerges in wake of Supreme Court ruling requiring BC government to make a decision on Northern Gateway pipeline and to consult with First Nations.
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, COAST SALISH TERRITORY – (February 4, 2016) – The BC Government and Service Employees’ Union (BCGEU) signed a Solidarity Accord today, affirming its support of the Save the Fraser Declaratio...
February 04, 2016
BCGEU wishes members a happy Lunar New Year
The Lunar New Year starts on Monday February 8. This marks the start of a fifteen day festival and holiday. Celebrations have started around the world as we say goodbye to the Year of the Sheep and hello to the year of the Fire Monkey.
"We wish our members and their families a very happy and prosperous Lunar New Year," says BCGEU President Stephanie Smith. "We wish you luck, good health and g...
February 04, 2016
BCGEU celebrates the 20th anniversary of Black History Month in Canada
The BCGEU joins Canadians to celebrate Black History Month this February, which marks the event’s 20th anniversary. Our federal government officially recognized Black History Month after passing a parliamentary motion introduced by the Honourable Jean Augustine, the first black Canadian woman elected to Parliament.
"This February, take some time to learn about black Canadians’ tremendous cont...
February 04, 2016
Local 1703 enhanced stewards training
You are invited to attend Local 1703's enhanced steward training on February 24th, 2016 at the Lower Mainland Area Office.
Date: February 24th, 2016
Time: 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
Place: BCGEU Lower Mainland Area Office, Suite 130 – 2920 Virtual Way, Vancouver – Auditorium
This is a one day course that will cover issues such as Accommodations, Step 1 Meetings, Common Grievances, Dealing with Di...
February 03, 2016
Submission to the Special Committee to Review the Freedom of Information and ...
On January 27 our union presented a submission to the Special Committee to Review the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA).
The foundation of public trust in government is transparency, accountability, and a consistently demonstrated respect for the rights of individuals. FIPPA is designed to protect and uphold these values; yet, public practice in information managemen...
February 01, 2016
Vancity ratification of tentative agreement
A tentative agreement was reached on January 28, 2016. Attached to this bulletin is a Comprehensive Report that includes all the changes agreed to in negotiations.
The new collective agreement will be for a 4 year term with wage increases January 1st of each year. The language changes address the issues raised by the members. Your Bargaining Committee is recommending you vote in favour of the ...
January 29, 2016
To all Direct Government OHS Committee Members in the Victoria Area
"Incident Investigations" will be held on Wednesday, March 2 and "Ergonomics" will be held on Thursday, March 3. The Incident Investigations course will be held at the BCGEU area office, 2994 Douglas St., Victoria and the Ergonomics course will be held at Harbour Towers, 345 Quebec St, Victoria.
In the Incident Investigations course you will learn:
The legislative requirements for conductin...
January 29, 2016
Labour Code OHS Committee Members in the Langley Area
"Ergonomics" will be held on Tuesday, March 1 and "Incident Investigations" will be held on Thursday, March 3. These courses will be held at the BCGEU office at 8555 198A Street, Langley from 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
In the Ergonomics you will learn:
Requirements of the ergonomics regulation
How to identify ergonomic hazards, to assess the risk factors of tasks and to recommend appropriate soluti...
January 28, 2016
Vancity tentative agreement reached
Your Bargaining Committee met with the Employer to negotiate a renewal collective agreement. The committee is pleased to advise you that a tentative agreement was reached on January 28, 2016.
All employees will receive wage increases of:
2% general wage increase effective January 1, 2016
2% general wage increase effective January 1, 2017
2% general wage increase effective January 1, 2018
...
January 28, 2016
River Rock Casino Resort notice of election of Bargaining Committee (6 positi...
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR BARGAINING COMMITTEE
Nominations are now open for the following positions:
Chairperson of the Bargaining Committee, one position
Any BCGEU member can be nominated from any department. If more than one candidate is nominated, there will be a ballot and the entire membership will vote for one candidate. The candidate with the most votes will be elected.
Bargaining ...
January 28, 2016
National Survey on Seniors' Care - Work/Life Balance
The issue of elder care received next to no attention during the 2015 federal election. This is alarming as the fastest growing segment of the Canadian population is older Canadians (people 85 and older), most of whom are women. In 1900, the average life expectancy was 47 years of age; by 2000 that had increased to 76 years of age. The end result is the expansion of our population of older adul...
January 28, 2016
BCGEU Signs on to Petition to Free Chinese Labour Activists
On Thursday, January 28, the BCGEU signed on to a petition calling for the release of Chinese labour activists who were detained by the government.
Advanced by the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions, the petition has now been signed by over 175 organizations.
Read more about the petition and sign as an individual
China Kidnappings in Spotlight as Canada Mulls New Trade Deal - The Tyee...
January 28, 2016
Liberal government right to repeal anti-union Bill-377
The BCGEU is welcoming news the federal government has introduced legislation to reverse anti-union laws introduced by the Stephen Harper government last year. In the House of Commons today, the Liberals introduced legislation that would reverse changes to laws under Bill-377, which placed vastly expanded requirements on unions to disclose how members’ dues are spent.
“This legislation had not...
January 25, 2016
BCGEU’s Occupational Health and Safety Networkers
The creation of the OHS Networking team comes from the BCGEU 2014 convention. Convention delegates were loud and clear with their OHS resolutions: they wanted an expansion in the OHS department. They wanted BCGEU OHS activists to play a larger role, and to see the creation of an OHS Task Force. The OHS Task Force, released their report in April of 2015, with strong and practical recommendations...
January 22, 2016
Starlight Casino – Gateway Casinos collective bargaining update
The Bargaining Committee has met approximately 18 days with the Employer since November. We have made some progress and are confident that a new collective agreement will be reached. We are currently bargaining monetary issues.
We appreciate your patience while we work through this process.
In solidarity
Chris Mudry, Bargaining Committee Member
Michael Vyner, Bargaining Committee Member
Meg...
January 22, 2016
UNITE HERE! Local 40 Hilton Metrotown and Coast Hotels Bargaining Update
A message from Unite Here! Local 40
Thanks to all of you from BCFED Staff, CUPE, FPSE, GEU, HEU, HSA, MoveUp, TWU/SWA and Unifor who came out to support our members at the Hilton Metrotown on January 20. Management took notice of your support.
Many of you have asked for updates on the status of bargaining at both the Hilton and with Coast Hotels in Kelowna, Victoria, Nanaimo and Prince George...
January 21, 2016
BC Place shop stewards for 2015-2018
The following are your stewards:
Stefan Babchuk
Edward Oleksiuk
Osmond Bramble
Justin Rai
Bruce Cornell
Victor Rostalski
Mark Hillicke
Kevin Singh
Joel Knutsen
James Swank
David MacDonald
Please feel free to contact them with any union-related questions or concerns that you have.
Download PDF of notice here.
UNIFOR467/MoveUP
January 21, 2016
Cascades Casino (formerly Lake City Casino) steward list
Mike Schmidt, Security
Judy Kowalyshyn, Cash Cage
Michael Janzen, Cash Cage
John Webber, Dealer
Mike Grant, Guest Services
Leslie (Jill) Whitson, Food and Beverage
Please feel free to contact them with any Union-related questions or concerns that you have.
Download PDF of notice here.
UNIFOR467/MoveUP
January 21, 2016
Statement on First Nations Supreme Court ruling
The BCGEU enthusiastically supports the January 13 B.C. Supreme Court decision in favour of the Gitga’at First Nation and Coastal First Nations. This decision ruled that the B.C. government has completely failed in its duty to consult with First Nations on the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline project.
The court said it was not “reasonable or correct” for the province to sign over the enviro...
January 20, 2016
OHS Training in Kelowna Area
To all Labour Code OHS Committee Members in the Kelowna Area
"Joint OHS Committee Training" will be held on Wednesday, February 24 and "Incident Investigations" will be held on Thursday, February 25. These courses will be held at the BCGEU office at 1064 Borden Ave, Kelowna from 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
In the Joint OHS Committee Training course you will learn:
Worker OHS rights, including the re...
January 20, 2016
OHS Committee Training in Vancouver
To all Direct Government OHS Committee Members in the Lower Mainland
"Ergonomics" will be held on Tueday, February 16 and "Joint OHS Committee Course" will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb 23-24. These courses will be held at the BCGEU office at #130-2920 Virtual Way, Vancouver from 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
In the Ergonomics course you will learn:
Requirements of the ergonomics regulation
H...
January 20, 2016
Vancity Savings Credit Union Branch 9/Vancouver steward nomination
Nominations are now open for 1 position for a steward at your worksite and, will close February 18, 2016.
Stewards are the primary representatives of members and have an important role within the Union.
Some of the roles of a steward are:
Helping co-workers interpret and understand their collective agreement.
Supporting co-workers in meetings with management.
Listening to co-workers ab...
January 20, 2016
Vancity Savings Credit Union MSC/Visa Centre steward nominations
Nominations are now open for 4 positions for stewards at your worksite and, will close February 18, 2016.
Stewards are the primary representatives of members and have an important role within the Union.
Some of the roles of a steward are:
Helping co-workers interpret and understand their collective agreement.
Supporting co-workers in meetings with management.
Listening to co-workers ab...
BCGEU Headquarters is on the unceded and shared traditional territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skxwú7mesh (Squamish) & Səlí̓ lwətaʔ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples.