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COMPONENT 17 - GENERAL SERVICES

Component 17 includes members in a variety of sectors in B.C.

They are employed by casinos, hotels, banks, credit unions, B.C. Place, B.C. Housing Management, some Royal Canadian Legion operations, B.C. Milk Marketing Board, Compass Foods, regional districts plus private businesses.

NEWS & UPDATES

February 26, 2025

Media Release: BCGEU president to visit LifeLabs picket line in Victoria - BC...

MEDIA ADVISORYFebruary 26, 2025 BCGEU president to visit LifeLabs picket line in VictoriaBURNABY, B.C. (Coast Salish Territories) – Members of the B.C. General Employees' Union (BCGEU) working at LifeLabs have begun their second week of rotating picket lines at patient service centres throughout the province.Union spokespersons, including BCGEU president Paul Finch, will be availabl...

February 22, 2025

Media Release: BCGEU reiterates call for CLBC’s role to return to direct gove...

MEDIA RELEASE February 21, 2025 BCGEU reiterates call for CLBC’s role to return to direct governmentRejects assertions that doing so would be a move backwards for individuals with disabilities Burnaby (Coast Salish Territories) – Following recent concerns that bringing Community Living BC’s (CLBC) work back into direct government would move the province backwards, BCGEU members working at the a...

February 21, 2025

BCGEU Equity Practicum Program - Field Services - Applications Due March 12th...

Expression of InterestEquity Practicum Program(3 Temporary Postings) Field ServicesFebruary 2025  The B.C. General Employees' Union (BCGEU) and the B.C. Union Workers Union (UWU) are committed to increasing the diversity of servicing staff employed by the BCGEU. Three (3) 12-month practicum positions are now available, specifically for BCGEU members who identify as Indigenous, Black, or People ...

February 19, 2025

MEDIA ADVISORY: LifeLabs picket line in Vancouver - BC General Employees' Uni...

MEDIA ADVISORYFebruary 19, 2025LifeLabs picket line in VancouverBURNABY, B.C. (Coast Salish Territories) - Members of the B.C. General Employees' Union (BCGEU) working at LifeLabs begin picket lines at various locations throughout the province on Thursday, February 20, 2025. Picket lines will subsequently rotate according to our essential services order.Union spokespersons will be available at ...

February 19, 2025

MEDIA ADVISORY: LifeLabs picket line in Victoria - BC General Employees' Unio...

MEDIA ADVISORYFebruary 19, 2025LifeLabs picket line in VictoriaBURNABY, B.C. (Coast Salish Territories) – Members of the B.C. General Employees' Union (BCGEU) working at LifeLabs begin picket lines at various locations throughout the province on Thursday, February 20, 2025. Picket lines will subsequently rotate according to our essential services order. BCGEU members will be picketing at the Ro...

February 18, 2025

Media Release: BCGEU reacts to BC throne speech 2025 - BC General Employees'...

MEDIA RELEASEFebruary 18, 2025BCGEU reacts to BC throne speech 2025 In response to the 2025 B.C. throne speech, B.C. General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) president Paul Finch released the following statement:  A strong public sector is critical to a thriving economy. The BCGEU is encouraged by government’s commitment to strengthen B.C.’s economy by putting people first – and we will hold them to th...

February 18, 2025

Elections for Local 1701 Executive - BC General Employees' Union (BCGEU)

Thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination form for an executive position on Local 1701.   The following positions have been acclaimed: Chairperson: Ryan Weldon Member at Large: Berek Christian The remaining Local Executive Positions are still vacant:  First Vice Chairperson Second Vice Chairperson Recording Secretary Member at Large - Indigenous Worker Member at Large - Equity Worker Me...

February 18, 2025

Check out the new Bargaining 101 video - BC General Employees' Union (BCGEU)

Did you know that more than one third of the 34,000 members of the public service have worked for the public service for less than five years? That means that up to one third of our bargaining unit may have never gone through a round of bargaining before. To ensure that all members know and understand the bargaining process, your bargaining committee encourages you to check out this new video: ...

February 18, 2025

Media Advisory - BCGEU president available for comment on B.C. throne speech ...

Media advisory – February 18, 2025 BCGEU president available for comment on B.C. throne speech B.C. General Employees' Union (BCGEU) president Paul Finch will be attending the throne speech at the B.C. legislature today, and will be available for interviews following. The BCGEU is urging government to put workers first as it lays out its plan to deal with the evolving economic situation facing ...

February 14, 2025

All BCGEU Members at BC Housing Management Commission – Maintenance/Service (...

At the close of nominations, the following two members were nominated for one position of Bargaining Committee Chair and so an election is required:   Markiel Simpson - link to Markiel's bio Doreen Aquino - link to Doreen's bio   The following members were nominated for the two positions of Bargaining Committee Member for BCHMC – Maintenance/Service Division:   Ricky Prasad Doreen Aquino - link...

February 14, 2025

All BCGEU Members at BC Housing Management Commission –Administrative/Clerica...

At the close of nominations, the following three members were nominated for one position of Bargaining Committee Chair and so an election is required:   Lisa Gerstendorfer - link to Lisa's bio Geoff Stedman - link to Geoff's bio Dan Wood - link to Dan's bio   The following members were nominated for the three positions of Bargaining Committee Member:   Geoff Stedman - link to Geoff's bio Dan Wo...

February 13, 2025

MEDIA RELEASE: LifeLabs workers issue 72-hour strike notice - BC General Empl...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 13, 2025 LifeLabs workers issue 72-hour strike notice BURNABY, B.C. (Coast Salish Territories) – Members of the B.C. General Employees' Union (BCGEU) working at LifeLabs have issued 72-hours' strike notice to their employer. This action follows months of negotiations and LifeLabs' refusal to bring wages and benefits in line with the cost of living, or to address p...

February 13, 2025

MEDIA RELEASE: BCGEU president available for comment re: public service hirin...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFebruary 13, 2025BCGEU president available for comment, public service hiring freezeBurnaby (Coast Salish Territories) - Today the provincial government of British Columbia announced it will freeze hiring any new public service employees due to the looming threat of U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods.Paul Finch, president of the BCGEU, is available for media interviews via phon...

February 11, 2025

In the wake of coroner’s inquest and scandal, BCGEU urges B.C. government to ...

MEDIA RELEASEFebruary 11, 2025In the wake of coroner’s inquest and scandal, BCGEU urges B.C. government to return CLBC back to direct government  The BCGEU (BC General Employees’ Union) is calling on the provincial government to bring Community Living BC (CLBC) back into direct government. The recent coroner’s inquest and conflict of interest concerns at the agency demonstrates that the CLBC’s ...

February 10, 2025

Media Statement - BCGEU unsurprised by RCY report findings, calls for workloa...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 10, 2025  BCGEU unsurprised by RCY report findings, calls for workload management tool   Burnaby, B.C. (Coast Salish Territories) - Members of the BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) are unsurprised by the report issued February 6, 2025, by British Columbia’s Representative for Children and Youth, and call for the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD)...

February 07, 2025

Reminder: Opening Bargaining Committee Nominations - BC General Employees' Un...

Nominations are now open for the position of two (2) bargaining committee members. Your current collective agreement expires on February 17, 2025. As such, the Union is now preparing for the next round of collective bargaining, which will begin once a bargaining committee has been elected. We need your help and participation to elect two (2) members from the bargaining unit to the position as c...

February 06, 2025

Are you one of our new member educators? - BC General Employees' Union (BCGEU)

BCGEU is seeking members who are interested in becoming member educators.Member educators play a vital role in delivering our worker-centered union education programs and facilitating meaningful and inclusive learning experiences for our members. If you are interested in being considered for the role, please complete this Expression of Interest form by 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 17.Member educators co...

February 03, 2025

All BCGEU Members at BC Housing Management Commission – Maintenance/Service (...

Your current collective agreement expires on 31 Mar 2025. A new bargaining committee is therefore required to represent members for negotiating the renewal collective agreement.   Call for Nominations   Nominations are now open for the bargaining committee to negotiate a renewal collective agreement with your Employer. Members elect a bargaining committee to work with the Union Staff Negotiator...

January 29, 2025

Public service delegates set bargaining priorities at bargaining conference -...

Over 40 delegates from communities across the province, representing the 33,000 BCGEU members who work for the BC Public Service, gathered in Burnaby last Friday to discuss priorities and strategies for bargaining our next collective agreement early next year.   BCGEU president and Public Service Bargaining committee chair Paul Finch welcomed delegates to the Public Service Bargaining Conferenc...

January 28, 2025

Alternative Education Sites Closure - BC General Employees' Union (BCGEU)

The BC General Employees' Union (BCGEU) supports the coalition of former and current students who are opposing the closure of Surrey Learning Centres, also known as alternative education sites. Learning centres provide a safe and supportive environment where students can meet their educational needs. These centres focus on building trust and creating a comfortable space, which is essential for...

January 27, 2025

Urgent Action Needed to Protect CVSE Worker’s Safety - BC General Employees' ...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJanuary 27, 2025 Urgent Action Needed to Protect CVSE Worker’s Safety Burnaby, B.C. (Coast Salish Territories) - Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement (CVSE) officers are concerned that their safety is at a tipping point. These workers – members of the BC General Employees' Union (BCGEU) – ensure the safety of our roads and transportation systems by enforcing commercial...

January 27, 2025

Holocaust Remembrance Day - BC General Employees' Union (BCGEU)

Today, we join together as a union to commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day. This day stands as reminder of one of history's darkest chapters, when six million Jewish men, women, and children, along with millions of other innocent victims targeted because of their religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, nationality or political ideology, were systematically murdered during the Holo...

January 24, 2025

Area 01 - Workshop on Labour History - BC General Employees' Union (BCGEU)

Greetings, Have you ever wondered about how we achieved the gains we have today? Things like the minimum wage, paid vacation and Occupational Health & Safety were won over generations of struggle by trade unionists, and the fight continues today. If this history piques your interest at all, please read on!The Area 01 Cross Component Committee would like to invite you to an interactive works...

January 23, 2025

Canadian Diabetes Association - Opening Bargaining Committee Nominations - BC...

Nominations are now open for the position of two (2) bargaining committee members.Your current collective agreement expires on February 17, 2025. As such, the Union is now preparing for the next round of collective bargaining, which will begin once a bargaining committee has been elected. We need your help and participation to elect two (2) members from the bargaining unit to the position as co...