NEWS & UPDATES
August 03, 2017
Strike Vote/Employer Memo for River Rock Members - BCGEU
Yesterday, hundreds of you came out to vote "YES" at the strike ballot box. Your Employer also sent out a memo to try to crush your spirit in your fight for a fair collective agreement. You can expect to see a lot more of that as the fight heats up. Here is what's happening. The Union has suspended bargaining to take a strike vote. The lack of progress at the bargaining table on key issues t...
August 02, 2017
The BCGEU welcomes the government’s decision to review the economic viability...
The BCGEU welcomes today's announcement that the provincial government has asked the BC Utilities Commission to review the $8.8 billion Site C dam. Long overdue, the commission finally has the opportunity to provide a fair and transparent assessment of the merits of the project. British Columbians deserve nothing less. BCUC's due diligence will clarify the choices that are available now that c...
August 02, 2017
Williams Lake Area Office Re-Opens Today - BCGEU
The Williams Lake Area Office re-opens today, August 2, 2017. Thank you for your patience, and special thanks to the volunteers in the area who assisted residents during the wildfires evacuation, as well as the recent return home of residents.
Please note that with the re-opening of the office, calls will no longer be re-directed to Prince George. However, although the evacuation order is lifte...
August 01, 2017
Trial Shift Selection/ Table Games at River Rock Casino Resort - BCGEU
With everyone's attention focused on this week's River Rock Strike Vote, we thought it best to update you on a recent development that has been brought to the Union's attention. There is a lot happening for our members at River Rock these days, so we strongly advise all of you to keep checking in for updates from your Union.
Trial Shift Selection/Table Games: Your Employer intends to proceed w...
August 01, 2017
The BCGEU granted standing at the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered ...
Good news from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG). The BCGEU has been granted standing in the MMIWG allowing it to make formal written and oral submissions to the public inquiry.
The letter received states:
On behalf of the Commissioners, the Application for Standing submitted by BC Government and Service Employees' Union has been granted, for gre...
July 31, 2017
Read The Summer 2017 Issue Of The Steward - BCGEU
In this issue, we look at a variety of topics to keep you up-to-date on issues that could affect your workplace, and the members you represent. Topics include bullying and harassment, planning ahead in case of permanent disability, stories of grievances and their outcomes from across Canada, and tips from an advocacy department co-op student for assisting members as a steward. We hope you'll f...
July 28, 2017
Notice of Poll - Strike Vote for River Rock members - BCGEU
NOTICE OF POLL
S T R I K E V O T E
A Strike Vote will be conducted on:
DATE: Wednesday, August 2nd thru Sunday, August 6th, 2017TIME: 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM every dayLOCATION: President Ballroom, Radisson Hotel, 8181 Cambie Rd, Richmond, BC
For the employees of: Great Canadian Casinos Inc. (d.b.a. River Rock Casino Resort)
In the bargaining un...
July 28, 2017
Provincial magazine - Summer 2017 - BCGEU
Download the PDF file of the 2017 Summer issue of The Provincial magazine. In this issue:
New Leadership - Convention 2017 reports
BCGEU Environment Policy
2017 audited financial statements
BCGEU Community
Remembering John Shields
and more...
July 28, 2017
TIME FOR STRIKE VOTE River Rock Casino members - BCGEU
The day that so many of you have been waiting for has finally arrived. We need to take a strike vote, and potentially go on strike to get a contract that provides real changes and wage increases to your workplace. This took longer than any of us expected. This is the first time we have been in a legal position to strike, now having discussed all the issues. If we'd taken a strike vote earlier, ...
July 25, 2017
Killer found after escaping custody at Forensic Psychiatric Hospital - BCGEU
An hour after warning the public that a killer was missing from B.C.'s Forensic Psychiatric Hospital, the 54-year-old man is back in police custody.
Mounties issued a warning Monday afternoon, three days after Terrance Scott Giesbrecht left the facility at 70 Colony Farm Rd. in Coquitlam. Giesbrecht was wanted on a Canada-wide warrant, the RCMP said.
Read more...
July 24, 2017
Bargaining Update for BCGEU Members at First Credit Union ONLY - BCGEU
Your bargaining committee worked through the late spring preparing for bargaining directly with First Credit Union. The members of your bargaining committee are shown below. The Employer is represented by Sandra McDowell, VP Communications & Culture, First Group of Companies; Angie Poulsen, Human Resources Manager, First Group of Companies; and First Credit Union bargaining spokesperson, Ga...
July 24, 2017
Bargaining Update for at First Insurance and Westview Agencies ONLY - BCGEU
Those BCGEU members working at First Insurance and those working at Westview Agencies are invited to a discussion with BCGEU staff representative Ernie Gorrie on Tuesday August 1, 2017.
The purpose of the meeting is to advise members of the strategy that the Union has taken so far with regard to the timing of bargaining for the three bargaining units associated with the First Group of Companies...
July 24, 2017
‘Violent’ attack on Colony Farm psychiatric hospital staffer prompts call for...
The BC Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU) is calling on the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) to protect workers after a staff member was allegedly assaulted by a patient at a high-security Coquitlam psychiatric hospital. Read more...
July 21, 2017
River Rock Casino - Monetary Proposals/Hundreds Attend Strike Education Works...
On July 6, 2017, your Employer responded to the Union's monetary proposals that had been tabled weeks earlier. July 6th turned out to be a very disappointing day. Instead of coming to the table with a serious offer to improve wages and benefits, the Employer presented a package that offered few improvements and actual ROLLBACKS! Talk about being completely unacceptable!! When the parties resume...
July 21, 2017
Call for Nominations for Bargaining Committee - Lake City Casino Members - B...
With summer now in high gear, and your collective agreement soon to expire, it's time for our members working at Lake City Casinos in Penticton, Vernon, Kelowna and Kamloops to nominate candidates to become your new BCGEU bargaining committee.
There are four spots available, and each casino will be represented by one member. The committee will be made up of a Chairperson and three Bargaining Co...
July 20, 2017
BCGEU, NUPGE pledge $100,000 donation to B.C. wildfire relief - BCGEU
The B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU) announced today that it has joined with its national affiliate, the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) to pledge a $100,000 donation to the Red Cross to help with wildfire relief efforts in British Columbia.
"We are pleased to contribute to the relief effort for B.C. residents affected by wildfires," says BCGEU presid...
July 18, 2017
BCGEU looking forward to working in the spirit of collaboration with new Premier
VICTORIA –
As a new government is sworn in today at the British Columbia Legislature, it marks a new era of leadership for the people of British Columbia. In marking the occasion, President Stephanie Smith noted that "We are incredibly excited by what the future will hold for Premier John Horgan, and a new government forged in the spirit of collaboration."
Under the leadership of Premier Hor...
July 13, 2017
BCGEU Recognizes the Unsung Superstars Behind the Wildfire Response - BCGEU
Over the past week, hundreds of wildfire fighters have been fighting over 200 wildfires across the province, and experts fear more wildfires are on their way.
While firefighters, RCMP and paramedics are the emergency response units we see on the highways and on television every day, there are hundreds other public servants who are making this response possible.
These are the workers doing admin...
July 11, 2017
The BCGEU Stands in Solidarity with Pacific Blue Cross Workers Locked Out of ...
The B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU), representing over 73,000 workers across B.C., will stand in solidarity with the workers locked out of their jobs by Pacific Blue Cross (PBC) in Vancouver. On June 30th, PBC announced to its workers they would be prevented from returning to work if they continued a job action aimed at securing a fair deal for workers. During the latest ...
July 10, 2017
BCGEU President Extends Support to Communities Affected by Wildfires and Than...
On behalf of 73,000 BCGEU members, I would like to extend our support and solidarity to the communities affected by wildfires burning through much of British Columbia this week.
With over 200 wildfires starting over the weekend, hundreds of B.C. families spent their weekend wondering whether their homes would be standing by Monday.
As one of B.C.'s largest unions, we know that hundreds of our m...
July 10, 2017
Closure of REACH Daycare a significant loss for the community - BCGEU
REACH Daycare and Young Parent Centre in Langford will close at the end of September representing a tremendous loss of community for families who rely on the centre. Due in part to lack of provincial funding, this closure will leave some young parents without the support they need to complete their education, creating a gap in valuable social services. REACH Daycare provides early learning and ...
July 10, 2017
Williams Lake Area Office Temporary Closure - BCGEU
There is a temporary closure of the Williams Lake Area Office (Area 06) due to the fire conditions in the area. All calls to the office have been re-routed to the Prince George Area Office. We will update you once we have more information.
July 07, 2017
EMPLOYER’S MONETARY COUNTER/TRIAL CASINO SHIFT PICKS - River Rock Members - B...
Collective agreement negotiations resumed with your Employer on July 5th and 6th. It was an intense round of talks that saw the parties agree in good faith to soon begin a trial shift selection process, and on Thursday, a day of disappointment when the Employer finally responded to the Union's monetary proposals. On a positive note, in the next few weeks, members working in the table games dep...
July 05, 2017
Prince George Pride Parade - July 8, 2017 - BCGEU
Pride Season is here again in Prince George!
We want to encourage everyone to join in the fun! This year is expected to be the biggest yet!
Date: July 8, 2017
Start: 11:00 am
Where: Parade begins at the Veterans Plaza at 100 Patricia Blvd
If you would like to join the BCGEU in the parade we will be meeting at 9:30 am behind City Hall, look for the BCGEU flags.
If you need more information, pl...
July 05, 2017
Victoria Pride Parade - July 9, 2017 - BCGEU
Pride Season is here again in Victoria!
We want to encourage everyone to join in the fun! This year is expected to be the biggest yet!
Date: July 9, 2017
Start: 11:00 am
Where: Parade begins at Pandora and Government
If you would like to join the BCGEU in the parade we will be meeting between 8:30 am and 10:00 am at the corner of Pandora and Government, look for the BCGEU flag.
If you need mo...
July 05, 2017
More violence at Forensic Psychiatric Hospital as BCGEU calls on PHSA board o...
Another staff member at Forensic Psychiatric Hospital (FPH) in Coquitlam, operated by the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA), has been assaulted after being asked to escort a patient exhibiting aggressive behaviour to a seclusion room. Staff members are not provided with protective gear at FPH.
"The ongoing violence at FPH is due to an imbalance created by bringing dangerous individua...
BCGEU Headquarters is on the unceded and shared traditional territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skxwú7mesh (Squamish) & Səlí̓ lwətaʔ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples.