NEWS & UPDATES
December 20, 2017
BCGEU members land $20 million contract to refit B.C. ferry - BCGEU
BC Government & Service Employees' Union workers employed at Esquimalt Drydock Company will begin work on a B.C. Ferries contract worth $20 million to refit the Northern Sea Wolf. The 17-year-old vessel will accommodate approximately 3,500 passengers and 1,200 vehicles each year on a route between Port Hardy and Bella Coola.
Members at Esquimalt Drydock have extensive experience in ship rep...
December 19, 2017
Thanking and Recognizing the Public Servants who Keep our Communities Safe ...
This year's fire season is far behind us and while recent winter storms have made many in the province forget about this summer's devastation, many communities are still working to rebuild what was lost in the fire.
As we see the devastation that fires are currently causing across California and as we look back at the lessons learned over the summer, the BCGEU would like to thank and recognize...
December 18, 2017
Local 101 Nominations for Local Executive - BCGEU
Nominations are now open for the following positions on the Local Executive:
Local Chairperson
1st Vice Chairperson
2nd Vice Chairperson
Recording Secretary
Member at Large, Youth Custody
Member at Large, Sheriff's
Member at Large, VIRCC
Member at Large, Open
Women's Representative
The term is for three years. Information on the responsibilities and activities of each office is available from...
December 15, 2017
BCGEU calls for reinvestment in seniors’ services as Seniors Advocate release...
On Thursday, December 14, 2017, the B.C. Seniors Advocate released the annual Monitoring Seniors' Services report. Their findings present further evidence that the B.C. government has to reverse the policies of austerity implemented under the BC Liberals. B.C.'s seniors need significant reinvestment in community services and affordable housing to undo the resulting increase in poverty now faced...
December 15, 2017
Compliance and Enforcement in B.C. Forests - BCGEU
With the B.C. Government's review of professional reliance across many industries underway, the BCGEU has released a short paper about compliance and enforcement in B.C.’s forests. Check it out below and be sure to share it with your networks.
December 11, 2017
BC Human Rights Commission - BCGEU
Today the report, A Human Rights Commission for the 21st Century: British Columbians talk about Human Rights was released detailing 25 recommendations to government as they re-establish the BC Human Rights Commission (dismantled in 2002 by the previous Liberal government).
The report recommends to B.C.'s Attorney General that the new commission be built on four important pillars in order to cre...
December 11, 2017
BCGEU disappointed by decision to complete Site C dam, urges government to em...
The BCGEU is disappointed by the provincial government's decision today to complete the Site C dam despite findings by the BC Utilities Commission that question the economic viability of the project.
In 2015 the union took a position against the construction of the dam citing economic and environmental concerns as well infringement on First Nations' rights. This decision demonstrates the work s...
December 11, 2017
BC Corrections report sheds light on good, bad and ugly at Okanagan Correctio...
Despite the latest technology and surveillance, violence and contraband will always find their way inside a prison. And the correctional centre in Oliver is no exception. Read more...
December 11, 2017
Data shows violence, contraband in Oliver prison - BCGEU
Despite the latest technology and surveillance, violence and contraband will always find their way inside a prison. And the correctional centre in Oliver is no exception. Read more...
December 07, 2017
BCGEU remembers Leonard George - BCGEU
It is with tremendous sadness to learn of the passing of Tsleil-Waututh leader, Leonard George.
Leonard, served as Chief of the Tsleil-Waututh nation, was an iconic leader and teacher to thousands of people across British Columbia. In his special way, he was able to build bridges between communities and encouraged everyone to work together as one. His knowledge and wisdom drew many to his side ...
December 07, 2017
Statement on Fair Wages Commission - BCGEU
Today, December 7, is the final day to provide submissions to B.C.'s Fair Wages Commission. The BCGEU would like to mark this date by calling for the immediate implementation of a $15 per hour minimum wage for all workers in our province.
The BCGEU is a tireless advocate for fair wages for all workers. Daily, BCGEU members providing health and social services confront the consequences of low wa...
December 07, 2017
Watch Minister Eby's Address To C1 Conference Conference - BCGEU
Union activists from across the province gathered in Surrey BC this week to discuss important issues for Component 1 members.We reviewed grievance arbitration, short term illness and injury plan (STIIP) and long term disability (LTD) issues, gangs and threats, pensions and more. We also were updated on the progress of sheriff retention and recruitment efforts. Attorney General David Eby sent a ...
December 07, 2017
Watch Minister Farnworth's Address To C1 Conference - BCGEU
Union activists from across the province gathered in Surrey BC this week to discuss important issues for Component 1 members.We reviewed grievance arbitration, short term illness and injury plan (STIIP) and long term disability (LTD) issues, gangs and threats, pensions and more. Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth sent a video message of support to the conference, ...
December 06, 2017
BCGEU Remembers Maureen Headley - BCGEU
I am saddened today to inform BCGEU members and staff that long-time former employee Maureen Headley passed away on Monday December 4 after a long fight with cancer.
Maureen worked at the BCGEU for over 12 years. She served BCGEU members as an organizer, as the assistant director of Membership Records, and as both assistant director and later as director of the Collective Bargaining & Arbit...
December 05, 2017
BC’s Liquor Distribution Branch the right choice to manage cannabis - BCGEU
December 5, 2017 BC's Liquor Distribution Branch the right choice to manage cannabis The B.C. government's decision to make the Liquor Distribution Branch responsible for the distribution of non-medical cannabis is the right choice for British Columbia, the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union said today. "We applaud the BC government's decision to warehouse and distribute cannabis...
December 05, 2017
National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women - BCGEU
December 6:
National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
December 6th is a dark day in our country’s history. It marks the anniversary of the 1989 École Polytechnique Massacre in Montreal, in which 14 women were singled out for their gender and killed.
The 14 women slain in this horrific act of misogyny and gender-based violence were Geneviève Bergeron, Hélène Colgan, N...
December 05, 2017
BCGEU welcomes wildfire review - BCGEU
BCGEU welcomes wildfire review The BC Government and Service Employees' Union welcomes the BC government's announcement of an independent review of wildfire and flood response today. "Our members, who provide on-the-ground emergency fire and flood response across the province, are happy to hear that the government has initiated a review of the catastrophic natural events of the past year,"...
December 01, 2017
Ministry resources new Overdose Emergency Response Centre, more staff to step...
Victoria – Today the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions announced an escalation of their emergency response to the overdose crisis. To deal with the deepening crisis across the province, the government is setting up a centralized Overdose Emergency Response Centre to coordinate a response to the overdose crisis that spans the province.
“Seeing the government move forward with creating new...
November 28, 2017
Sacred Water Ceremony - BCGEU
National Aboriginal Peoples CircleBCGEUVancouver Island Human Rights CommitteePSACBC
Presents a
SACRED WATER CEREMONY
According to Vice News Canada, as of July 31 2017, there were a total of 121 First Nations under 172 drinking water advisories across Canada.
ACCESS TO CLEAN AND SAFE WATER IS A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT
Join Todd Smith, PSAC A/Regional Executive Vice-President, and Sussanne Skidmore, ...
November 28, 2017
BCGEU launches housing affordability plan - BCGEU
Following the launch of a campaign on housing affordability earlier this month, the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU) has released a report detailing recommendations on how the province can solve the housing affordability crisis. The Building an Affordable B.C. report provides recommendations aimed at tackling the root of the housing crisis: speculation on the part of financi...