NEWS & UPDATES
August 08, 2017
Community health workers launch strike for fair wages and fair scheduling - B...
Following several months of unsuccessful negotiations seeking fair wages and fair scheduling provisions, 221 community support workers will go on strike Friday. The workers, employed by home support agency We Care Home Health Services, will initiate a rotating strike to emphasize the need for a fair contract.
“Community health workers are trained professionals, and the vital work they do must ...
August 08, 2017
BCGEU welcomes government’s decision to eliminate tuition fees for Adult Basi...
The BC Government & Service Employees' Union (BCGEU) welcomes today's announcement by the provincial government to remove tuition fees for Adult Basic Education (ABE) and English Language Learning (ELL) programs in the province.
ABE is the gateway to many other advanced education programs and good jobs, and ELL programs are essential to new Canadians' ability to access employment and educat...
August 08, 2017
Basic Stewards' Training - BCGEU
The BCGEU provides training to all of its Stewards and Local Executives. Training is essential to you in your role as a steward. You are receiving this notice because you are on our list for those Stewards awaiting your Steward Course.
Paid leaves from work, accommodation, travel and meal expenses, if required, will be paid for by the Union. Lunch will be provided for the days you are in class....
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
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
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 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
‘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 20, 2017
Join us! BCGEU member’s Walk for PTSD Awareness ends Friday at BC Legislature...
Robert Gagnon is a man on a mission. The 44-year-old B.C. corrections officer and Canadian veteran began his Walk to Raise Awareness for Veterans and First Responders with PTSD in Prince George on June 28, and will end his walk on the front steps of the B.C. Legislature in Victoria tomorrow, Friday July 21.
Robert's estimated arrival at the Legislature is 3:00 p.m. We encourage BCGEU members i...
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...