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COMPONENT 3 - COMMUNITY SOCIAL SERVICES

Component 3 includes members who work in community social services.

These caring professionals provide supports, services, and resources to vulnerable families and individuals across the province. They include supporting adults and children with developmental disabilities, women and children fleeing violence, youth-at-risk, child care, community justice services, Indigenous services, and employment services, among others. With over 15,000 workers in the sector, BCGEU is the largest community social services union in B.C.

NEWS & UPDATES

April 28, 2025

BCGEU statement on Lapu Lapu Day tragedy - BC General Employees' Union (BCGEU)

The BCGEU extends its deepest condolences to the families and communities who lost loved ones during the mass casualty incident at Vancouver's Lapu Lapu Day festival on April 26, 2025. Our thoughts are with the Filipino-Canadian community in B.C. and all that are impacted by this devastating act of violence.  In times like these, it is important to come together. We extend our deepest gratitude...

April 28, 2025

Remembering lives lost, recommitting to safer workplaces - BC General Employe...

Remembering lives lost and recommitting to safer workplaces: A message on Day of Mourning 2025   Every year on April 28, the Day of Mourning is recognized by people across Canada and around the world to remember those who have been injured, become ill or tragically died in needless workplace incidents.   In 2024, 195 people in B.C. died due to work. The impact of these workers' deaths – of the ...

April 23, 2025

Local 301 Executive Election Results - BC General Employees' Union (BCGEU)

We are pleased to announce the results of the elections for the Local 301 Executive:   Position Candidates Number of Votes for Candidate Number of Ballots Spoiled Successful Candidate Chairperson Kate Banky – acclaimed     Kate Banky 1st Vice Chairperson Meghan Blackburn Ash Vomacka Monique Yuan 66 63 39 - - - Meghan Blackburn 2nd Vice Chairperson ...

April 23, 2025

Celebrating Administrative Professionals Day - BC General Employees' Union (B...

Dear Members,  Today is Administrative Professionals Day - a special opportunity to recognize and celebrate the incredible contributions of administrative professionals across the BCGEU.  You are the organizers, communicators, and problem-solvers who keep everything running smoothly. Whether you're managing schedules, coordinating teams, or being the first point of contact for the public, your ...

April 17, 2025

Members in Area 03 and Area 04 - Labour History Seminar - BC General Employee...

Venue: BCGEU - 4911 Canada Way, Burnaby, BC V5G 3W3                                        Date: Saturday May 3, 2025Time: 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm The Area 03 and 04 Cross Component Committees are putting on a Labour history seminar presented by Mark Leier. What is May Day? Why is it celebrated by workers around the world, but largely ignored as a day of workers' protest in North America? What is its...

April 15, 2025

Local 307 Executive Elections - Update - BC General Employees' Union (BCGEU)

Further to the Local Executive Elections bulletin issued April 10, there was an acclamation missing for the position of Member at Large – Young Worker. Please see revised results below: Since the announcement, two nominations have been received for the position of Member-at-Large (Equity): Tahea MackAlyssa Fulkerson Further to PE Policy D-8, nominations for this position will remain open for a...

April 15, 2025

Local 301 Members at Victoria Cool Aid Society - Important Update on Labour A...

Your Steward Committee and Staff Representative had a follow-up Labour Adjustment Planning meeting with members of the Employer's Senior Leadership Team (SLT) on Monday, April 14th. These discussions are required under Section 54 of the BC Labour Relations Code due to the employer's intention to end paid meal periods for all unionized workers.   At this meeting the Interim CEO and current Direc...

April 14, 2025

Recognition of the nine-year anniversary of the opioid crisis as a public hea...

On April 14, 2016, the BC Provincial Health Officer declared a public health emergency around the significant increase in opioid-related overdose deaths. Since that time, we have all been impacted as the lives of over 16,000 people have been lost in our province. We have also seen the nature of the crisis evolve into one of mass drug poisoning among an unregulated supply, while our workers cont...

April 14, 2025

Media Release - LifeLabs workers and patients to deliver message to governmen...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEApril 14, 2025 LifeLabs workers and patients to deliver message to government at legislature  BURNABY, B.C. (Coast Salish Territories) – Bringing together striking LifeLabs workers and the patients that rely on them, the B.C. General Employees' Union (BCGEU) and the BC Health Coalition will be marching to the B.C. Legislature on Wednesday to deliver a message from thousands...

April 14, 2025

Victoria Cool Aid Society - We are Coming to Your Workplace! - BC General Emp...

In the next two weeks your Staff Representative and Stewards are going to be doing some work site visits at Cool Aid to ensure members can ask questions and share their concerns and feedback over the proposed schedule changes. We are inviting all workers to swing by during one of the visits listed below: Tuesday, April 15thCrosstown from 11-1 pmMike Gidora Place (the rest of the Pandora Block a...

April 14, 2025

CSSBA members - Bargaining your new collective agreement starts soon - BC Gen...

Dear Friends, We are gearing up to start negotiating your new collective agreement. Bargaining is set to begin mid-May, and right now, your bargaining committee is in preparation mode, busy creating the proposal package that reflects all unions' identified priorities. A collective agreement is a written contract that sets out the terms and conditions of your employment and includes elements suc...

April 14, 2025

Bargaining your new collective agreement starts soon - BC General Employees' ...

We are gearing up to start negotiating your new collective agreement. Bargaining is set to begin mid-May, and right now, your bargaining committee is in preparation mode, busy creating the proposal package that reflects all unions' identified priorities.    A collective agreement is a written contract that sets out the terms and conditions of your employment and includes elements such as wages,...

April 11, 2025

Victoria Cool Aid Society - Update on Labour Adjustment Planning Discussions ...

Your Steward Committee and Staff Representative met with members of the Employer’s Senior Leadership Team (SLT) on Monday, April 7th, to begin formal Labour Adjustment Planning discussions under Section 54 of the BC Labour Relations Code on the employer’s intention to end paid meal periods for all unionized workers. We presented our first counter proposal that we discussed with workers at our m...

April 10, 2025

Media Release - BCGEU urges government to make good on announcement, bring Li...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEApril 10, 2025BCGEU urges government to make good on announcement, bring LifeLabs into public systemBURNABY, B.C. (Coast Salish Territories) – The B.C. General Employees' Union (BCGEU) applauds the provincial government's announcement today to move existing contracts away from U.S. suppliers in favour of supporting B.C. and Canadian businesses, but questions whether this al...

April 10, 2025

Victoria Cool Aid Society - BC General Employees' Union (BCGEU)

DEADLINE EXTENDED FOR VCAS Scheduling Change Survey – We need your input! We are extending the deadline for all workers at Victoria Cool Aid Society to submit their survey responses! You know have until Friday, April 11th at 5 pm. Why is this survey important? Since your Employer has issued the Union with notice under section 54 of the BC Labour Relations Code, we must begin discussions to dev...

April 10, 2025

Garth Homer Society - Health & Safety Representatives Needed - BC General Emp...

Do you want to help make your workplace safer?  Are you a good problem solver? Do you care about the health and safety of you and your coworkers?  We need you to step up and become an occupational health & safety (OHS) rep. No prior experience is necessary and training and support will be provided.  OHS reps are needed at Garth Homer Society. We are seeking one (1) representative at each of...

April 10, 2025

Local 303 Executive Election Results - BC General Employees' Union (BCGEU)

The Local 303 Election closed on April 9, 2025. Thank you to the candidates who submitted their nominations. We are pleased to announce the results of the Elections for the Local 303 Executive – congratulations! Please join me in welcoming our new Local 303 Executive Third Vice Chair! In solidarity, Alix Born, Staff Representative Download PDF of bulletin here UWU/MoveUP

April 10, 2025

Local 307 Executive Election Results - BC General Employees' Union (BCGEU)

We are pleased to announce the results of the Elections for the Local 307 Executive: Pursuant to PE Policy D-8 "Conducting Local Elections": 7. Where no nomination is received for an office, nominations will be considered to remain open, but by-elections should not occur until all appeals are exhausted. During the three-year term, if a member in good standing submits a nomination for a vacant ...

April 10, 2025

Media Release - LifeLabs workers rally in Nanaimo for fair deal - BC General ...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEApril 10, 2025LifeLabs workers rally in Nanaimo for fair deal BURNABY, B.C. (Coast Salish Territories) – LifeLabs workers on strike in Nanaimo aren't just picketing for fair wages. They’re fighting to stop the constant turnover of staff at Patient Service Centres and the negative impact this has on patient care.  “LifeLabs workers receive 4-16 per cent below what others in ...

April 09, 2025

CSSBA Members - ECE Incentive Benefit Extended - BC General Employees' Union ...

This is an update for Early Childcare Educator (ECE) members. Last May, we announced an important step taken in the acknowledgment of the quality care and learning early childcare educators provide. As you might recall, our union negotiated a one-time funding plan into the Community Social Services Bargaining Agreement (CSSBA) to address the fact that you were excluded from the government’s Ear...

April 09, 2025

The vital role of worksite contacts - BC General Employees' Union (BCGEU)

We want to hear from you   As we've shared in recent bulletins, this pause in bargaining has given us time to regroup and refine our strategy. A key part of this effort is checking in with members to reaffirm what matters most to you at the bargaining table. With recent shifts in both the economic and political landscape, we want to ensure we're aligned as we move forward together. Keep an eye ...

April 09, 2025

Media Release - BCGEU announces key step toward ending Kootenay Lake Ferry st...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEWednesday, April 9, 2025BCGEU announces key step toward ending Kootenay Lake Ferry strike following special mediationBurnaby, B.C. (Coast Salish Territories) – After days of intensive work in special mediation, the B.C. General Employees' Union (BCGEU) is pleased to announce a breakthrough aimed at resolving the ongoing Kootenay Lake Ferry strike. Both the union and Western...

April 07, 2025

Bargaining Committee Election Results - Local 301 Members at Fernwood Neighbo...

We are excited to announce that Maiya Beech and Sage Galatyne have been acclaimed as your bargaining committee members.   Congratulations to your new bargaining committee!   The Bargaining Committee will work with the assigned BCGEU Negotiator in negotiating your next collective agreement.   The role of the bargaining committee members includes:     Attending caucus meetings and developing bar...

April 04, 2025

Fernwood Community Resource Group Society - Your New Occupational Health & Sa...

Here are the OHS reps appointed by your elected union representatives to help you and your coworkers at «insert employer name» ensure a healthy and safe workplace. Sage GalatyneEmma GrantMichelle Hetlay-Pfeiffer Your OHS reps participate in the Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee (JOHS) committee meetings monthly with other workers and your employer as equals. These meetings are lega...

April 04, 2025

Patients and LifeLabs workers rally for fair deal - BC General Employees' Uni...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEApril 4, 2025Patients and LifeLabs workers rally for fair deal BURNABY, B.C. (Coast Salish Territories) –  Bringing together striking LifeLabs workers and the patients that rely on them, the B.C. General Employees' Union (BCGEU) and the BC Health Coalition will hold a joint rally in Burnaby, B.C. on Sunday, April 6, 2025, to support the fight for a fair deal. “LifeLabs work...

April 03, 2025

Sparc Association of BC - Bargaining Committee Nominations – Three (3) Positions

Friends,Your current collective agreement expired on March 31, 2025. A new bargaining committee is therefore required to represent members for negotiating the renewal collective agreement.Call for Nominations The Union needs your help and participation in the preparations and bargaining process. The first step is to elect a union bargaining committee which will negotiate the new collective agre...

April 03, 2025

Boys and Girls Club of Southern Vancouver Island Steward Election Results - B...

The stewards at Boys and Girls Club of Southern Vancouver Island are Abee Armstrong and Rachel Klopp. Stewards are representatives of our union at the worksite, and will help you and your coworkers solve problems at your workplace. They will receive ongoing training from the BCGEU to ensure they can advise and represent you when you are facing challenges with your employer. If you are required...