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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

June 15, 2016

Elections for Local 306 2nd Vice Chairperson

The BCGEU is holding elections for the vacant 2nd Vice Chairperson position on the Local 306 Executive.   Candidate statements are attached for those candidates who provided them: 2nd VICE CHAIRPERSON CANDIDATES: Susan Means Laurie Brown Marianne Halberstadt Heather Rudyk NOTE: You may also vote at the Area Office (107A North First Avenue, Williams Lake) Ballots are due back to the BCGEU C...

June 15, 2016

Local 302 Union Observers

The union is seeking any stewards from Local 302 that would be interested in training as an Union Observer. The role on a selection panel is to observe whether all candidates are treated in a fair and impartial manner and to report the actions of the panel to the union. This is an important job. When you sit on the panel you are representing the Union and you should be given the respect that p...

June 13, 2016

Acorn Day Care Society ratification meeting and vote

What: Ratification Meeting Where: Acorn Day Care When: Tuesday, June 21, 2016 at 2:00pm Your bargaining committee is pleased to say that we have reached a tentative agreement with the Employer. This agreement includes a 2% wage increase for each of the three years. We will be holding a ratification meeting to walk you through the changes to the agreement. This meeting will also be your oppo...

June 13, 2016

Love must be greater than hate – Orlando shootings

The BCGEU expresses deep sorrow at the brutal hate crime which occurred in Orlando, Florida this past weekend and sends condolences to the families of the more than 100 innocent people who were killed and seriously injured at the Pulse nightclub on Sunday morning. Much of the news coverage has focused on allegations of extremist religious motives. But this was not an act of terrorism, although...

June 13, 2016

The Columbia Institute releases a climate change report

The Columbia Institute released a brand-new report today: Top Asks for Climate Action - Ramping Up Low Carbon Communities. You can find it and a summary here. Local governments have a crucial role to play in combating climate change. Their decisions directly or indirectly impact sixty percent of Canada’s energy consumption and more than fifty percent of GHG emissions. Top Asks pinpoints what l...

June 10, 2016

BCGEU writes Colombian and Canadian governments on repression

In early June, the BCGEU learned that Colombian state security forces used indiscriminate and excessive force against Colombian citizens engaged in peaceful protest. This led to deaths, serious injuries and arrests of citizens taking part in the “National Agrarian, Peasant, Ethnic and Grassroots Mobilization – for Good Living, A structural Agrarian Reform and Dignified Cities – Sowing Hope, Har...

June 06, 2016

Local 304 general meeting

DATE: Wednesday, June 22, 2016 TIME: 7:00 p.m. PLACE: George Heyman Union Organizing Centre             Fraser Valley Area Office             8555 – 198A Street             Langley   AGENDA 1. Classification reports Frank Greenlay (presenter) 2. Upcoming events and training In solidarity Tamara Peterson L304 Chair Download PDF of notice here. UNIFOR467/MoveUP

June 06, 2016

Local 304 executive meeting

DATE: Wednesday, June 22, 2016 TIME: 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. PLACE: George Heyman Union Organizing Centre             Fraser Valley Area Office – Chehalis Room             8555 – 198A Street             Langley This meeting is for local executive / table officers only AGENDA DINNER: 5:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Reports: 1. Steward                        Tamara Peterson 2. OHS                   ...

June 06, 2016

Mid-term nominations for local 306 executive positions

Mid-Term Nominations are now open for following positions on the Local 306 Executive: 2nd Vice Chairperson Young Worker The term ends 2018.  The deadline for nominations is: July 4, 2016 If there is an election for a position, candidates may submit one page of information  (8-1/2 x 11, black and white) for distribution to members with ballots.  This must be received within one business ...

June 05, 2016

Gov't needs to do more to address affordable childcare for families: expert

he number of families with two working parents has doubled over the last 40 years, but it seems our government policies are not keeping up with the change. Read more...

June 02, 2016

Social Planning and Research Council of BC (SPARC) bargaining update

Your committee met with your employer on May 24 and 26. We primarily bargained non-monetary items and have reached an agreement on most of the items. We will be back in bargaining on July 6 and 7 and will be negotiating the outstanding monetary items. In solidarity Jim Sands, Bargaining Committee Member Ronnie Legaspi, Bargaining Committee Member Swannie Wu, Bargaining Committee Member An...

June 02, 2016

Lower Mainland Purpose Society For Youth and Families ratification of memoran...

The ratification vote is now complete and 96% of the membership voted to accept the proposed changes in the Memorandum of Settlement. A draft agreement will be reviewed by the Parties before it is finalized and signed. If you have any questions, please contact your shop steward. In solidarity Richard Tones Staff Representative Download PDF of notice here. UNIFOR467/MoveUP

June 01, 2016

Workplace first aid requirements

First aid is an important element of workplace health and safety. This includes having the correct equipment, procedures and trained people in place to respond in the event of a workplace injury. Here are the basic first aid requirements under the Workers Compensation Act:  (1) The employer must provide for each workplace such equipment, supplies, facilities, first aid attendants and services...

June 01, 2016

Member Update - June 2016

BCGEU president Stephanie Smith and Corrections and Sheriff Services Component 1 VP Dean Purdy update members on ongoing union campaigns. *You can also view the video on the BCGEU YouTube channel

June 01, 2016

Kids Cottage Day Care bargaining committee members – election results

The election of your bargaining committee is now complete. You will be represented by: Kathy Granger and Jacquelyn Peel Your committee will be convening shortly to review and develop proposals prior to meeting with the employer. Bargaining surveys will be sent to the worksite. This is your opportunity to have input into the bargaining proposals that impact all members. We thank you in advanc...

June 01, 2016

Salvation Army Belkin House and Richmond House bargaining committee election ...

I am pleased to advise you that the following members will make up the bargaining committee who will represent you through the upcoming negotiations with the Employer: Trevor Corbett – Bargaining Committee Chairperson Oliva Rolando – Bargaining Committee Member Deanna Pulak – Bargaining Committee Member Lea Salov – Bargaining Committee Member The next step is for the Committee to review...

May 31, 2016

B.C. government launches online map that shows daycare vacancies

For parents of younger children, finding licensed child care is a constant battle. In many cases, if you’re not on a waiting list before your child is even born, you’re out of luck. So the province is launching a new tool to help connect parents with open child care spots. Read more...

May 30, 2016

Lower Mainland Purpose Society ratification vote

The Union will be holding two meetings to seek a ratification mandate from the membership: DATE & TIME: May 31, 2016 – 6:30 pm to 7:00 pm LOCATION: Yukon Crescent Children’s Centre                  2123 Yukon Crescent, Burnaby, BC DATE & TIME:  June 1, 2016 – 6:30 pm to 7:00 pm LOCATION: Cameron Children’s Centre                  9838 Cameron Street, Burnaby, BC A copy of the Memoran...

May 30, 2016

OHS Representatives in the province right to refuse unsafe work

Recent incidents at Forensic Psychiatric Hospital in Coquitlam have highlighted the need for workers to be made aware of their rights and duties under the Worker’s Compensation Act in carrying out their work. On May 23, BCGEU members were injured while transporting a patient from the Royal Columbian Hospital back to the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital. A preliminary investigation has been conduc...

May 27, 2016

2016 BCGEU Scholarship Winners

Shaelyn Ann Loise Blatta, West Kelowna Flora Copley, Barriere Ruth Dyck, Williams Lake Haven Evans, Prince George Elisabeth Hill, Port Alberni Ramona Jones, White Rock Isaiah Joseph, Langford Pamela Lozano Fernandez, Chilliwack Kayla MacKay, Victoria Tessa Milic, Delta Sarah Osborne, Victoria Tenysha Ross-Van Mierlo, Castlegar Lindsay Russell, Port Moody Jaya Scott, Victoria Jorda...

May 27, 2016

Local 304 Member-at-large nominations – Two positions

Please be advised that there is a vacancy for two member-at-large positions to represent members on Local 304 executive. Please find attached nomination form. Completed nomination forms are to be returned to the union no later than 5:00 pm on Monday, June 27, 2016. The nomination period remains open for 30 calendar days. Candidates have the right to submit one 8.5” x11” information sheet, whi...

May 25, 2016

Chilliwack Community Services union meeting

In light of recent changes to programs which may result in layoffs, the union would like to meet with all members at Chilliwack Community Services to discuss the changes and impacts, as well as to answer any questions you have. The details are as follows: DATE: THURSDAY, June 2, 2016 VENUE: Wellington office boardroom             45948 Wellington Avenue             Chilliwack TIME: 2:30 p.m...

May 25, 2016

Local 305 BBQ and Music Trivia

DATE: June 7, 2016 TIME: 5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. PLACE: BCGEU, 158 ORIOLE ROAD, KAMLOOPS (VALLEYVIEW)             (evening entrance at Northwest corner of building)   AGENDA You are invited to BBQ dinner and Music Trivia on Tuesday, June 7, 2016 from 5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Please come out and enjoy our beautiful patio space where we will be barbecuing beef, chicken, veggie burgers, and smokies...

May 24, 2016

WJS KEY Program in East Kootenays to close – the first of its kind

For over 20 years, the Kootenays East Youth (KEY) program has supported young offenders as they strive to make positive changes in their lives. A new model at the time of its founding, KEY was first residential youth justice program in B.C. Youth justice programs like KEY offer support and structure for young offenders who the courts have determined would be better served outside of a custodia...