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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

May 04, 2016

BCGEU makes progress in dispute with United Way of the Lower Mainland

Smith was quick to acknowledge the efforts of the Board of UWLM: "I'm looking forward to seeing a positive resolution." Read more...

May 04, 2016

BCGEU president’s statement re: Fort McMurray wildfire & $50k donation

NEW: The BCGEU has made a $50,000 donation to the Canadian Red Cross towards relief efforts. Like you, I’ve been watching the images and video footage from wildfire-ravaged Fort McMurray, Alberta. It’s heartbreaking to see. The lives of those affected have been changed forever. We know some of our BCGEU members have loved ones and friends who’ve been impacted by the evacuation of a staggerin...

May 04, 2016

Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society update on bargaining

Your bargaining committee met with the Employer on March 16 & 23 and May 3, 2016. We have concluded our discussion on non-monetary items and have exchanged our monetary proposal package. Our next bargaining date is scheduled for May 10, 2016. We will update you as soon as that date has concluded. Thank you for your continued patience and support. In solidarity Your bargaining committee...

May 03, 2016

Celebrate Mental Health Awareness Week!

The BC Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU) would like to give a special thank you to the thousands of members who work every day to support those who live with mental health conditions. It takes a special kind of person willing to dedicate their careers to supporting people who suffer from mental health conditions – those special people are members in Component 4 health services, Co...

May 02, 2016

BC Federation of Labour "Stress in the Workplace" Course

The “Understanding and Preventing Stress in the Workplace” course will be offered at the Castlegar area office on Friday June 3, 2016 from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. This course will be facilitated by a BC Federation of Labour Health and Safety Centre facilitator. This course is designed to help identify stressors such as job demands, job control, lack of support, organization styles, bullying and lac...

May 02, 2016

Area 05 Stewards Educational Seminar – Pension Workshop

The Area 05 Cross Component Committee is pleased to invite you for a free education session regarding a Pension Workshop. This educational session will be useful for all BCGEU members who want more information related to Pensions and Pension Plans.     WHERE: Kamloops Area Office                    158 Oriole Road, Kamloops                   After hours entrance at right rear of building.    ...

May 02, 2016

Local 304 enhanced stewards training

WHERE: Fraser Valley area office               8555 – 198A Street               Langley DATE: Wednesday, May 25 OR Thursday, May 26 TIME: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. As you know, the role of a steward in the workplace is an extremely important one, and we want to make sure that our stewards are equipped with all the information they need to continue to assist members every day. That is why we are...

April 28, 2016

Boat Daycare Society tentative agreement ratified

We are pleased to advise you that the membership has ratified the tentative agreement. The highlights of the tentative agreement include: A three year deal from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2018 A 2.25% wage increase for 2016 & 2017 A 2.5% wage increase for 2018  Improved language on Article 4 – Union Dues and Information Improved language on Article 6 – Time off for Union Busine...

April 28, 2016

SFU Childcare Society tentative agreement ratified

The union is pleased to advise that the tentative settlement has been ratified with 97% support.  If you have any questions about implementation of the agreement, please contact your shop steward.  In solidarity Patty Bates, Bargaining Committee Member Nita Pedersen, Bargaining Committee Member Shihla Shivji, Bargaining Committee Member Shannon Murray, Staff Representative UNIFOR467/MoveUP

April 28, 2016

Member Update - April 27, 2016

BCGEU president Stephanie Smith provides an update on some of the important events and initiatives the BCGEU is involved with in April and May.

April 28, 2016

Stephanie Smith: Day of Mourning 2016

UPDATE: Day of Mourning photos Many of you will be attending Day of Mourning events on April 28 in different communities around our province. Some of you will be there to honour and remember your co-workers and family members or to show solidarity and empathy for those who have been affected by the death or injury of a worker. The provincial government will be lowering flags on all provincia...

April 27, 2016

Speak out against death threats to union leaders in Colombia

We have been alerted through CoDevelopment Canada and our Colombian partner NOMADESC that there has been a new round of death threats against numerous human rights defenders and union leaders. These threats are taking place in the Valle de Cauca region, and originate with the paramilitary group Gaitanistas Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AGC). This is the latest incident in a recent increase i...

April 27, 2016

BCGEU supports transgender human rights bill

On Wednesday, April 27, 2016 NDP MLA Spencer Chandra Herbert is presenting the Trans Equality Bill to the BC Legislature. This bill will ensure that trans and gender variant British Columbians are explicitly protected under the B.C. Human Rights Code. It is Chandra Herbert’s fourth attempt to introduce the private member’s bill. BCGEU President Stephanie Smith has sent a letter in support of...

April 27, 2016

The BCGEU is proud to endorse the Sanctuary City principles

When refugee applicants come to Canada, there is often an assumption that Canada is a safer place than their home countries. But if you have a precarious migration status or no status at all, and you fear being turned over to the immigration authorities, life here is not safe at all. Transit, health care, and community based social services workers could all be directed by their employers to d...

April 25, 2016

Ergonomics in the workplace

Ergonomics is the science of adapting the workplace to the worker and the product to the user. You are at risk of developing musculoskeletal injuries (MSI) when you carry out work without first considering how the workplace suits you. This can lead to disabling conditions if not recognized and treated in the early stages. The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, Sections 4.46 – 4.53, re...

April 22, 2016

Social Planning and Research Council (SPARC) bargaining questionnaire

Please fill out the attached bargaining questionnaire and return to the BCGEU – Lower Mainland Area Office via fax to 604-215-1410 or email [email protected]. The deadline for return is 5:00 pm on Friday, April 29, 2016. In solidarity Ronnie Legaspi, Bargaining Committee Member Jim Sands, Bargaining Committee Member Swannie Wu, Bargaining Committee Member Anthony Davies, Staff Representative ...

April 22, 2016

Salvation Army Stevenson House bargaining committee member election results

The Union is pleased to advise that Philip Mackenzie has been elected your Bargaining Committee Chairperson and William Lumley and David Ross have been elected Bargaining Committee Member and Alternate, respectively. The bargaining committee will be meeting as a caucus soon to develop proposals for bargaining. In solidarity Angela Mahlmann Staff Representative, Negotiations cc Andrea Dunca...

April 21, 2016

McGregor Childcare Centre tentative agreement reached

The BCGEU has reached a tentative agreement with McGregor Childcare centre, which needs to be voted on for ratification by the members. Highlights of the tentative agreement include: wage increases of 2% each year over 3 years, for a total of 6% an increase 0.5% of Employer RRSP matching a 10-day increase to the maximum sick-leave bank pay by bi-weekly direct deposit instead of bi-monthl...

April 21, 2016

Boat Daycare Society ratification vote results

This is to advise you that the membership has rejected the tentative collective agreement. The result was 75% against acceptance of the tentative collective agreement. We will be working to determine the next steps over the next week and will keep you apprised of any updates as they become available. In solidarity Meredith Greene, Bargaining Committee Member Kim Howse, BCGEU Staff Representa...

April 20, 2016

Comox Valley Children's Daycare Society shop stewards

The Shop Stewards for the CVDCS are now: Mary Jantzen  Chia-Fen (Sharon) Mayer  Martin Pariseau Roberta Ann Rogers Feel free to contact them with any Union related questions or concerns that you may have.​   In solidarity Mike Scott Staff Representative Download PDF of notice here. UNIFOR467/MoveUP

April 20, 2016

SPARC of BC Steward nominations

Steward nominations are now open at your worksite. There is 1 position open. Deadline for nominations is May 20, 2016.  Please fill out the attached nomination form and return to the Lower Mainland Office by May 20, 2016 at the following address: Suite 130 2920 Virtual Way Vancouver, BC V5M 0C4 or via facsimile (604-215-1410) Download PDF of notice here. Download PDF of nomination form he...

April 20, 2016

Island Crisis Care Society JOSH COMMITTEE

Being aware of health and safety issues at a worksite is an important tool in ensuring a safe work environment for ALL employees.  Being part of your local Joint Occupational Health & Safety Committee (JOSH), you will be trained as a Committee Member to ensure safe working conditions.  This training will assist you in identifying hazards at your workplace. During this course you will lea...

April 20, 2016

BCGEU Members at Island Crisis Care Society shop steward results

Please welcome the new stewards at Island Crisis Care Society: Leah Lupkoski         -      Samaritan House Sara Knippshild       -     Samaritan House Lindsey Goupil        -      Samaitan House If you have any questions or concerns, please contact anyone of them. In solidarity Mike Scott Staff Representative Download PDF of notice here. UNIFOR467/MoveUP