Click here for info on Bargaining 2025

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 24, 2016

L'Ecole Bilingue Kindercare Society Tentative Agreement and Ratification Meeting

The Bargaining Committee reached a tentative agreement with your Employer on June 13, 2016. The highlights of the tentative agreement are:      •    A 4-year term, ending June 30, 2020      •    2% wage increase each year of the agreement      •    2 additional vacation days for members in their first to fourth years of employment      •    3 additional vacation days for members in their fift...

June 24, 2016

Keep Your Cool!

The recent hot weather in our province generated several calls to the BCGEU Occupational Health and Safety department. Members want to know if the employer has the responsibility to protect workers from hot temperatures both indoors and out. The short answer is “YES!” The Workers Compensation Act Section 115 mandates that employers must ensure the health and safety of all workers working for t...

June 22, 2016

Arcus Community Resources Ltd - Steward Nominations – five positions

Please be advised there are vacancies for five steward positions to represent members at Arcus Community Resources. Please find attached nomination form. Completed nomination forms are to be returned to the union no later than 5:00 p.m., Friday, July 29, 2016. Nomination form(s) may be sent to the Fraser Valley Area Office via fax (604.882.5032) or email ([email protected]) to the attention of M...

June 22, 2016

Mission Daycare Society (Heritage Park) tentative agreement reached

The parties reached a tentative agreement on June 20, 2016. The union's bargaining committee is recommending acceptance of the tentative agreement. Amanda Johnsen (bargaining committee member) will be conducting a ratification vote at Mission Daycare Society during the week of June 21st. Information and voting packages will be available from Amanda for your review. If you have any questions, ...

June 20, 2016

BCGEU celebrates the 20th National Aboriginal Day

On June 21, 1996 the federal government declared the first National Aboriginal Day. Since that time, the BCGEU has joined the celebrations and the calls for increased support and recognition of Aboriginal peoples across Canada. Over the course of those 20 years, Aboriginal peoples in Canada have fought for and won many advancements and reinforcements of their rights – sometimes through govern...

June 20, 2016

BCGEU demands freedom for Iranian trade unionists

In solidarity with the Free Them Now campaign to free jailed workers in Iran, the BCGEU sent two letters demanding the release of Jafar Azimzadeh and other jailed trade union leaders. Click here to read the general solidarity letter, and click here for the the more specific letter. 

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...