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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 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...

April 03, 2025

Day of Mourning 2025 - BC General Employees' Union (BCGEU)

Every year, on April 28, BCGEU members across the province come together to honour and remember co-workers and family members who were injured, made sick or killed because of something that happened at work.It is critical that we all remember those workers and reiterate our commitment to fight for the living to prevent further tragedies.Here are a few ways you can acknowledge Day of Mourning on...

April 02, 2025

You’re Invited to our Worker Appreciation Party on Saturday April 5th! - BC G...

    RSVP using this link: http://events.bcgeu.ca/301_victoria_cool_aid_society_worker_appreciation_party   We all need to feel appreciated for what we do from time to time. Since the staff appreciation party was cancelled, your steward committee figured why not come together and appreciate each other!   Join us for a Worker Appreciation Party at our Victoria Area Office in our beautiful atrium...

April 01, 2025

Scheduling Change Discussions – We need your input! - BC General Employees' U...

Since your Employer has issued the Union with notice under section 54 of the BC Labour Relations Code, we must begin discussions to develop a Labour Adjustment Plan. Click here to find some background information on the s. 54 process. Since this change will impact workers, we would like to hear directly from you! Please fill out the survey here. The survey will close on Thursday, April 10th at ...

April 01, 2025

STOP America’s Leeches – Lower Mainland Lab Workers Need You - BC General Emp...

Are you tired of the long waits and wrap-around lines to get into LifeLabs? Are you worried about the Americanization of our healthcare system?These concerns are connected. By standing with our local LifeLabs members who are on strike in the Lower Mainland and communities across B.C., you're speaking out on both issues. Join them for a solidarity rally on Sunday, April 6, 12:00 pm (NOON) to 2:0...

April 01, 2025

Rapid Grievance Tribunal - BC General Employees' Union (BCGEU)

Rapid Grievance Tribunal    So far this round of bargaining, discussions have been focused on key non-monetary proposals. One of the most important to our committee is the Rapid Grievance Tribunal. Here's why:   ISSUE:   The length of time it takes to settle grievances is too long – especially for simple grievances like:   union leave denial vacation denial overtime bypasses other, simple, str...

April 01, 2025

Additional Education and Training Funds Available for Community Social Servic...

GREAT NEWS! LAEF FUNDING WINDOW HAS BEEN EXTENDED! CSSEA and the Community Social Services Bargaining Association of Unions (CSSBA) are pleased to announce that the Community Social Services Labour Adjustment and Education Fund (LAEF) has extended the submission period to December 31, 2025 for applications for education and training funding.  Details on the fund, eligibility criteria and applic...

March 31, 2025

March 31 is Trans Day of Visibility - We aspire to a world made in the image ...

March 31 is Trans Day of Visibility  "We aspire to a world made in the image of everyday people"  Statement from BCGEU's Executive Vice-President and Chair of the 2SLGBTQIA+ Committee Tristen Wybou  Quality, universal healthcare; secure, affordable housing; respectful workplaces; jobs that pay the bills (without breaking our backs and spirits). What do all of these goals have in common?  They'r...

March 31, 2025

Media Release - BCGEU pleased with government appointment of Special Mediator...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE BCGEU pleased with government appointment of Special Mediator in ferries disputeBURNABY, B.C. (Coast Salish Territories) – The B.C. General Employees' Union (BCGEU) bargaining committee representing workers at Western Pacific Marine (WPM) is pleased that the Ministry of Labour has assigned a Special Mediator to work with the two parties to reach a fair agreement in their l...

March 28, 2025

Media Release - Striking LifeLabs workers to hold rally for fair deal - BC Ge...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFriday, March 28, 2025Striking LifeLabs workers to hold rally for fair dealLifeLabs workers on strike in Kamloops aren't just picketing for fair wages. They're fighting to stop the constant turnover of staff and long wait times at Patient Service Centres, and the negative impact this has on patient care."LifeLabs workers receive 4-16% below what others in their industry get...

March 26, 2025

American ownership of LifeLabs, have your say - BC General Employees' Union (...

Why is an American company sucking millions of public health dollars out of B.C.? Take action here: https://www.handsoffourhealthcare.ca  Did you know that BCGEU members working at LifeLabs are up against an American Fortune 500 company as they strike for a fair contract? After buying LifeLabs last summer for $1.3 billion, Quest Diagnostics now owns the lab testing services we all need to take ...

March 21, 2025

Boys and Girls Club of South Vancouver Island (BGCSVI) Members - Classificati...

A lot of you have been asking for an update on classifications for all your jobs. Currently here are the following job descriptions with the proposed classifications we received from your employer: ● Child & Youth Care Worker ● Child & Youth Care Worker/Support Worker ● On-Call Outdoor Maintenance Worker ● Registration Clerk & Office Coordinator ● Youth & Family Support Worker ●...

March 21, 2025

BCGEU Files Complaint Against Western Pacific Marine for Bad Faith Bargaining...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 21, 2025 BCGEU Files Complaint Against Western Pacific Marine for Bad Faith Bargaining  BURNABY, B.C. (Coast Salish Territories) – After weeks of extensive bargaining in an attempt to reach a fair agreement, the B.C. General Employees' Union (BCGEU) is filing a formal complaint of bad faith bargaining against Western Pacific Marine (WPM) with the Labour Relations Boa...