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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

December 15, 2017

BCGEU calls for reinvestment in seniors’ services as Seniors Advocate release...

On Thursday, December 14, 2017, the B.C. Seniors Advocate released the annual Monitoring Seniors' Services report. Their findings present further evidence that the B.C. government has to reverse the policies of austerity implemented under the BC Liberals. B.C.'s seniors need significant reinvestment in community services and affordable housing to undo the resulting increase in poverty now faced...

December 15, 2017

Compliance and Enforcement in B.C. Forests - BCGEU

With the B.C. Government's review of professional reliance across many industries underway, the BCGEU has released a short paper about compliance and enforcement in B.C.’s forests. Check it out below and be sure to share it with your networks.  

December 11, 2017

BC Human Rights Commission - BCGEU

Today the report, A Human Rights Commission for the 21st Century: British Columbians talk about Human Rights was released detailing 25 recommendations to government as they re-establish the BC Human Rights Commission (dismantled in 2002 by the previous Liberal government). The report recommends to B.C.'s Attorney General that the new commission be built on four important pillars in order to cre...

December 11, 2017

BCGEU disappointed by decision to complete Site C dam, urges government to em...

The BCGEU is disappointed by the provincial government's decision today to complete the Site C dam despite findings by the BC Utilities Commission that question the economic viability of the project. In 2015 the union took a position against the construction of the dam citing economic and environmental concerns as well infringement on First Nations' rights. This decision demonstrates the work s...

December 08, 2017

Ratification Meeting for members at Island Crisis Care Society - BCGEU

Your Bargaining Committee is pleased to announce that we have reached a tentative agreement with the Employer. Highlights of this agreement include wage increases for each year of the agreement, with a 2% increase retroactive to April 1, 2017, Personal Wellness days, agreement to reinvest any cuts to MSP premiums into better benefits for the members and more. There will be a Ratification Meetin...

December 07, 2017

BCGEU remembers Leonard George - BCGEU

It is with tremendous sadness to learn of the passing of Tsleil-Waututh leader, Leonard George. Leonard, served as Chief of the Tsleil-Waututh nation, was an iconic leader and teacher to thousands of people across British Columbia. In his special way, he was able to build bridges between communities and encouraged everyone to work together as one. His knowledge and wisdom drew many to his side ...

December 07, 2017

Statement on Fair Wages Commission - BCGEU

Today, December 7, is the final day to provide submissions to B.C.'s Fair Wages Commission. The BCGEU would like to mark this date by calling for the immediate implementation of a $15 per hour minimum wage for all workers in our province. The BCGEU is a tireless advocate for fair wages for all workers. Daily, BCGEU members providing health and social services confront the consequences of low wa...

December 07, 2017

Watch Minister Eby's Address To C1 Conference Conference - BCGEU

Union activists from across the province gathered in Surrey BC this week to discuss important issues for Component 1 members.We reviewed grievance arbitration, short term illness and injury plan (STIIP) and long term disability (LTD) issues, gangs and threats, pensions and more. We also were updated on the progress of sheriff retention and recruitment efforts. Attorney General David Eby sent a ...

December 07, 2017

Watch Minister Farnworth's Address To C1 Conference - BCGEU

  Union activists from across the province gathered in Surrey BC this week to discuss important issues for Component 1 members.We reviewed grievance arbitration, short term illness and injury plan (STIIP) and long term disability (LTD) issues, gangs and threats, pensions and more.  Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth sent a video message of support to the conference, ...

December 06, 2017

BCGEU Remembers Maureen Headley - BCGEU

I am saddened today to inform BCGEU members and staff that long-time former employee Maureen Headley passed away on Monday December 4 after a long fight with cancer. Maureen worked at the BCGEU for over 12 years. She served BCGEU members as an organizer, as the assistant director of Membership Records, and as both assistant director and later as director of the Collective Bargaining & Arbit...

December 05, 2017

New funding to address violence against women and children in B.C. - BCGEU

On December 1, 2017 the provincial government announced it will invest $5 million in one-time grants to community organizations across B.C. to better address violence against women and children. The funding is targeted to address waitlists and provide counselling, outreach, and crisis supports that are much needed around the province.  This is welcome news for those working on the front line in...

December 05, 2017

BC’s Liquor Distribution Branch the right choice to manage cannabis - BCGEU

  December 5, 2017 BC's Liquor Distribution Branch the right choice to manage cannabis   The B.C. government's decision to make the Liquor Distribution Branch responsible for the distribution of non-medical cannabis is the right choice for British Columbia, the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union said today. "We applaud the BC government's decision to warehouse and distribute cannabis...

December 05, 2017

National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women - BCGEU

  December 6:    National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women December 6th is a dark day in our country’s history. It marks the anniversary of the 1989 École Polytechnique Massacre in Montreal, in which 14 women were singled out for their gender and killed. The 14 women slain in this horrific act of misogyny and gender-based violence were Geneviève Bergeron, Hélène Colgan, N...

December 05, 2017

BCGEU welcomes wildfire review - BCGEU

  BCGEU welcomes wildfire review   The BC Government and Service Employees' Union welcomes the BC government's announcement of an independent review of wildfire and flood response today. "Our members, who provide on-the-ground emergency fire and flood response across the province, are happy to hear that the government has initiated a review of the catastrophic natural events of the past year,"...

December 01, 2017

Ministry resources new Overdose Emergency Response Centre, more staff to step...

Victoria – Today the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions announced an escalation of their emergency response to the overdose crisis. To deal with the deepening crisis across the province, the government is setting up a centralized Overdose Emergency Response Centre to coordinate a response to the overdose crisis that spans the province. “Seeing the government move forward with creating new...

November 30, 2017

Membership Meeting & Strike Vote - Salvation Army Ocean Crest Ministries – Ca...

Members recently voted 54% against the tentative agreement. As a result of this failed ratification the next step will be to conduct a strike vote. The bargaining committee will be holding a membership meeting and strike vote on January 30, 2018. Voting will take place at the meeting only. Members are encouraged to attend this very important meeting and participate in the strike vote. More deta...

November 28, 2017

Sacred Water Ceremony - BCGEU

National Aboriginal Peoples CircleBCGEUVancouver Island Human Rights CommitteePSACBC Presents a  SACRED WATER CEREMONY According to Vice News Canada, as of July 31 2017, there were a total of 121 First Nations under 172 drinking water advisories across Canada. ACCESS TO CLEAN AND SAFE WATER IS A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT Join Todd Smith, PSAC A/Regional Executive Vice-President, and Sussanne Skidmore, ...

November 28, 2017

Union Meeting for members at Downtown Eastside Women's Centre - BCGEU

COMPONENT:  Community Social Services LOCAL:             303 – BCGEU Members at Downtown Eastside Women's Centre DATE:              Tuesday, December 5, 2017 TIME:               6:00 pm – 7:30 pm PLACE:              BCGEU Lower Mainland Area Office                         #130-2920 Virtual Way, Vancouver                          (Squamish Room)   I hope that you are all doing well. A Union Me...

November 28, 2017

BCGEU launches housing affordability plan - BCGEU

Following the launch of a campaign on housing affordability earlier this month, the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU) has released a report detailing recommendations on how the province can solve the housing affordability crisis. The Building an Affordable B.C. report provides recommendations aimed at tackling the root of the housing crisis: speculation on the part of financi...

November 23, 2017

Quadra Daycare Society Bargaining Committee Nominations and Survey - BCGEU

I am the BCGEU Staff Representative who will be working with your bargaining committee on this round of bargaining. I was pleased to be your representative in the last round of bargaining in 2015, and am very much looking forward to working with all of you again. Your current collective agreement expires March 31st, 2018, so negotiations between your Employer and the BCGEU will begin shortly. W...

November 21, 2017

Bargaining Update # 1 for Island Crisis Care Society - BCGEU

Your bargaining committee met last week to develop bargaining strategies and review the many priorities brought forward by you. Thank you. Based upon those suggestions we have developed many proposals to take to the bargaining table. Bargaining is set to commence on November 30th. We are bound by the Labour Relations Board to not discuss proposals and strategies outside the bargaining committee...

November 21, 2017

The National Inquiry into into Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girl...

        On November 1, 2017 the commissioners for the National Inquiry into Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls released their interim report, Our Women and Girls are Sacred. As an organization with standing in the Inquiry, the BCGEU has carefully reviewed the 118-page report which clearly demonstrates the enormous scope of the Inquiry. The report includes some very startling statis...