NEWS & UPDATES
December 14, 2020
BCGEU stands in solidarity with farmers in India
The B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union expresses solidarity with farmers, labour activists and other workers in India who are protesting dangerous new agricultural legislation that threatens the livelihoods of millions of families.
In September, the Indian government quietly passed or amended three Farm Bills designed to deregulate agricultural markets and open them up to takeover by ...
December 11, 2020
Well-Being Services – Renfrew Care Centre - BCGEU
This week you spoke to your union about the shocking conditions that you've been working under. There are so many unacceptable circumstances they are too many to list. Your courage and solidarity to support each other and the residents through the pandemic and now an outbreak are nothing short of heroic. BCGEU President Stephanie Smith wrote to Vancouver Coastal Health today to insist that they...
December 09, 2020
Lifelabs - Bargaining bulletin #1 - BCGEU
Your Bargaining Committee met in caucus on December 7th & 8th to begin preparations for negotiations with the employer. Our current collective agreement expires on March 31st, 2021.
Thank you to the members who submitted their ideas and recommendations in the online survey and through their shop stewards. We reviewed all your suggestions and we are now busily developing our bargaining propo...
December 08, 2020
All HSPBA members - Applications now open for professional development fundin...
Applications are now being accepted for funding to support BCGEU members who work under the Health Science Professionals Collective Agreement (HSPBA) and who are pursuing professional development.
The continuing funding was negotiated in the 2019 – 2022 collective agreement, with a $400,000 contribution to the fund each year.
Under the funding program, eligible expenses are the cost of tuition,...
December 08, 2020
All BCGEU Component 4 Members at HCN-Revera-Lessee (Whitecliff) - Update on B...
The bargaining committee met again last week to finalize our proposals to present to the Employer when we meet for bargaining. We are looking forward to presenting our changes, updates, and ideas for the new collective agreement.
We would like to give you the opportunity to voice either any concerns you may have or any new thoughts you've had about what you'd like to see in your collective agre...
December 07, 2020
All BCGEU Members at The Dorchester Retirement Residence - Voting Procedure -...
Voting on the tentative collective agreement will be conducted by mail-in vote, not electronically as previously stated.
Voting packages will be mailed out early this week so members should start to receive them either late this week or early next week. If you have not received your ballot by Thursday, December 17, please email Area07@bcgeu.ca.
The BCGEU Okanagan Area Office must receive your m...
December 04, 2020
All BCGEU Members at The Dorchester Retirement Residence - Ratification Meeti...
Please be advised a second ratification meeting is being held via conference call to discuss the details of the tentative agreement:
Date: Wednesday, December 9th, 2020
Time: 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Toll-free number: 1-833-837-5223
Conference ID: 532 808 678
It is important that all members attend this conference call meeting, as the negotiator will review the tentative agreement improvements ...
December 02, 2020
Ratification Vote Update - The Dorchester Retirement Residence - BCGEU
As there were technical difficulties on the ratification conference call on December 1st, we will be rescheduling the ratification conference call. As approximately half of the members do not have email addresses, the e-vote will be discarded and be replaced with mail out ballots. For updates on this, please check your Union board or talk to a Bargaining Committee member. For those of you who h...
December 01, 2020
N95 masks essential, BCGEU calls on government to take action - BCGEU
As COVID-19 cases continue to surge in our province, our union has written to the B.C. Ministry of Health asking them to step up protections for members like you working on the front lines of the crisis. We have asked the ministry to take urgent action to direct employers to provide N95 masks and fit-tests for all workers in frontline care scenarios, including in the home support sector.Read th...
November 30, 2020
New Book Recounts Worker-led Occupation at Tranquille - BCGEU
UPDATE - It is with heavy hearts we have to tell you about the passing of our dear friend Gary Steeves, a true champion of working people, human rights and social justice.
The devastating news comes as we and Gary were celebrating another great achievement of his, the recent printing of his book, Tranquility Lost: The Occupation of Tranquille & Battle for Community Care.
We are feeli...
November 30, 2020
All BCGEU Members at The Dorchester Retirement Residence - Ratification Docum...
Enclosed is a copy of the ratification document which outlines the proposed changes to the tentative agreement reached at the bargaining table. Please review this document and attend the meeting tomorrow (by conference call) as your committee will discuss the details of this agreement:
Date: Tuesday, December 1st, 2020Time: 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.Toll-free number: 1-833-837-5223Conference ID: 973 930 ...
November 27, 2020
All BCGEU Members at HCN-Revera Lessee (Parkwood Manor) - Bargaining Committe...
At the close of nominations, the following members were declared elected by acclamation to the bargaining committee for Parkwood Manor:
Shane Beek, Bargaining Committee Chair
Dana Hussey, Bargaining Committee Member
In the coming weeks, your bargaining committee, along with the assigned BCGEU staff representative, will begin preparing for negotiations with your employer. This will include tra...
November 27, 2020
BCGEU Members at Harbour Light DETOX - Update - Nominations for Bargaining Co...
After receiving member feedback, the nomination period for Bargaining Committee Member (3 positions) has been extended. Completed nomination forms must be received by:
Thursday, January 7, 2021 at 5pm
Each nominee may submit one page of biographical information, endorsements, or other campaign information (8 ½ x 11 sheet, black and white). In the event that we receive multiple nominations, this...
November 27, 2020
BCGEU Members at Harbour Light ARC - Update - Nominations for Bargaining Comm...
After receiving member feedback, the nomination period for Bargaining Committee Member (3 positions) has been extended. Completed nomination forms must be received by:
Thursday, January 7, 2021 at 5pm
Each nominee may submit one page of biographical information, endorsements, or other campaign information (8 ½ x 11 sheet, black and white). In the event that we receive multiple nominations, this...
November 26, 2020
Fleetwood Villa - Update on Bargaining - BCGEU
Your bargaining committee met for the first time this week to prepare to meet your employer in bargaining. We did a full read through of the collective agreement to identify possible improvements. We also discussed issues you are facing at work, and where we can make changes or updates to address those issues.
The bargaining committee has decided to extend the deadline of the membership surveys...
November 26, 2020
All BCGEU Members at The Dorchester Retirement Residence - Ratification Meeti...
A tentative agreement has been reached and the BCGEU is holding an important meeting (via conference call) to discuss the details of this agreement:
Date: Tuesday, December 1st, 2020Time: 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.Toll-free number: 1-833-837-5223Conference ID: 973 930 109
A copy of the ratification document outlining the proposed changes will be emailed out to members prior to the ratification meeting.
I...
November 24, 2020
Sun Village Retirement Residence - News on Bargaining - BCGEU
The nomination period has been extended for Bargaining Committee Member (3 positions).
Completed nomination forms must be received by Tuesday, December 1, 2020 at 5pm.
If there are more nominations than positions, these positions will be elected through online voting so make sure your Union has your current email address by logging into your Member Portal here.
Each nominee may submit one page ...
November 24, 2020
Salvation Army – Harbour Light - Bargaining Committee Nominations - BCGEU
Nominations are now open for:
Bargaining Committee Member – 3 positions
These positions will be elected through online voting so make sure your Union has your current email address by logging into your Member Portal here.
Each nominee may submit one page of biographical information, endorsements, or other campaign information (8 ½ x 11 sheet, black and white). In the event that we receive mult...
November 24, 2020
Salvation Army – Harbour Light Detox - Bargaining Committee Nominations - BCGEU
Nominations are now open for:
Bargaining Committee Member – 3 positions
These positions will be elected through online voting so make sure your Union has your current email address by logging into your Member Portal here.
Each nominee may submit one page of biographical information, endorsements, or other campaign information (8 ½ x 11 sheet, black and white). In the event that we receive mult...
November 20, 2020
Bargaining Committee for Vantage Living - BCGEU
At the close of nominations, the following members were declared elected by acclamation to the bargaining committee for Vantage Living:
Tina Campbell, Bargaining Committee Chair
Heather deLange, Bargaining Committee Member
Colleen Sarrazin, Bargaining Committee Member
In the coming weeks, your bargaining committee, along with the assigned BCGEU staff representative, will begin preparing for n...
November 19, 2020
BCGEU members win major victory for safe workplaces during COVID-19
I am writing to celebrate with you. Because of our solidarity and collective action, our union has won a major victory in our campaign to ensure safer workplaces across British Columbia.The Provincial Health Officer has just announced that wearing masks is now mandatory in all indoor public and retail spaces. This is a huge victory that shows the power of workers standing together to demand saf...
November 19, 2020
BCGEU members win major victory for safe workplaces during COVID-19 - BCGEU
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASENovember 19, 2020BCGEU members win major victory for safe workplaces during COVID-19BURNABY, COAST SALISH TERRITORIES – After weeks of surging COVID-19 case numbers, members of the B.C. Government and Services Employees' Union (BCGEU) have won a major victory in their campaign to ensure safer workplaces across British Columbia."This is a huge victory that shows the power of...
November 18, 2020
Lifelabs - Bargaining Survey – We need your input! - BCGEU
To prepare for bargaining to renew your collective agreement, your Bargaining Committee is looking for your feedback on what is important and what your priorities are.
Please fill in this survey by Friday, December 4th. If you know someone who is a BCGEU member, but has not received this survey, please pass it on!
If you were forwarded this email, make sure your Union has your current home ema...
November 13, 2020
Letter from the Premier regarding the loss of John Fryer - BCGEU
November 5, 2020
Stephanie SmithBCGEU President4911 Canada WayBurnaby, BC V5G 3W3Sent via email
Dear Stephanie:
As Premier of the Province of British Columbia, my thoughts are with you and all BCGEUmembers as you mourn the loss of John Fryer.
John was a tireless advocate for workers' rights, and he played a crucial role in transitioning theBCGEU into the union it is today. His career was underp...
November 13, 2020
Well-Being Services (NSV) Ltd. - Bargaining update #10 – Negotiations contin...
Your bargaining committee and employer met in negotiations today after having last met for two days back in August. Now that the outcome of the provincial election is final, both parties have more certainty about what lies ahead for the seniors' care sector, and specifically government's commitment to make the temporary pandemic-related 'single site' wage increases permanent. With this clearer ...
November 13, 2020
Emergency Health Services (PHSA) - Call for Nominations for one Shop Steward ...
Nominations are now open for 1 Shop Steward at your worksite.
This is an opportunity to be a workplace leader.
Please see your worksite Steward or your Union board for nomination forms if you want to nominate a co-worker or become a steward.
The Union provides training and you will be supported in your new role!
Nominations close at midnight, November 24, 2020.
In solidarity
Mahen RamdharryLoc...
November 12, 2020
Fleetwood Villa - Bargaining Survey - BCGEU
To prepare for bargaining to renew your collective agreement, your bargaining committee is looking for your feedback on what is important and what your priorities are. Please fill in this survey by Wednesday, November 25. If you know someone who is a BCGEU member, but has not received this survey, please pass it on!If you prefer to complete a paper survey, please ask for one from one of the bar...
November 12, 2020
Vancouver Regional Clinic (PHSA) - Calls for Nominations for 1 Shop Steward -...
Nominations are now open for 1 Shop Steward at your worksite.This is an opportunity to be a workplace leader.Please see your worksite Steward or your Union board for nomination forms if you want to nominate a co-worker or become a steward. The Union provides training and you will be supported in your new role!Nominations close at midnight, November 24, 2020. In solidarityMahen RamdharryLocal 40...
November 10, 2020
Facilities Bargaining Agreement) at Hawthorne Lodge - Calls for Nominations f...
Nominations are now open for 1 Shop Steward at your worksite.This is an opportunity to be a workplace leader.Please see your worksite Steward or your Union board for nomination forms if you want to nominate a co-worker or become a steward. The Union provides training and you will be supported in your new role!Nominations close at midnight, November 24, 2020. In solidarityMahen RamdharryLocal 40...