NEWS & UPDATES
October 10, 2018
Local 403 Members at Sienna Living at Mayfair Terrace - Worksite Visit - BCGEU
All BCGEU members at Mayfair Terrace are invited to drop by the Staff Lunchroom between 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm, before or after the start of your work shift or during a scheduled break.
When: Wednesday, October 17, 2018
Drop in any time between 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Where: Staff Lunchroom
This meeting is a real opportunity to bring forward any concerns or questions you may have to the Union an...
October 10, 2018
Local 403 Members at BC CDC (PHSA) - Worksite Visit - BCGEU
All BCGEU Local 403 members at BCCDC are invited to drop by the Main Lobby at BCCDC between 8:30 am – 11:30 am, before or after the start of your work shift or during a scheduled break.
When: Tuesday, October 16, 2018
Drop in any time between 8:30 am - 11:30 am
Where: The Main Lobby at BCCDC
This meeting is a real opportunity to bring forward any concerns or questions you may have to ...
October 10, 2018
Local 403 Members at BC Emergency Health Services (PHSA) working at 1867 West...
All BCGEU members at BCEHS are invited to drop by the Kodiak Room between 13:30 pm and 16:30 pm, before or after the start of your work shift or during a scheduled break.
When: Tuesday, October 16, 2018
Drop in any time between 13:30 pm - 16:30 pm
Where: The Kodiak Room
This meeting is a real opportunity to bring forward any concerns or questions you may have to the Union and to meet ...
October 10, 2018
Local 403 Members at Well-Being (Renfrew Care Centre) - Worksite Visit - BCGEU
All BCGEU members at Renfrew Care Centre are invited to drop by the Staff Lunchroom between 11:30 am – 1:30 pm OR 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm, before or after the start of your work shift or during a scheduled break.
When: Tuesday, October 16, 2018
Drop in any time between 11:30 am – 1:30 pm OR 3:30 pm – 4:30pm
Where: Staff Lunchroom
This meeting is a real opportunity to bring forward any concerns...
October 10, 2018
Local 403 Members at Kopernik Lodge - Worksite Visit - BCGEU
All BCGEU members at Kopernik Lodge are invited to drop by the Staff Lunchroom between 09:00 am and 11:00 am, before or after the start of your work shift or during a scheduled break.
When: Monday, October 15, 2018
Drop in any time between 09:00 am - 11:00 am
Where: Staff Lunchroom
This meeting is a real opportunity to bring forward any concerns or questions you may have to the Union ...
October 09, 2018
New resource guide to First Nations acknowledgements, protocol and terminolog...
There is a groundswell of change happening in Canada with respect to relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. The BCGEU has always strived to be a positive ally to Indigenous Peoples and as part of our ongoing work to put this commitment into action, I am pleased to provide you with a copy of the BCGEU guide to First Nations acknowledgement, protocol & terminology. D...
October 05, 2018
Labour Endorsed Candidates - BCGEU
Local government elections are your opportunity to influence decision-making in your community by electing mayors, councilors, regional district directors, school board trustees and other representatives who will take action on issues that matter for working people; issues like affordable housing, inclusive schools, and keeping services public. Polls will be open in every community across the p...
October 04, 2018
Local 404 Members at Well Being Services (RHSV) Ltd. - Strike Vote Scheduled ...
Your bargaining committee met again with the employer on September 28, 2018 to work towards a tentative renewal agreement to bring back for your approval. Unfortunately, it quickly became evident that the parties remained too far apart and we were not going to be able to reach agreement. We have reached impasse and have scheduled a drop-in meeting for a strike vote.
The issues that remain outst...
October 04, 2018
Negotiations Commence for Elim Christian Care Society - BCGEU
Your bargaining committee met with the employer on September 17th and tabled all non-monetary proposals at that time. The Union's package was comprehensive and covered many issues that range from "housekeeping", which is simple corrections in spelling, punctuation and location of language within the collective agreement, to harassment and domestic abuse. The employer also tabled a small package...
October 04, 2018
Sisters In Spirit Vigils - A movement for social change - BCGEU
October 4th is a day to honour the lives of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) and their families. The Native Women's Association of Canada invites all family members, Indigenous community members and allies to take some reflective time on October 4th to attend a vigil or a community event or take a moment of silence to honour our stolen sisters and to support all families ...
October 03, 2018
Casino workers say they cannot get by on Gateway wages - BCGEU
Striking workers speak out about need for family-supporting wages
(Thompson-Okanagan) As the strike at Gateway Casinos in the Thompson-Okanagan continues, BC Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU) members are opening up about why they are holding out for fair wages despite being on the picket line for over three months.
"Over the years I've struggled as a single mom to make ends meet,"...
October 03, 2018
Interim Steward Elections – Voting at Three Links Manor - BCGEU
Although there is no obligation to conduct a second vote, out of utmost caution and transparency, we will re-do the balloting for interim steward elections at Three Links Manor. Please be advised that any votes previously cast will not count. Please ensure to vote again during the dates listed below.
Positions: Steward (1)
Alternate steward (1)Candidates: Jamie Roussel
...
October 02, 2018
President’s bulletin to members on the introduction of the Poverty Reduction ...
Since November 2017 it has been my honour to serve as a member of the Minister's Advisory Forum on Poverty Reduction-a diverse and dynamic group made up of 27 people from the non-profit sector, labour, business, academia, local government, health care, social services, First Nations and Indigenous communities and including people with lived experience of poverty.
The Forum was created to serve ...
October 01, 2018
With a focus on improving the public health care system, health science profe...
The Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association (HSPBA) completed a third week of bargaining last week with the Health Employers' Association of BC (HEABC). Talks to negotiate a new collective agreement will resume again tomorrow. Discussions have centred on measures to enhance job security, including addressing internal equity issues, improving the delivery of disability management pr...
October 01, 2018
Local 407 Members at Creekside Landing Ltd. - Update on Bargaining - BCGEU
Your bargaining committee met with your employer on September 27th and 28th. Some progress was made and we will continue to work hard to address the priorities you have identified.
Further bargaining dates have been scheduled for October 11th and 12th.
In solidarity,
Sheree Dodds – Bargaining chairpersonShane Stoddart – Bargaining committee member Tamara Nicholls – Bargaining committee membe...
September 28, 2018
Union challenging undemocratic ICBA referendum lawsuit - BCGEU
VANCOUVER - The BC Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU) was granted intervenor status with the right to call evidence by the B.C. Supreme Court Thursday in response to the petition brought forth by the Independent Contractors and Business Association (ICBA), the Canada West Construction Union and private citizen Kenneth Baerg. The petition challenges the provincial government's propo...
September 26, 2018
Strike Vote Results for Well Being Services White Rock Seniors Village Ltd. -...
Thanks to everyone who participated in the strike vote yesterday. Although we had hoped to provide the strike results last night, we were unable to do so. The ballots were counted this morning and the results are as follows:
69 ballots issued
69 ballots returned
66 in favour of strike
3 spoiled
Therefore, members voted 95.65% in favour of strike.Your bargaining committee would like to thank ...
September 26, 2018
BCGEU applauds provincial government's decision to lower annual rent increase
The BCGEU is encouraged by the government's decision to lower annual rent increases by capping them to inflation. This was one of the recommendations outlined earlier this week by the BC Rental Housing Task Force.
"There is no solution to the housing affordability crisis that doesn't include rental affordability so we are very pleased with the government's decision to cap the maximum allowable ...
September 25, 2018
Improvements to front line services for seniors welcome, and long overdue. - ...
New Westminster – Today Health Minister Adrian Dix, and Premier John Horgan announced important new funding for seniors in British Columbia. The government is increasing the budget for staffing, retention, and training by $240 million dollars in the next three years, with $50 million in this calendar year.
BCGEU President Stephanie Smith reflected on today's announcement: "More money for staff...
September 24, 2018
Report - Seniors at Home and in Long-Term Care – A 2017/18 Snapshot - BCGEU
Last week the B.C. Seniors Advocate release the report Seniors at Home and in Long-Term Care – A 2017/18 Snapshot. The report highlights the latest health data for B.C. residents receiving home care and living in long-term care facilities, and raises the following questions: • Why is our use of antipsychotics so high? • Why do we have higher rates of renal failure? • Why do we see higher ...
September 24, 2018
Health science professionals complete second week of bargaining - BCGEU
Health science professionals complete second week of bargaining
The Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association (HSPBA) completed a second week of bargaining last week with the Health Employers' Association of BC (HEABC) to negotiate a new collective agreement for their 18,000 members.
The parties are currently working through issues such as addressing shortages and promoting stabili...
September 24, 2018
BCGEU celebrates National Forest Week: Sept. 23-29, 2018 - BCGEU
Each year National Forest Week (NFW) is celebrated by individual citizens, governments and non-governmental organizations across Canada.
Established in 1920 as Forest Fire Prevention Week, there was no shortage of trees for industrial expansion – at a time the time when the main threat to forests was from forest fires, many caused by humans. In 1967 the name was changed to National Forest W...
September 21, 2018
Members at Component 4 Well Being Services White Rock Seniors Village Strike ...
To: All BCGEU Members at Component 4 Well Being Services White Rock Seniors
Village Ltd
Re: STRIKE VOTE SCHEDULED
Further to our July 24th bulletin to members, your Bargaining Committee has now considered the options open to us to achieve a fair and reasonable renewal collective agreement. As part of that process you were consulted as widely a...
September 20, 2018
CLC Winter School 2019
CLC Winter School 2019
Course listings and registration for the Canadian Labour Congress Winter School (January 13 to February 15, 2019) at Harrison Hot Springs is now available.
Active union members are encouraged to apply online. Applications will be forwarded to your Component executive to make their selections on who will attend the school.
Registration cut off is November 2nd for all cour...
September 20, 2018
Members at Component 4 Willow Manor FYI Bargaining Bulletin - BCGEU
We are going to Mediation!
Following our last bulletin, we applied to the Labour Board for Mediation and are pleased to report that we have a date for Mediation for Thursday, October 4th. We will do our best to get a settlement on that day without going on strike.
Thank you for your continued support. We will be in contact with updates as they occur.
Your Bargaining Committee:
Valia Dimitrov, B...
September 19, 2018
BCGEU working to ensure worker safety at Forensics hospital - BCGEU
BCGEU working to ensure worker safety at Forensics hospital
The past few months have been very difficult for BCGEU members at the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital. Our latest count shows 22 patient-to-staff assaults since May. The latest attack by a patient saw 4 staff members injured, with 3 staff hospitalized with serious injuries.
Everyone knows this situation is unacceptable and unsustainable...
September 17, 2018
Fleetwood Villa collective agreement has been ratified! - BCGEU
We are pleased to advise the tentative agreement was ratified on September 14th. The renewed collective agreement is now in full force and effect. If you have any additional questions please don't hesitate to speak with a bargaining committee member.
Thank you for your support during the bargaining process.
In solidarity
Christine Gaundan-Nair, Bargaining Committee ChairpersonTammy Edgar, ...
September 14, 2018
Health science professionals complete first week of bargaining - BCGEU
The Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association (HSPBA) entered into bargaining this week with the Health Employers' Association of BC (HEABC) to negotiate a new collective agreement for their 18,000 members. The Health Sciences Association is the lead union in these sectoral negotiations. The BCGEU is represented at the bargaining table, along with CUPE, PEA and HEU.
"Our members hav...
September 13, 2018
Strike continues as Gateway Casinos refuse to release company financials - BCGEU
Union cites lack of transparency as reason for breakdown in talks
(Kelowna) Mediated talks between Gateway Casinos and over 675 members of the BC Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU) in the Thompson-Okanagan broke off last week after the company refused to release financial information to back up claims that they cannot afford the workers' wage proposals.
"Gateway says they can't af...
September 12, 2018
BCGEU demands WorkSafe investigate new assaults on Forensics hospital staff -...
BURNABY – The B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union reports that four staff members at Forensic Psychiatric Hospital in Coquitlam have been injured in another violent attack by a patient this week and the union is demanding that WorkSafeBC investigate security measures at the facility.
BCGEU members report that two health care workers (HCW) and two nurses were attacked by a patient on Se...
September 12, 2018
BCGEU members in health facilities begin bargaining for new collective agreem...
Bargaining has begun this week for the 2,000 BCGEU members employed in health facilities across the province. Your union is the second largest delegation on the multi-union bargaining committee after the Hospital Employees' Union (HEU) with roughly 40,000 members.
"Through bargaining surveys, you've clearly identified the issues you want to see dealt with in this round. It has been a long five ...