NEWS & UPDATES
March 11, 2020
COVID-19 Pandemic Response - BCGEU
Today, the WHO declared that COVID-19 has escalated from public health crisis to pandemic. In plain language this means the public health priority has shifted from preventing the spread of the virus to slowing it down so that our healthcare system doesn't get overwhelmed by too many infections happening concurrently. In light of this, the Provincial Executive of the BCGEU unanimously passed the...
March 11, 2020
Strike action: stand with IBEW members on strike against Ledcor tomorrow - BCGEU
Our union encourages members in the Vancouver area to stand in solidarity with members of IBEW Local 213 on Thursday, March 12 at 3 pm in front of Ledcor's office at 1055 West Hastings Street downtown. These workers are fighting for their first contract with Ledcor. The strike began on Sept. 30, 2019. Their battle for a contract began more than two full years earlier on Aug. 31, 2017, when thei...
March 11, 2020
BCGEU calls on all employers to drop doctor’s note requirement amid COVID-19 ...
The B.C. Government Employees' Union (BCGEU) is encouraging employers to waive the requirement for employees to produce a sick note to access sick leave. The B.C. government announced last week employees no longer have to produce a sick note amidst concerns over the coronavirus. Read full article here UWU/MoveUP
March 10, 2020
B.C. employers must drop doctor’s note requirements to limit COVID-19 spread,...
B.C. employers must drop doctor's note requirements to limit COVID-19 spread, says BCGEU Burnaby, B.C.- In light of the ongoing concern regarding the COVID-19 virus, the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union is calling on all B.C. employers to waive the requirement for employees to provide a note from a doctor to access their sick leave. "We all must take appropriate steps to limit the s...
March 06, 2020
BCGEU celebrates International Women’s Day for an Equal and Enabled world
March 8th is International Women's Day (IWD), a time to recognize the remarkable achievements by women across the globe and stand in solidarity with calls for decisive action to promote gender justice and end gender-based violence and discrimination. The global theme this year is #EachforEqual An EQUAL World is an ENABLED World.
"As an out and proud feminist who has the privilege to be surround...
March 05, 2020
BCGEU calls on LRB to bring Retirement Concepts members under one bargaining ...
The B.C. Government & Service Employees' Union (BCGEU) has filed a common employer application at the BC Labour Relations Board (LRB) seeking to consolidate all nine of the union's bargaining units with Well Being Services/Retirement Concepts (WBS/RC) into a single bargaining unit. The move to a single bargaining unit would position the union and its members to address many of the issues th...
March 05, 2020
BC union shareholder proposal prompts RBC to confirm screening of U.S. privat...
(Burnaby, BC)Following a shareholder proposal by the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU), Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) has confirmed that it will not provide lending or financing services to companies including GEO Group (NYSE: GEO) and Core Civic (NYSE: CXW). These U.S. private prison companies operate the majority of U.S. detention facilities currently detaining migrant familie...
February 27, 2020
BCGEU analysis of provincial Budget 2020 - BCGEU
The BCGEU has prepared a detailed analysis of Budget 2020 to help members understand how the targeted investments in programs, infrastructure and affordability will impact members:
Budget analysis 2020/21
Although prudent and perhaps cautious in tone, Budget 2020 is progressive – which is much needed at a time when other provincial governments in Canada are implementing harsh austerity progr...
February 26, 2020
BCGEU seniors’ care workers reach deal to improve working conditions at long-...
Following six months of negotiations, over 500 BC Government & Service Employees' Union (BCGEU) members working at Broadmead Care Society in Victoria ratified a tentative deal this week that will improve conditions for both workers and seniors at the non-profit organization. Members secured wage increases, weekend shift premiums and the continuation of their Short-Term Illness and Injury Pl...
February 26, 2020
Coronavirus information for BCGEU members - BCGEU
As you are all likely aware, a new coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is causing respiratory infections mostly in Hubei Province, China. As of today there is one confirmed case of the virus in B.C.; however, according to the Ministry of Health and the Provincial Health Officer, the risk to British Columbians is considered extremely low. I want you to know that your union has been closely monitoring this s...
February 26, 2020
The public inquiry into money laundering has begun – your union’s opening st...
Just over fourteen months ago, your union launched the Public Inquiry Now campaign-making the BCGEU one of the first voices demanding that the provincial government call a public inquiry into the links between the housing affordability crisis, the overdose crisis and criminal money laundering in casinos. As you know, our campaign succeeded. And Monday I was honoured to take the stand in front o...
February 26, 2020
BCGEU brings the voice of working people to Cullen Commission - BCGEU
BURNABY – The BC Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU) was one of the first voices in the province to call for a public inquiry into money laundering in B.C. Monday, the BCGEU's president delivered the union's opening statement to the inquiry it helped create."We pushed for this inquiry because the housing affordability crisis, the overdose crisis and criminal money laundering were ma...