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COMPONENT 6 - SOCIAL, INFORMATION AND HEALTH

Component 6 primarily includes members work for the Government of B.C. in a variety of social, cultural, educational, information technology, research, health care delivery and associated direct technical support functions. Component 6 also includes members who perform services in these fields at employers contracted by the government.

NEWS & UPDATES

July 20, 2017

BCGEU, NUPGE pledge $100,000 donation to B.C. wildfire relief - BCGEU

The B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU) announced today that it has joined with its national affiliate, the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) to pledge a $100,000 donation to the Red Cross to help with wildfire relief efforts in British Columbia.  "We are pleased to contribute to the relief effort for B.C. residents affected by wildfires," says BCGEU presid...

July 19, 2017

Vote for Delegate to CLBC-BCGEU Collaboration Group (mid-term vacancy) - BCGEU

When the elections for delegates to the CLBC-BCGEU Collaboration Group were originally held in 2015, a delegate was elected from three broad employee occupational groups – Administration, QS and CPD. We have a mid-term vacancy created by the departure of Bryan Oulton. We want to thank Bryan for his dedicated commitment to this group and wish him well on his future endeavours. We are seeking nom...

July 18, 2017

BCGEU looking forward to working in the spirit of collaboration with new Premier

VICTORIA –   As a new government is sworn in today at the British Columbia Legislature, it marks a new era of leadership for the people of British Columbia. In marking the occasion, President Stephanie Smith noted that "We are incredibly excited by what the future will hold for Premier John Horgan, and a new government forged in the spirit of collaboration."  Under the leadership of Premier Hor...

July 14, 2017

Public Service Classification Appeal Information for FLNRO BCGEU Members - B...

To all members in FLNRO affected by the Classification Review Project   We have prepared detailed information for members who would like additional information about FLNRO classification appeals. This includes information for those with existing appeals, how to file a new appeal, current FLNRO appeal process issues, and general job evaluation issues.  We will continue to provide updated informa...

July 13, 2017

BCGEU Recognizes the Unsung Superstars Behind the Wildfire Response - BCGEU

Over the past week, hundreds of wildfire fighters have been fighting over 200 wildfires across the province, and experts fear more wildfires are on their way. While firefighters, RCMP and paramedics are the emergency response units we see on the highways and on television every day, there are hundreds other public servants who are making this response possible. These are the workers doing admin...

July 11, 2017

The BCGEU Stands in Solidarity with Pacific Blue Cross Workers Locked Out of ...

The B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU), representing over 73,000 workers across B.C., will stand in solidarity with the workers locked out of their jobs by Pacific Blue Cross (PBC) in Vancouver.   On June 30th, PBC announced to its workers they would be prevented from returning to work if they continued a job action aimed at securing a fair deal for workers. During the latest ...

July 10, 2017

BCGEU President Extends Support to Communities Affected by Wildfires and Than...

On behalf of 73,000 BCGEU members, I would like to extend our support and solidarity to the communities affected by wildfires burning through much of British Columbia this week. With over 200 wildfires starting over the weekend, hundreds of B.C. families spent their weekend wondering whether their homes would be standing by Monday. As one of B.C.'s largest unions, we know that hundreds of our m...

July 10, 2017

Re: FLNRO Classification Review Project - BCGEU

To all members whose positions have been reviewed through the FLNRO Classification Review Project (CRP) As you know from the Deputy Minister's recent announcement, the CRP undertaken by the BC Public Service Agency (PSA) has concluded. While the ministry has completed the review process, we have worked to ensure this process was completed this year. We did this with the creation of a sub commi...

July 10, 2017

Forensic Psychiatric Hospital WCB investigation completed for June 13 assault...

On June 13, 2017 a BCGEU health care worker was assaulted by a patient that had been in seclusion for the past 3 years.  A WCB prevention officer has now investigated the incident and has written an order that the employer failed to conduct a proper risk assessment because "previous experience in the workplace" was not properly considered in their risk assessment.  The inspection report will be...

July 10, 2017

Closure of REACH Daycare a significant loss for the community - BCGEU

REACH Daycare and Young Parent Centre in Langford will close at the end of September representing a tremendous loss of community for families who rely on the centre. Due in part to lack of provincial funding, this closure will leave some young parents without the support they need to complete their education, creating a gap in valuable social services. REACH Daycare provides early learning and ...

July 10, 2017

Williams Lake Area Office Temporary Closure - BCGEU

There is a temporary closure of the Williams Lake Area Office (Area 06) due to the fire conditions in the area. All calls to the office have been re-routed to the Prince George Area Office. We will update you once we have more information.

July 05, 2017

Prince George Pride Parade - July 8, 2017 - BCGEU

Pride Season is here again in Prince George!   We want to encourage everyone to join in the fun! This year is expected to be the biggest yet! Date: July 8, 2017 Start: 11:00 am Where: Parade begins at the Veterans Plaza at 100 Patricia Blvd If you would like to join the BCGEU in the parade we will be meeting at 9:30 am behind City Hall, look for the BCGEU flags. If you need more information, pl...

July 05, 2017

Victoria Pride Parade - July 9, 2017 - BCGEU

Pride Season is here again in Victoria!   We want to encourage everyone to join in the fun! This year is expected to be the biggest yet! Date: July 9, 2017 Start: 11:00 am Where: Parade begins at Pandora and Government If you would like to join the BCGEU in the parade we will be meeting between 8:30 am and 10:00 am at the corner of Pandora and Government, look for the BCGEU flag. If you need mo...

July 05, 2017

More violence at Forensic Psychiatric Hospital as BCGEU calls on PHSA board o...

Another staff member at Forensic Psychiatric Hospital (FPH) in Coquitlam, operated by the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA), has been assaulted after being asked to escort a patient exhibiting aggressive behaviour to a seclusion room. Staff members are not provided with protective gear at FPH.  "The ongoing violence at FPH is due to an imbalance created by bringing dangerous individua...

July 02, 2017

BCGEU Celebrates Canada Day 150 Plus - BCGEU

On Saturday July 1, 2017 Canada celebrated its 150th birthday. While many took part in celebrations across the country, others chose this important date to make us aware of some of the more disturbing aspects of our history.  The Indigenous peoples of this land governed themselves for thousands of years before colonization by Europeans just 300 years ago.       What happened 150 years ago?  In ...

June 29, 2017

BCGEU congratulates the NDP as they prepare to form government - BCGEU

The BCGEU congratulates John Horgan and the BC NDP as we move into a new era of leadership in our province. “We look forward to working with the new government,” says BCGEU president Stephanie Smith. “We are optimistic that the alliance between the BC NDP and BC Greens will move us towards a British Columbia that lifts up all people, provides a transparent and accountable government, and protec...

June 28, 2017

Stephanie Smith: Post-Convention Address - BCGEU

Stephanie Smith, BCGEU President, reflects on your union's recent convention, and talks about the work we're going to do together to make our union stronger.  

June 26, 2017

As provinces seek the 'right' price for pot, how it's sold could matter - BCGEU

Provincial finance ministers are getting a clear message from the federal government this week: Keep taxes on legal marijuana sales consistently low across Canada, or risk undercutting the government's goal of ending black market cannabis sales. But provincial governments may find that enticing consumers to buy legal marijuana over illicit weed will take more than just tweaking tax rates. The q...

June 26, 2017

Vancouver's grocery store liquor policy not restrictive enough, addictions ex...

The City of Vancouver has made changes to its liquor policy - including allowing for a store-in-store model for grocery store liquor sales - but one addictions expert says the changes make alcohol-use too permissive and put vulnerable people at risk. The city chose the store-in-store model - where grocers can create a separated liquor area with its own cashier - precisely because it was more re...

June 26, 2017

Liquor policy review: Vancouver council allows grocery stores to sell booze -...

  As part of a suite of changes to its liquor policy, Vancouver city council is allowing grocery stores to sell wine, beer and liquor. The sale of booze inside grocery stores will be done through the "store-within-a-store" model that will require a separate checkout.   Read more... 

June 23, 2017

Update #3 - BC Nurses and Chiron Health Services bargaining - BCGEU

The Corrections branch was recently advised that the BC Nurses have served strike notice against Chiron, the health services provider in BC correctional centers.   Chiron and the Nurses are still in the process of negotiating essential services levels through the Labour Relations Board (LRB). The provincial government and BCGEU are not direct parties to this dispute.   We further understand tha...

June 22, 2017

BC Liberal throne speech rings hollow to British Columbia voters - BCGEU

By releasing major elements of their final throne speech before presenting it in the legislature, the B.C. Liberal government has signalled a cynical about-face on major policy issues that rings hollow to B.C. voters, says the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union. "For the past 16 years, the B.C. Liberal government has ignored the needs of B.C.'s most vulnerable citizens and working fam...

June 21, 2017

BCGEU Celebrates National Aboriginal Day - BCGEU

This year is a special year for the BCGEU as we celebrate National Aboriginal Day. We're so incredibly proud of the great strides that BCGEU members – both new and experienced – have taken over the past year to strengthen relationships with our allies in Aboriginal communities around the province. In just the last twelve months, we've welcomed employees at Fraser Valley Aboriginal Child and Fam...

June 20, 2017

Celebrate National Aboriginal with the BCGEU at Trout Lake - BCGEU

The BCGEU is proud to celebrate National Aboriginal Day with our members and community allies across the province. The day's celebrations begin with breakfast at the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society and will be followed by the march to Trout Lake for the opening of the afternoon festival. The BCGEU is a proud sponsor of the morning breakfast and encourages members to join us in vo...

June 20, 2017

Election for Local 604 Executive - Chairperson - BCGEU

The BCGEU is holding an election for the position of the Local 604 Executive - Chairperson. Candidate statements are attached for those candidates who provided them: Harbinder Gill John Rogers  Congratulations to Julia Kim who has been acclaimed as the Local 604 Recording Secretary.  Ballots for the Chairperson election will be available from your stewards and contacts at the worksite startin...

June 19, 2017

Elections for Local 601 Executive - BCGEU

The BCGEU is holding elections for the following positions of the Local 601 Executive. Candidate statements are attached for those candidates who provided them: Member at Large: Justin Bodnar Veronica Barlee Darcy Houston Daniel Casey Jeremy Marczak Youth Member at Large:  Alexandra Richardson Desiree Cabecinha   Ballots are available from your stewards and contacts at the worksite. You m...

June 19, 2017

New team elected to lead BCGEU to 2020 - BCGEU

Delegates at the 2017 BCGEU Constitutional Convention have elected our new leadership team. As expected, Stephanie Smith was acclaimed as BCGEU president. This will be her second term as president after serving one term as treasurer between 2011 and 2014. Smith is the union's first elected woman president. Paul Finch was also acclaimed for a second term as treasurer. Elected or re-elected to th...

June 15, 2017

Response to media statement by executive director with the Forensic Psychiatr...

In response to a media release the BCGEU issued yesterday – Chronic failure by PHSA to protect staff at Forensic Psychiatric Hospital (FPH) leads to another assault on health care worker – we were disappointed that Angela Draude, provincial executive director with the Forensic Psychiatric Services Commission, said she "hasn't personally heard a request for protective equipment from the BCGEU" i...