NEWS & UPDATES
2019 BCGEU Scholarships - BCGEU
Applications for the 2019 BCGEU Scholarship program are now being accepted. The union will award $60,000 in scholarships to students in post-secondary education. Full-time scholarships are worth $2,000 and part-time scholarships are worth $1,000.Apply online here.
Applicants must be:
A BCGEU member; or related to a current, retired or deceased BCGEU member or staff[1], and
A current or prospec...
March 18, 2019
The BCGEU supports Association of Legal Aid Lawyers strike vote - BCGEU
The BC Government & Service Employees' Union (BCGEU) stands in support of the Association of Legal Aid Lawyers (ALL) and their strike vote.
"B.C.'s legal aid lawyers help some of our province's most vulnerable people get access to justice, and as they demand the funding they need to serve British Columbians, the BCGEU stands in support of their strike vote," says BCGEU president Stephanie S...
March 15, 2019
Jobs secure as home support workers transition to health authorities - BCGEU
Earlier this week we let you know that home support workers in Metro Vancouver and southern Vancouver Island will be transitioned to the Fraser, Vancouver Coastal and Vancouver Island Health authorities. This is an important change that will bring greater security to workers, and better care to B.C. seniors.
However, as the BC Care Providers Association who represents private sector home suppor...
March 15, 2019
New Zealand Mosque Attack - BCGEU
Like all of you, I am angry and shocked and heartbroken at the news of the terrorist attacks in New Zealand.
Some of you know that I grew up and started my career as an ECE and a labour activist in New Zealand. I still have family and friends there and I think of New Zealand as home.
This attack feels very personal for me and I am writing to share my thoughts with all of you.
First, I want to e...
March 14, 2019
Contracting out to end for home support services in three health authorities ...
Today, Fraser Health, Vancouver Coastal Health and Vancouver Island Health authorities announced they will bring home support services in-house. This is great news.
Your union has been lobbying to bring home care support workers under government employment for over two decades in order to address the precarious nature of contract-based work with private providers. Under the health authorities, ...
March 14, 2019
BCGEU celebrates announcement to bring home support workers under government ...
The Fraser Health, Vancouver Coastal Health and Vancouver Island Health authorities have announced they will bring home support services in-house. The BC Government & Service Employees' Union (BCGEU) has been lobbying to bring home care support workers under government employment for over two decades and enthusiastically welcomes a change that will provide greater security to workers, and b...
March 13, 2019
803 -VCH–Strathcona Mental Health Steward Nominations - BCGEU
PLEASE POST IN WORKSITE
An interim election for Steward positions is being held to fill current vacancies. The successful candidates will serve for the remainder of the current term.
What do stewards do?
Stewards provide support and advice to members who think they are being treated unfairly. They make sure new employees sign union membership cards and provide information on BCGEU services. Ste...
March 11, 2019
Low Wage Redress – know your Benchmark/Classification! - BCGEU
One of the features of your new collective agreement that expires on March 31, 2022 is a $40 million fund for low wage redress.
Your entitlement to low wage redress payments will depend on your classification under the collective agreement. It won't be enough to know your grid level as jobs in the same grid level get different low wage redress amounts. Many members know their job title but fewe...
March 08, 2019
BCGEU celebrates International Women’s Day with solidarity and action - BCGEU
International Women's Day (IWD) is recognized every year on March 8. It's an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women and the extraordinary role women play in their families, workplaces, and communities across the globe. It's also an opportunity to acknowledge how much work remains to be done to achieve true gender equality and ensure all women everywhere are empowered to reach their ...
March 06, 2019
CORRECTION Casual Employee Benefits
Correction to Feb 25, 2019 FYI Notice
Did you know that as a casual you may be eligible for benefits? According to Article 29.9:
"Upon completion of 180 hours of work, casual employees shall be given the option to enrol in the following plans:Article 25.1 - BC Medical PlanArticle 25.2 - Dental PlanArticle 25.3 - Extended Health Plan
An employee who makes an election under this provision must en...
March 01, 2019
2019 National Union scholarships - BCGEU
Click here for information about the BCGEU scholarship program.
The BCGEU is a component of the 390,000-member National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE). Our national union offers its own scholarships of $1,500 each that reflect its pursuit of equal opportunity for workers.
Applicants must be:
the children or grandchildren, or the foster children or the foster grandchildren, of me...
February 28, 2019
BCGEU Demands Action to Improve Officer and Community Safety
The BCGEU is asking the B.C. Government to step in and take action to improve conditions in BC's adult correctional facilities. A report released this week by the Office of the Auditor General found that the Adult Custody Division of BC Corrections has failed to implement five of eight recommendations intended to improve the safety and effectiveness of BC's prisons.
"BC Corrections has had four...
February 28, 2019
Health Services & Support – Community Subsector - Update on Low Wage Redress ...
One of the features of your new collective agreement that expires on March 31, 2022 is a $40 million fund for low wage redress. This is different than the comparability monies distributed in the agreement that expires March 31, 2019 because it will be applied to a greater number of positions. You can find the collective agreement language HERE on the first page under "Low Wage Redress".
The ...