NEWS & UPDATES

March 09, 2017
Local 803 Enhanced Stewards Training
To: All BCGEU Local 803 Stewards
with Basic Stewards Training
Re: Local 803 Enhanced Stewards Training – April 4, 2017
When:
Tuesday, April 4, 2017
9:00 am to 4:30 pm
Where:
Lower Mainland Area Office
Suite #130 – 2920 Virtual Way
Vancouver, BC V5M 0C4
Agenda: This all-day training will give Local 803 Stewards a chance to review a few of the basics and get a more in-depth knowl...

March 08, 2017
We stand in solidarity with the Jewish Community in Vancouver
The BCGEU expresses its condemnation of the bomb threat made to a Vancouver Jewish Community Centre last night. This kind of violence and anti-Semitism must not be tolerated. We stand in solidarity with the Jewish Community, and the families affected by this event.
We are also heartened by expressions of support British Columbians are extending to the Jewish Community as we stand against hate ...

March 07, 2017
Happy International Women?s Day - Will you #BeBoldForChange?
Today, we?re proud to celebrate International Women?s Day 2017 ? Be Bold for Change. International Women?s Day is a day to celebrate the valuable achievements women have made across the world and a time to reflect on the progress made to advance equality for women. Despite these successes, we recognize that there are still many barriers and challenges that remain in working towards gender parit...

March 07, 2017
OHS Courses for Direct Government OHS Committee Members in the Lower Mainland...
"2 Day Joint OHS Committee Training" will be held on Tuesday, March 21 and Wednesday, March 22, 2017. "Ergonomics" will be held on Thursday, March 23, 2017. These courses will be held at the Burnaby Head Office? 4911 Canada Way, Burnaby from 9:00 am - 4:30 pm.
In the Joint OHS Committee Training course you will learn:
Worker OHS rights, including the refusal of unsafe work procedure
OHS le...

March 07, 2017
Convention Delegate Results for Local 802 members
To: All BCGEU Local 802 Members
Re: Convention Delegate Results
This notice is to advise the General Membership of the results of Local's Call for Nominations for 2 Convention Delegates.
The following individuals will be representing the Local at the 50th BCGEU Triennial Constitutional Convention.
802 Delegates
Belinda Walle – VIHA Health Unit
Marietta Bippes – VIHA SANDS Progr...

March 06, 2017
OHS Course - Vancouver Area - Prevention of Workplace Violence - Wednesday, A...
To all Labour Code OHS Committee Members in the Vancouver Area
"Prevention of Workplace Violence" will be held on Wednesday, April 19. This course will be held at the BCGEU office at #130-2920 Virtual Way, Vancouver from 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
In the Prevention of Workplace Violence you will learn:
The legislative requirements for a violence prevention program
The definition of workplace viole...

March 03, 2017
Local 811 REVISED March 14, 2017 meeting (Note: New Call-In Option)
LOCAL: 0811
DATE: Tuesday, March 14, 2017
TIME: 5:00 p.m.
PLACE: Diane L Wood Union Centre
Prince George Area Office of the BCGEU
500 Quebec St, Prince George BC V2L 0C6
AGENDA - ** REVISED **
Nominations and Elections of Convention Delegate(s) and Alternate Delegates to the 50th BCGEU Triennial Constitutional Convention being held June 14...

March 03, 2017
Local 803 - Call for Nominations for Interim Election
Members of Local 803 are advised that nominations are now open for interim elections for the following positions:
x2 Member at Large
x1 Young Worker
Nominations can be made by completing the attached nomination form and returning it by mail to:
Attn: Fateh Born
Staff Representative
Lower Mainland Area Office
#130...

March 01, 2017
BCGEU partner APSIES in El Salvador - women's empowerment
Supported through CoDevelopment Canada, APSIES is a grassroots organization that works in five rural municipalities in southeastern El Salvador to mobilize citizens to protect and enhance publicly-funded healthcare and other social services. APSIES takes a comprehensive approach to health as a human right, with a special emphasis on women?s empowerment primarily through education and capacity-b...

March 01, 2017
BC New Democrat Health Forum
Worried about seniors care? Concerned about long wait times and MSP hikes? Can’t afford to pay more out of pocket for health care?
Join New Democrat MLA Judy Darcy to share your stories and discuss solutions.
When: Saturday, March 11, 2:30pm to 4:00pm
Where: The Little Red Church Hall, 2182 Comox Avenue, Comox BC
Who: Judy Darcy, Official Opposition Health Spokesperson
For more details...

February 27, 2017
Have you seen our billboards yet?
Starting today, Seniors Deserve Better campaign billboards have been posted in five high traffic locations across the province:
Victoria (Pat Bay Hwy & Mt. Newton Cross Road)
Kamloops (Hwy 5 & Mount Paul Way)
Vancouver (Clark & Powell)
Prince George (Hwy 16 & Vance Road)
Kelowna (Hwy 97 & Westside Road)
If you see them, I encourage you to take photos and post them o...

February 25, 2017
Remembering Millie Canessa: July 20, 1927 - February 19, 2017
Mildred ?Millie? Irene Canessa
July 20, 1927 - February 19, 2017
Long-time trade unionist and social activist Millie Canessa passed away Sunday morning.
An ardent defender of human rights and social justice causes including gender equality and workers' rights, Millie dedicated most of her life to bettering her community.
Millie joined the Government Employees' Association in 1967, prior to t...

February 24, 2017
“Balanced” Budget 2017 tips the scales pre-election
BC Budget 2017
This week, the BC Liberals delivered a pre-election budget with uncharacteristic commitments to new spending. In his budget speech, Finance Minister Mike de Jong boasted about the province’s ability to make service and program investments after so many years of discipline and sacrifice by British Columbians.
Indeed—albeit on the heels of intense public and media pressure—there ...

February 23, 2017
A Call for Leadership: Revolutionizing Seniors’ Care
A Call for Leadership: Revolutionizing Seniors’ Care
A forum and strategy discussion featuring guest speaker Tamara Daly, Director of York University Centre for Aging Research and Education.
WHEN: Thursday, March 2, 2017
1:30 pm: Registration and coffee
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm: Formal program
WHERE: Glad Tidings Church, 3456 Fraser St, Vancouver
...

February 23, 2017
BCGEU supports report recommendation for more legal aid and court funding
The BCGEU commends the work of the Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch, for its recently released report An Agenda for Justice: Platform considerations. The report outlines serious issues facing B.C.’s legal system and makes numerous recommendations to improve services.
The recommendations supported by the BCGEU include:
Increased funding for family law legal aid;
Increased funding for sta...

February 23, 2017
OHS Courses for Direct Government OHS Committee Members in the Fraser Valley ...
"Joint OHS Committee Training" will be held on Tuesday, April 25 and Wednesday, April 26, 2017 and "Mitigating Workplace Violence" will be held on Thursday, April 27, 2017. These courses will be held at the Fraser Valley BCGEU office, 8555 ? 198A Avenue, Langley from 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
In the Joint OHS Committee Training course you will learn:
Worker OHS rights, including the refusal of unsa...

February 23, 2017
OHS Courses for Direct Government OHS Committee Members in the Castlegar Area
"Joint OHS Committee Training" will be held on Wednesday, April 19 and Thursday, April 20, 2017. This course will be held at the Prestige Lakeside Resort, 701 Lakeside Drive, Nelson, BC from 9:00 am - 4:30 pm.
In the Joint OHS Committee Training course you will learn:
Worker OHS rights, including the refusal of unsafe work procedure
OHS legislation
Roles and responsibilities of employers,...

February 23, 2017
OHS Courses for Direct Government OHS Committee Members in the Vancouver Area
"Joint OHS Committee Training" will be held on Tuesday, April 11 and Wednesday, April 12, 2017. This course will be held at the Lower Mainland BCGEU office, #130 – 2920 Virtual Way, Vancouver from 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
In the Joint OHS Committee Training course you will learn:
Worker OHS rights, including the refusal of unsafe work procedure
OHS legislation
Roles and responsibilities of emplo...

February 23, 2017
OHS Courses for Labour Code OHS Committee Members in the Castlegar Area
"Joint OHS Committee Training" will be held on Tuesday, April 25th, 2017 and "Incident Investigations" will be held on Wednesday, April 26th, 2017. These courses will be held at the BCGEU office at 2316 Columbia Avenue, Castlegar from 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
In the Joint OHS Committee Training course you will learn:
Worker OHS rights, including the refusal of unsafe work procedure
OHS legislatio...

February 23, 2017
OHS Courses for Labour Code OHS Committee Members in the Fraser Valley Area
"Joint OHS Committee Training" will be held on Tuesday, April 18, 2017 and "Prevention of Workplace Violence" will be held on Wednesday, April 19, 2017. These courses will be held at the BCGEU office at 8555 – 198A Street, Langley from 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
In the Joint OHS Committee Training course you will learn:
Worker OHS rights, including the refusal of unsafe work procedure
OHS legislati...

February 23, 2017
OHS Courses for Labour Code OHS Committee Members in the Terrace Area
"Joint OHS Committee Training" will be held on Tuesday, April 11, 2017 and "Incident Investigations" will be held on Wednesday, April 12, 2017. These courses will be held at the BCGEU office at 102-4710 Lazelle Avenue, Terrace from 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
In the Joint OHS Committee Training course you will learn:
Worker OHS rights, including the refusal of unsafe work procedure
OHS legislation
...

February 23, 2017
OHS Courses for Labour Code OHS Committee Members in the Cranbrook Area
"Joint OHS Committee Training" will be held on Tuesday, April 11, 2017 and "Incident Investigations" will be held on Wednesday, April 12, 2017. These courses will be held at the BCGEU office at 46 – 7th Avenue South, Cranbrook from 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
In the Joint OHS Committee Training course you will learn:
Worker OHS rights, including the refusal of unsafe work procedure
OHS legislation
...

February 21, 2017
BC Budget 2017 Response
BCGEU president gives a first-look response to the BC 2017 budget, from the budget lockup at the Victoria Convention Centre.

February 21, 2017
Budget 2017 does little to address public service deficit
The B.C. government’s election year budget sees modest increases in select public services, but does little to address the serious public service deficit stemming from more than a decade of budget cuts, says the B.C. Government and Service Employees’ Union.
Additional funding is targeted to politically sensitive areas that have seen serious service cuts since 2001, including the Ministry of Ch...