CLICK HERE FOR THE TIMELINE OF EVENTS IN BARGAINING

WHERE ARE WE AT RIGHT NOW WITH THE STRIKE? (Updated May 14, 2022)

Your union has reached out to the employer to invite them back to the bargaining table. Assuming your employer agrees to resume bargaining, the next step will be to establish possible bargaining dates.  
 
To send a message of good faith, we intend to tell Harbour Light management that once the current overtime ban expires at 1546 hours (3:46pm) tomorrow, Sunday, May 15, there will be no further strike action while bargaining with the employer.
 
We are hopeful that this return to the table will result in a fair and reasonable tentative agreement.
 
In the meantime, we will continue with strike preparations so that we are ready in the event we cannot reach a deal with your employer.

WHAT ARE ESSENTIAL SERVICES?

Essential services are the minimum staffing levels necessary for the employer to continue offering essential client services and care. “Essential” means anything necessary to prevent immediate and serious danger to the health, safety or welfare of clients. Those staffing levels are agreed-to between the employer and union.  Sometimes with the help of the Labour Relations Board. 

Once essential services levels are decided, your union can serve 72-hours strike notice.  We will inform you as soon as this happens. Strike action can begin immediately after the 72-hour notice has passed.

WHAT IS THE UNION DOING TO PREPARE FOR A STRIKE?

The strike coordinating committee has met several times to plan logistics and strategy for a successful strike. We have also trained the picket captains who will play a key role in supporting a strike. Your stewards are collecting current contact information to make sure you know what is happening. 

If you are not receiving information, contact one of your stewards.  They are:

• James GAREAU
• Christina PETRINA
• James THOMAS
• Monty QURESHI

Contact your picket captains if you want to get involved.  They are:

• Adriana Aronescu-Bodnarescu
• Greg CUMBY
• Ruth GARVIN
• Marc MITCHELL
• Jason MITCHELL
• Take MORI
• Monty QURESHI
• Philip TANG

 

WHY SHOULD I STRIKE?

Your bargaining committee has been negotiating with the employer since June 1, 2021, pushing for better wages, equality in the workplace, and recognition for the difficult and dangerous work you do. The employer has refused to agree to several key priorities.  Striking is a way to increase pressure on the employer to agree to what we are asking for.

 

WILL I BE PAID IF I’M ON STRIKE?

If the work that you do is deemed essential and you are working, you will continue to be paid your regular wage by your employer for the hours you work.

If you are picketing, you will receive strike pay and continue to receive benefits because the union will pay your benefit premiums. 

 

How much strike pay will I BE PAID?

Strike pay is 70% of your gross wages or $100 a day to a maximum of $500 a week, whichever amount is less.  You can not receive strike pay for more than 5 days maximum. 

This means that if you are fulltime, you will receive a maximum of $500 a week or $100 a day.

Examples:

Job	Hourly Rate	Weekly Net	70% Gross	Weekly Strike Pay	Weekly Difference
Shelter Worker	$20.41	$672.27	$590.67	$500.00	-$172.27
Support Attendant	$22.91	$582.76	$601.36	$500.00	-$82.76

 

If you are part-time, temporary, or casual your strike pay will be based on the money you make while working.  Contact [email protected] to find out how much you will be paid.   But they will not be able to tell you unless you have sent in your pay stubs.  How to do that is later in this bulletin.

 

Is strike pay taxable?

No. 

 

Do I have to BE part of the strike to GET strike pay?

Yes. You will need to do a minimum of 4 hours daily strike related duties that will be assigned to you by the Strike Committee.  That could be walking the picket line or some other related duty.  There are many roles to be filled and all members are expected to participate.

If you encounter extraordinary hardship, your union has a limited amount of funds for this need. 

 

What do I need to do to get strike pay?

1. Actively participate in the strike
2. Send your paystubs to [email protected]. It is important you do that immediately. Here’s how:

Cell Phone

Take a picture of your most recent pay stub

Email the picture to [email protected]

No Cell Phone

Ask your Employer to send to you your electronic pay stub 

Email the pay stub to [email protected]

Regular Employees:  provide your most recent pay stub

Casual Employees:  provide your pay stubs from the last 8-12 weeks

If you have questions or need help, talk to one of your stewards:

• James GAREAU
• Christina PETRINA
• James THOMAS
• Monty QURESHI

 

What if I don’t send in my pay stubs?

You won’t receive strike pay because we won’t know how much to pay you.  

 

How will I GET MY strike pay?

Cheques will be distributed to the picket line once per week. Your first cheque will arrive after being on strike about a week.

 

Will my financial information BE KEPT private?

Yes.  Your pay stubs will be stored in a secure database with restricted access.  We need to know your name, regular time hourly rate, current hours worked, gross pay and net pay.   If you want, black out all other information.

 

Is there another way to get this information (hours/wage)?

No.

 

Why is my strike pay different than my coworkers?

Strike pay is based on your hourly rate and the number of hours you work per week.

 

If I am sick during the strike, do I still get strike pay?

You must tell your picket captain you are sick. You will not be paid strike pay if you can’t participate in the strike.

 

Can I get another job WHILE the strike is going on?

Yes.  However, you should still try to come to the picket line for your scheduled shifts or at other times to show solidarity with your co-workers.

 

On the picket line

Do I have to show up?

Yes.  You are expected to participate in the strike. If you are unable to walk the picket line, please talk to your picket captain about other ways you can support the strike.  You must complete a 4-hour shift to receive strike pay.

 

How long will the picket lines be up every day?

7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

 

What will happen to our clients during the strike?

Our goal is not to hurt clients. A strike is a last resort that we believe will help the clients because the improvements we hope to achieve because of the strike will ensure people stick around.   Our goal is to put pressure on the employer.  To do that, we need to disrupt your employer’s operations. 

During the strike, clients will be able to access services considered essential.  Your managers will also be doing the work that you do when you’re not on strike.  For services that are unavailable during the strike, we will do our best to refer clients to another location where they can get what they need.

 

CAN I BE FIRED FOR PARTICIPATING IN A STRIKE?

No. That is illegal.

 

CAN SOMEONE ELSE BE HIRED TO DO MY WORK?

No. That is illegal.

 

WHAT WAS IN THE EMPLOYERS LAST OFFER?

For the full breakdown of the employers offer compared to the union’s proposals click here.

To see what your new wage rates would be with the employer’s offer click here

To see what you would receive in retroactive pay click here.

 

WHAT DOES THE BARGAINING COMMITTEE WANT?

Better wages, equality in the workplace, and recognition for the difficult and dangerous work you do.

 

How can I MAKE SURE I KNOW WHAT’S GOING ON?

The BCGEU will send regular email bulletins and hold membership meetings where necessary. If you are not receiving emails, please update your information at https://my.bcgeu.ca/login or contact your stewards:

• James GAREAU
• Christina PETRINA
• James THOMAS
• Monty QURESHI

 

WHAT IF I STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?

Contact your bargaining committee or staff representative, Zoe Towle at [email protected].