MCFD retention incentive announcement first step in addressing Plecas report recommendations

The BCGEU has been working with the B.C. Government on a process to implement the recommendations of the Plecas report on the Ministry of Children and Family Development.

To address these issues MCFD, the BCGEU and the PSA have held productive discussions and we are pleased to announce the implementation of the Retention Incentives Program for Service Delivery Division social worker positions in hard to recruit or remote communities across the province.

This Retention Incentives Program provides a $6000 annual lump sum payment to social worker staff in SPO 18 to 30 classifications residing in designated hard to recruit or remote communities; and a $3000 annual lump sum payment to social worker staff in the SPO growth series residing in these communities.   It is expected that approximately 250 staff will be eligible for this payment.  

“We congratulate the B.C. government for taking this important first step to implement the recommendations of the Plecas report,” says BCGEU president Stephanie Smith. “It provides a much needed financial incentive for social workers, as a recognition of the important work they do in hard to recruit communities across British Columbia.”

“We have an agreement with government that we will be pursuing negotiations on a framework to implement other recommendations in the Plecas report,” says Doug Kinna, vice president of the BCGEU Social, Information and Health component. “We will work to ensure that our members’ interests are fairly represented as the ministry adopts the report’s recommendations.”

The announcement of the Retention Incentives Program is a significant achievement and reflects both parties’ commitment to collaboratively and productively address issues that will improve outcomes for children and youth across the province.

The parties have also agreed to discuss the Plecas Report recommendation on social worker compensation. These discussions will commence by March 1, 2017 and will include senior representatives of the MCFD, BCGEU and the PSA.

Each day, our members make a significant impact on the children, youth, families and communities we serve.  Social work is one of the most difficult roles in government. The retention incentive program provides the Ministry with a strategy to continue to support our employees and create further opportunities for successful service delivery.

Download PDF file of Memorandum of Understanding
Download PDF copy of joint announcement to MCFD staff

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