The bargaining committee met following the September worksite meetings to prepare for negotiations with the Employer. Items covered in the preparation meetings included: bargaining process and training; reviewing member input from bargaining questionnaires and worksite meetings; reviewing the entire collective agreement clause by clause; and preparing proposal packages for the bargaining table.

The committee then reached out to Themis and the BC Family Maintenance Agency (BCFMA) to schedule bargaining dates. The earliest dates that will work for the parties are in November; bargaining will therefore involve only the BCGEU and BCFMA as Themis will no longer be the employer. This will not preclude the parties from potentially making portions of the renewal agreement retroactive to the end date of the current agreement. The committee hopes to be able to confirm bargaining dates by the end of next week and will provide a further pre-bargaining update no later than the week of October 21.

Thank you for your ongoing patience and support. Please speak with the bargaining committee member from your worksite if you have any questions or concerns.

In solidarity,

Steve Kitcher, Bargaining Committee Chair
Debra Calder, Bargaining Committee Member
Brenda McIntyre, Bargaining Committee Member
Ryan Stewart, Staff Representative, Negotiations

Download PDF of notice here

UWU/MoveUP