BCGEU Local Elections are beginning early 2022. 

Please find more information for your Local here

UWU/MoveUP

SENIOR RECORDS ANALYST
ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT
INTERNAL/EXTERNAL POSTING

May 16, 2022

The B.C. General Employees' Union (BCGEU) is one of the largest and most diverse unions in British Columbia. We represent over 83,000 members in 550 bargaining units in the private sector and public services.

The BCGEU is seeking an experienced senior records analyst to work in the union's Membership Records Department of Administration Services. In this role, the successful applicant will work closely with the Membership Records team in managing the Union's membership data, producing reports to support the business of the union, and overseeing the receipt of membership dues.

The successful applicant will work in our office located in Burnaby and report to the Records Team Lead, effective date to be determined

DUTIES:

The successful applicant will be the senior records analyst in a team of data management and entry staff. The senior records analyst will:

• Be the operational point person for the Membership Records Team;
• Analyze and streamline Membership Records workflows to continuously improve efficiency and data integrity;
• Plan and create user documentation for software applications and workflows related to the functioning of the Membership Records Department and provide support and training as needed;
• Manage, train, and support the staff of the Membership Records Team;
• Write SQL queries and scripts to pull and analyze data across multiple databases to generate reports that support the needs of the union;
• Work with the Records Team Lead to change how data is represented, entered or queried in BCGEU systems to improve alignment with the union's organizational structures and streamline access to actionable data;
• Sit on committees and consult with other departments at the BCGEU to provide advice and support on leveraging data maintained by Membership Records.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Applicants must have:

• Extensive knowledge and experience working with enterprise relational databases;
• Extensive experience using SQL to query backend databases to extract data and perform further analysis on the data using scripting languages and Microsoft Excel;
• Experience analyzing operational workflows to streamline, standardize, and document data management processes;
• Experience providing direction, supervision and mentorship to team members;
• A demonstrated ability to be proactive and work with minimal supervision, respond to high pressure situations, foster change management and continuous improvement, and work effectively in a group environment;
• An in-depth understanding and working knowledge of Microsoft Office productivity applications;
• An information technology related degree/certificate from an accredited post-secondary institution or equivalent work experience;
• A demonstrated ability and interest in developing activists' skills and maintaining effective working relationships with union and community activists as well as coalition partners.

Experience working with software developers to integrate new software into data management workflows and an overall understanding of the goals and values of the labour movement is an asset.

SALARY & BENEFITS:

Bi-Week: $4,009.04 – $4,355.48

Annual: $104,593.05 - $113,631.42

Regular full-time position. Paid vacation (5 weeks), comprehensive benefits package, enrolment in the Public Service Pension Plan. Travel is required; therefore, applicants must hold a valid B.C. Driver's license and furnish a union-made vehicle.

The BCGEU is committed to the health and safety of BCGEU staff and members visiting our offices. All employees with the BCGEU are required to provide proof of vaccination from COVID-19, as a condition of employment.

The BCGEU is committed to employment equity. Indigenous workers, workers of colour, women, 2SLGBTQI+ workers, and workers with disabilities are encouraged to apply for positions with the BCGEU.

Submit applications no later than 5:00 pm, Monday, May 30, 2022

 Resumes will be accepted by e-mail to: [email protected]

Attention to: Stephanie Smith, President, c/o Lisa Trolland

BCGEU FORT ST. JOHN AREA OFFICE

INTERNAL POSTING 

MAY 16, 2022 

POSITION: ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – Fort St. John Area Office 

GRADE: LEVEL 5 - MoveUP AGREEMENT

An Administrative Assistant is required to provide administrative support to the staff representatives in the Fort St. John Area Office.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

The successful applicant will perform Level 5 duties as assigned. Duties to include: processing a variety of documents on a personal computer, including collective agreements, meeting notices, bargaining bulletins, grievance letters, leaves of absence and general correspondence; calculating calendar deadlines for grievances, notice to bargain letters, appeals and expedited arbitrations; balancing and maintaining a petty cash fund, making purchases and issuing cheques from the imprest account, reconciling monthly bank statements, calculating charge backs to components/locals; coordinating, preparing and distributing materials for strike/ratification votes and elections; assisting component/local executive in performing their duties such as stewards'/retirees' banquets; arranging for union observers to attend selection panels upon members' requests; maintaining a filing system such as grievances, appeals, local, component, cross-component, stewards/officer information; responding to telephone inquiries and receiving visitors such as members, staff representatives, senior labour and management personnel, Provincial Executive; scheduling appointments; making travel and hotel arrangements; other related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

Applicants must have 2-4 years' administrative experience; high school graduation supplemented by administrative training; excellent Microsoft Word and Excel skills; keyboarding (40 - 50 wpm); database experience required; accounting/payroll experience a definite asset; an aptitude for organization and detail; good telephone manner and the ability to set priorities and work within time limits.

Hours of work are 32 per week, 4 days.

General aptitude tests will be administered to all applicants. Keyboarding tests will be administered to regular/temporary employees who are not presently working in or have not previously worked in an administrative position.

The BCGEU supports employment equity. Workers of colour, women, Indigenous workers, LGBTQ2SI+ workers and workers with disabilities are encouraged to apply for positions with the BCGEU.

The BCGEU is committed to the health and safety of BCGEU staff and members visiting our offices. All employees with the BCGEU are required to provide proof of vaccination from COVID-19, as a condition of employment.

Apply in writing with resume to Jennifer Ferguson, Human Resources Administrator, BCGEU Headquarters, by 5 p.m., Friday, May 20, 2022.

Resumes will be accepted by e-mail to: [email protected]

UWU/MoveUP

STAFF REPRESENTATIVE (Temporary)
ADVOCACY DEPARTMENT 
INTERNAL POSTING
May 12, 2022

The B.C. General Employees' Union requires a temporary staff representative to work in the Advocacy Department for up to 13 months or to return of incumbent. The effective date is to be determined.

DUTIES: The successful applicant will work as part of a team providing a wide range of advocacy services to the union and its members. Duties will include, but may not be limited to, representing the union and its members at formal arbitration hearings, at the Labour Relations Board, and other adjudicative tribunals.

QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants must have demonstrated abilities to analyze and identify grievance file issues, conduct merit assessments and either informally resolve outstanding issues and/or prepare and present a case at formal arbitration; deal with senior management and their counsel; prepare concise oral and written submissions; work effectively with union officers and stewards; handle a large volume of correspondence and speak effectively in public; demonstrated ability in problem solving and dispute resolution; an understanding of the goals and values of the labour movement; demonstrated ability to develop activists' skills and to maintain effective working relationships with activists.

Experience and training in the specific area of responsibility is preferred, in particular, experience in preparation and presentation of cases referred to full arbitration.

Travel is required; therefore, applicants must hold a valid B.C. Driver's Licence.

The BCGEU is committed to the health and safety of BCGEU staff and members visiting our offices. All employees with the BCGEU are required to provide proof of vaccination from COVID-19, as a condition of employment.

Salary and benefits are offered under a collective agreement. The BCGEU supports employment equity. Indigenous workers, workers of colour, women, 2SLGBTQI+ workers, and workers with disabilities are encouraged to apply for positions with the BCGEU.

Submit applications no later than 5:00 pm, Thursday, May 19, 2022

Resumes will be accepted by e-mail to [email protected], attention to:

Stephanie Smith, President, c/o Lisa Trolland.

UWU/MoveUP

STAFF REPRESENTATIVE (Temporary)
MEMBER BENEFITS DEPARTMENT

INTERNAL POSTING
May 12, 2022

The B.C. General Employees' Union requires a temporary staff representatives to work in the Member Benefits Department, effective date to be determined. The term of the assignment is up to 4 months.

The staff representative in benefits are currently located at the Fraser Valley Area Office and report to the Coordinator of Member Benefits.

DUTIES:

The successful applicant will work as part of a team providing a wide range of services involving administering and maintaining benefit plans for members in various public sector and private sector agreements, including Early Intervention Programs in various sectors.

Duties include responding to first level appeals for denied long term disability (LTD) claims by reviewing and analyzing new information provided by claimants and/or physicians, seeking further interpretations from medical consultants, and when required, requesting review of information on the claim; preparing members claims for LTD appeals where the collective agreement provides for a Claims Review Committee (CRC). This includes but is not limited to the Provincial Public Service, Community Health and Community Social Services collective agreements as well as some highways, colleges and independent collective agreements. 

Involvement in rehabilitation programs and rehabilitation committee meetings; actively participating in regular meetings and/or conference calls with selected groups to advocate, as well as building trust with members and facilitating relationship building with stakeholders.

Providing input on claims, trends, and activities for use in negotiations of collective agreements.

Other responsibilities may include reviewing carrier booklets, plans, and collective agreements and identifying differences relative to expected; drafting benefit summaries; monitoring and evaluation of Employee and Family Assistance Plans; making presentations on benefit issues at hearings, conferences, and membership meetings; participating on Joint Rehabilitation Committee; approval of STIIP trials; participation on Joint STIIP Committee and approval of compassionate transfer requests. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge and experience with group benefits within a unionized environment, as it pertains to collective agreement negotiations, and implementation.

Experience in the group benefits industry an asset.

Recent experience in disability case management, with specific LTD case management an asset.

The successful candidate must have excellent oral and written communication skills and an ability to analyze complex benefit plans, and negotiate creative strategies for individual members with benefit and rehabilitation needs.

The successful candidate will have strong advocacy and negotiation skills, the ability to work as a team member, and will have the capacity to help workers who find themselves in difficulties because of work related or personal health problems.

Travel is required, therefore, applicants must hold a valid B.C. Driver's licence.

The BCGEU is committed to the health and safety of BCGEU staff and members visiting our offices. All employees with the BCGEU are required to provide proof of vaccination from COVID-19, as a condition of employment.

The BCGEU supports employment equity. Indigenous workers, workers of colour, women, 2SLGBTQI+ workers and workers with disabilities are encouraged to apply for positions with the BCGEU.

Submit applications no later than 5:00 pm, Thursday, May 19, 2022.

Resumes will be accepted by e-mail to: [email protected],

Attention to: Stephanie Smith, President, c/o Lisa Trolland.

UWU/MoveUP

(Burnaby) - On April 27, the B.C. General Employees' Union (BCGEU) filed a Notice of Civil Claim in B.C. Supreme Court against Vancity Credit Union over the financial institution's unilateral decision to deny BCGEU members a jointly-trusteed, defined benefit pension plan that they had agreed to establish.
 
"Filing a lawsuit against an employer is an extraordinary step for any union to take, and filing this claim against Vancity is not a decision the BCGEU took lightly," said Stephanie Smith, BCGEU president. "But after years of delay tactics by Vancity capped off by unilateral withdrawal from the plan we feel this is our best option to force Vancity to honour the commitments they made in bargaining. Our BCGEU members fought for this plan, they won it in bargaining, and now we're going to the mat to make sure Vancity delivers on their commitment."
 
The lawsuit aims to force Vancity to honour the agreement between the two parties. In that agreement, which has been in effect since 2020 after being overwhelmingly ratified by union members, Vancity committed to work with the BCGEU to develop a jointly-trusteed, defined-benefit pension plan for unionized workers.
 
Joint trusteeship means that the pension is administered by both employer representatives and union members. A worker voice is crucial in making sure workers' pensions are whole and secure when it's time to retire. Jointly-trusteed, defined-benefit pension plans are the gold standard, providing more secure benefits for workers compared to solely-trusteed plans. Such plans have a preferred status under the BC Pension Benefits and Standards Act and Regulations when compared to an employer solely sponsored pension plan.
 
Despite agreeing to co-develop the pension plan with the BCGEU, Vancity repeatedly delayed the work-cancelling or postponing meetings and missing deadlines-before abruptly announcing their intention to offer their workers a solely-trusteed pension plan.
 
Click here to read a summary of the Notice of Civil Claim
 
"Vancity literally banks on its reputation as a company with progressive values," said Smith. "Our members work every day to maintain that reputation. Vancity customers choose them based on that reputation. It's time for them to live up to their reputation. We shouldn't have to sue them to make them honour an agreement they bargained with our members."
 
BCGEU represents nearly 1,000 workers at Vancity. The Notice of Civil Claim – S-223482 – was filed on April 27, 2022.
 
BCGEU is one of the largest unions in British Columbia, with over 85,000 members in almost every community and economic sector in the province.

UWU/MoveUP

VICTORIA, B.C. – The BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) is conducting a provincewide strike vote to give 33,000 members of their public service bargaining unit a voice in how to move forward in bargaining with their employer, the Public Service Agency. Negotiations between the parties reached impasse in early April primarily due to a significant gap in wage proposals.
 
“We’ve been clear from day one that cost of living protection for wages was the key to a deal this round,” said Stephanie Smith, president of the BCGEU and chair of the union’s public service bargaining committee. “It’s a fair demand and we know government can afford it but the employer tabled two wage proposals that didn’t even get halfway there. This vote is a chance for our members to tell their employer what they think of those offers.”
 
The strike vote will be conducted over five weeks starting Monday, May 16^th with a vote count scheduled for Wednesday, June 22^nd.

“This is the BCGEU’s largest bargaining unit and for more than one-third of these members this is their first round of bargaining,” said Smith. “This is their collective agreement and a strike vote is a major undertaking so it’s critical that we take time to make sure every member is informed and engaged and has a chance to vote.”
 
The BCGEU began preparing for impasse and potential job action early in the bargaining process, including negotiating with the Public Service Agency to determine essential service levels in case of job action. Essential service negotiations are expected to continue for several more weeks.
 
“We know that the best place to get a deal is at the table, and that is still our goal,” said Smith. “Experience tells us that a strong strike vote can be a very effective way to make that goal a reality.”
 
The BCGEU is the first of many public sector unions to bargain with the government in 2022. In total, almost 400,000 public sector workers have agreements that will, or already have, expire this year.

-30-

Media contact:
Danielle Marchand
[email protected]
Press Secretary-President’s Office
BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU)
Mobile: 778-968-4509

UWU/MoveUP

Over 70% of Independent Loblaw Shareholders Demand Supplier Audit Transparency
 

Union-filed shareholder motion earns significant support

Burnaby — Today, at the Loblaw (TSX: L) annual general meeting of shareholders, independent shareholders voted 72% in favour of a shareholder proposal asking for the company to release more information on supplier audits (34% overall). The shareholder proposal was submitted by the B.C. General Employees’ Union (BCGEU), an institutional investor in Loblaw.

Currently, Loblaw only discloses the number of audits it conducts with no additional information. Investors believe that enhanced information is required to ensure supply chain risks are being managed. The two largest proxy advisory firms in the world, Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) and Glass Lewis, both recommended that shareholders vote in favour of BCGEU’s proposal.

BCGEU filed the proposal following concerning supply chain controversies at Loblaw related to forced labour in the Uyghur region of China. In early 2021, Loblaw committed to not source cotton produced the Uyghur Region of China. However, according to shipment data compiled by Dr. Laura Murphy, Professor of Human Rights and Contemporary Slavery at the Helena Kennedy Centre for International Justice at Sheffield Hallam University (UK), Loblaw imported textiles from the Uyghur region of China as recently as August 2021. In addition, a CBC investigation found Loblaw has sold tomatoes produced with forced labour.

In response to the AGM results, BCGEU President Stephanie Smith released the following statement:

 “Right now, investors are in the dark about what is going in Loblaw’s supply chain. Our proposal asked a simple question: should Loblaw disclose more information on the results of its audits in line with its peers? Today’s significant vote indicates Loblaw shareholders agree it must. We intend to keep pushing Loblaw to manage risk and protect shareholder value.”

Both Walmart and Tesco disclose more details on the results of those audits than Loblaw.  Gildan reports results of supply chain audits and classification criteria for the results of supply chain data.

Loblaw is majority owned by George Weston Limited and the Weston family.

View the BCGEU shareholder proposal here (page B-2 or 87): https://dis-prod.assetful.loblaw.ca/content/dam/loblaw-companies-limited/creative-assets/loblaw-ca/investor-relations-reports/annual/2022/2022_Loblaw_Circular_SEDAR_EN.pdf

View BCGEU's investor letter brief: https://assets.nationbuilder.com/bcgeu/pages/896/attachments/original/1650903276/2022-037%20INVESTOR%20BRIEF%20LOBLAWS8.pdf?1650903276

About BCGEU: BCGEU is one of the largest unions in British Columbia, with over 85,000 members in almost every community and economic sector in the province. Under BCGEU's capital stewardship strategy, the union has submitted shareholder proposals at some of Canada’s largest companies on topics such as human rights, racial equity, and executive compensation. The union's strategy has succeeded in achieving strong commitments on ESG issues.

Today the BCGEU recognizes Red Dress Day 

Red Dress day is a day to honour our missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and two spirit people. This day first began on May 5, 2010 and has taken place annually every year since.

It's a day to raise awareness and give voice to those whose stories have not been heard. We hang red dresses in public and private spaces and also wear red on this day as a symbol of all those who are missing.

Red dress day began as the REDress project started by Métis artist, Jamie Black, to bring attention to the disproportionate number of missing and murdered Indigenous women across Canada and United States.

There are many ways to honour the day: wearing red, hanging a red dress, or attending an event near you:

Vancouver

Host: Pacific Association of First Nation Women

Vancouver City Hall

12:00 pm-2:00 pm

Details

Victoria

Our Womxn Are Sacred Walk

Begins at 10AM

Hallowell and Admirals Roads to Maple Bank

Details

Surrey