The BC Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU) applauds today's announcement by the provincial government that it will build 1,500 new supportive housing units throughout the province for women and children fleeing violence. Over the next 10 years, government will invest $734 million to build this much-needed housing which includes transition houses, safe homes, second-stage and long-term housing. 

In 2017, the BCGEU released its report Collective wisdom: challenges and opportunities in B.C. women's services which described a sector greatly undermined by inadequate public funding. Among the report's recommendations was to improve women's services by investing in safe and affordable housing for women and children. 

"A long-term lack of funding for housing programs amounted to a complete failure to provide enough safe and affordable housing for the province's most vulnerable, especially women and children," says BCGEU president Stephanie Smith. "This investment, the first of its kind in 20 years, will reduce this pressure – both for the women and children in need, as well as for the workers that care for and support them." 

The BCGEU's report was the result of a March 2017 structured dialogue on issues facing the sector in which 60 BCGEU members who work in community social services (component 3) provided their input.

"Workers in this sector, which is largely made up of women helping vulnerable women, face significant challenges in providing resources where and when they are needed," says BCGEU component 3 vice president Andrea Duncan. "During our 2017 dialogue, our members made clear the urgent need for government to reinvest in vital public and community social services. We are so pleased to see government recognize this need and take action to provide this supportive housing." 

The BCGEU is one of the largest and most diverse unions in British Columbia with over 75,000 members and represents over 1,500 workers in women's services throughout the province.

Click here to download the report: Collective wisdom: challenges and opportunities in B.C. women's services

UWU/MoveUP

BCGEU HEADQUARTERS OFFICE
INTERNAL POSTING
May 18, 2018

POSITION: SENIOR ADMINISTRATION CLERK – MEMBERSHIP RECORDS

GRADE: LEVEL 4 - MoveUP AGREEMENT

The BCGEU requires a senior administration clerk to work in the Membership Records Department.

DUTIES:

Will be required to perform a variety of duties including input of new applications; production of cards; change/update member, steward and officer information; update dues lists; verify rosters, calculate and process strike pay; maintain and update database files; generate reports and labels from Unionware; switchboard relief and other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

High school graduation; good organizational skills; ability to work within a group; minimum one year office and data entry experience; keyboarding/word processing 40-50 wpm; efficient in Word and Excel; knowledge of the BCGEU structure; knowledge of Unionware; knowledge of SQL based and relational databases.

Hours of work are 32 per week, four days.

General aptitude tests will be administered to all applicants. Keyboarding tests will be administered to all applicants.

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

Apply in writing with resume to Sharon Penner, Human Resources Administrator, Headquarters, by 5:00 pm, Friday, May 25, 2018.

Resumes will be accepted by e-mail to: human.resources@bcgeu.ca

UWU/MoveUP

After five days of job action, a labour dispute at the Hard Rock Casino Vancouver in Coquitlam does not appear to be ending anytime soon.

Great Canadian Gaming Corp. said in a statement Monday that it has been granted an order by the B.C. Labour Relations Board prohibiting striking workers from blocking entry to the property. 

Read more...

UWU/MoveUP

Talks between Gateway Casinos and members of the BC Government and Service Employees Union have broken off.

On Tuesday morning, over a hundred employees of Gateway Casinos from Kelowna, Vernon, Penticton, and Kamloops rallied in Kelowna to push for higher wages.

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Employees of Gateway Casinos from Kelowna, Vernon, Penticton, and Kamloops gathered in Kelowna Tuesday morning to push for higher wages.

Negotiations between the company and the bargaining committee began back in January, but stopped abruptly in March, prompting Tuesday’s demonstration.

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UWU/MoveUP

A vocal group of employees from four of the Okanagan's largest casinos rallied in Kelowna this morning as their union headed back to the bargaining table.

Approximately 1,400 employees of Gateway Casinos and Entertainment Limited (which operates Playtime Casino in Kelowna, Lake City Casino in Vernon, and Cascades Casinos in Penticton and Kamloops) are pressuring the company to pay them a living wage.

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Gateway Casino workers will be rallying Tuesday for higher wages.

Members of the BC Government and Service Employees' Union working at Gateway Casinos and Entertainment in Kelowna, Penticton, Vernon and Kamloops are calling on their employer to improve wages, benefits and working conditions as contract negotiations resume Tuesday.

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KELOWNA, B.C., May 14, 2018 – Members of the BC Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU) working at Gateway Casinos & Entertainment (Gateway) in Kelowna, Penticton, Vernon, and Kamloops will hold a rally and deliver a petition to their employer calling for improved wages, benefits and working conditions as contract negotiations resume tomorrow. 

Contract negotiations broke off on March 21^st, but workers are optimistic that they are going back to the bargaining table with a strong message and are united in their fight for a fair contract. The petition has been signed by 95 per cent of workers at all four casinos and includes a demand for the highly profitable company to pay industry-standard wages, which would bring all employees above minimum wage.

WHAT: "Back-to-bargaining rally;" Gateway casino workers rally for a fair deal amidst contract negotiations 

WHEN: Tuesday, May 15, 2018 at 10:00 am 

WHERE: BCGEU Kelowna Office, 1064 Borden Avenue

UWU/MoveUP

Strike kicks off with rally at Hard Rock 

(Coquitlam, May 11, 2018) - Members of the BC Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU) working at Hard Rock Casino in Coquitlam are walking off the job Friday morning, in their escalating efforts to get fair wages, benefits and respect at work. 

Hundreds of workers and supporters will gather for a rally in front of the casino at 2073 Hartley Ave, Coquitlam at 1:30 P.M. on Friday afternoon. 

Negotiations and mediation for a first contract failed after both parties were too far apart on a number of issues including wages, benefits and hours of work.

"Many of the employees at Hard Rock haven't had a wage increase in over 10 years," said Stephanie Smith, president of the BCGEU. "Wages have not kept up with the rising cost of living and now a large number of workers are working two or three jobs and still struggling to get by."

Smith continued, "it's totally unacceptable for a successful company in the highly profitable casino industry not to pay a decent, living wage to the workers who ensure their success."

Hard Rock Casino Vancouver is owned by Great Canadian Gaming Corporation. Great Canadian announced, earlier this week, a 62% increase in revenue this quarter over the same period last year.

Employees at Hard Rock voted to join the BCGEU in May 2016 and have been trying to negotiate a first collective agreement with their employer since January 2017. When they reached impasse earlier this year, 99.5% of Hard Rock workers voted in favour of strike action.

Aside from improved wages, Hard Rock workers are also looking for improved health benefits, a more stable pension plan and fairness in scheduling and hours of work.

"We're looking for language that prevents Hard Rock management from forcing workers to go home early," said Smith. "How can a person budget when they can't count on working a full shift?"

BCGEU represents over 400 staff at Hard Rock working in table games, as slot attendants, cashiers, in the count room, kitchen, security, theatre and guest services. 

For more information, contact Erin Sikora at 778-238-0300.

UWU/MoveUP