Applications for the 2023 BCGEU Scholarship program are now being accepted.

Our annual scholarship program of up to $85,000 offers awards of $2,000 for full-time students and $1,000 for part-time students. Scholarships are funded by the dues of our members.

Apply online here

Eligibility

• A BCGEU member in good standing, or related to a current, retired or deceased BCGEU member or staff; and
• A student or prospective post-secondary or higher learning student enrolled, registered or planning to attend an eligible educational institution in 2023.

Eligible relatives include spouses, parents, and children or grandchildren (including foster, adopted and stepchildren and grandchildren).

Eligible educational institutions must be designated by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). Find a list of eligible institutions here.

Previous BCGEU scholarship recipients are not eligible to apply.

Essay

In addition to personal information and details of your education plan, you will be asked to submit a short essay or video submission in response to one of five questions:

1. Workplace health and safety is a core value of the labour movement. What role do unions play to ensure the health and safety of workers? How has health and safety in the workplace evolved? 
2. Describe a protest you have seen or taken part in and the positive ways it has changed your perspective, your life or your community. 
3. If you were a leader in a position of power, what steps would you take to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People and who would you involve? 
4. How has the rising cost of inflation affected your community? Has it impacted your ability to seek a higher education? How? What part do unions play to address the rising cost of living? 
5. What challenges have you faced in your life that led you to seek higher education? What helped you on this journey? What other resources would support this goal? 

The deadline for applications is Sunday, April 16, 2023 at midnight.

You may also be eligible for one of the scholarships offered by NUPGE, our National Union of Public and General Employees. Find details and apply directly here.

Download a copy of the 2023 scholarship brochure here

UWU/MoveUP

B.C. GENERAL EMPLOYEES' UNION 
SENIOR FINANCIAL SYSTEMS ANALYST
FINANCE DEPARTMENT 

INTERNAL/EXTERNAL POSTING
March 17, 2023

The B.C. General Employees' Union (BCGEU) is one of the largest and most diverse unions in British Columbia. We represent over 85,000 members in 550 bargaining units in the private sector and public services.

The BCGEU seeks an experienced Senior Financial Systems Analyst to join a team of dedicated staff supporting the union's core mission: uniting working people in BC in a democratic organization that acts on their behalf, promoting their social, cultural, and economic interests.

Reporting to the Director of Finance, and working closely with the Assistant Controller, the BCGEU seeks a Senior Financial Systems Analyst to provide functional support to users of the union's financial systems. The Senior Financial Systems Analyst will have a key role in leading the modernization of the finance department's systems and reporting processes as well as leveraging technology to improve internal controls.

The position is located at our Burnaby office. Effective date to be determined.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The successful applicant will:

• Provide ongoing financial systems support to the finance department and other key stakeholders within the union in the form of daily troubleshooting, systems maintenance, development of training material, subject matter expertise, and financial database management;
• Promote continuous improvement by identifying inefficient financial system processes and providing recommendations;
• Automate and modernize financial reporting processes by creating solutions including, but not limited to, designing and building Power BI dashboards and implementing database query solutions;
• Maintain a strong system of internal controls by leveraging system functions to define user roles, restrict access, and segregate duties in accordance with the policies of the union;
• Serve as the finance project lead, as required, for the upgrade or implementation of financial systems;
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams within the union to resolve issues and execute on project deliverables;
• Investigate financial system issues, seek resolutions, and serve as the key point of contact for software vendors/consultants as required;
• Prepare process documentation for financial systems and provide training to users as required;
• Keep apprised of developments in the field of financial systems and new applicable solutions which may become available;
• Other related finance and administrative duties and responsibilities as required.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

Applicants must have/be:

• a bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Finance, or a related discipline;
• achieved a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation;
• 5+ years of experience in a similar position;
• proficiency in the use of database queries and building Power BI dashboards, and/or other similar reporting tools;
• thorough knowledge of financial system processes and their impact on finance users and deliverables;
• advanced analytical, attention to detail, critical thinking and problem-solving skills;
• excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills, both verbal and written;
• ability to work collaboratively as a key member of a team and independently with minimal supervision;
• advanced skills in Microsoft Office applications;
• experience with the end-to-end implementation of new accounting software and understanding of project life cycles preferred;
• experience with Microsoft Dynamics GP (Great Plains) or a similar accounting software preferred.

SALARY & BENEFITS

Bi-Weekly: $4,499.22

Annual: $117,381.50

Regular full-time position. This is a unionized position, and all terms of employment are governed by the applicable collective agreement. Paid vacation (5 weeks), comprehensive benefits package, and enrolment in the Public Service Pension Plan.

Travel is required; therefore, applicants must hold a valid B.C. Driver's license. As part of your terms of employment, you will be required to have an approved, union-made, non-luxury vehicle upon successful completion of the six-month probationary period. Full details and conditions can be found in the BCGEU BCUWU collective agreement.

Upon request and successful completion of the probationary period, the successful candidate may be considered for a hybrid work arrangement.

The BCGEU does not reimburse moving expenses for successful candidates living outside of the greater Vancouver region.

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, March 27, 2023

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

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

UWU/MoveUP

ORGANIZER (Temporary)
ORGANIZING DEPARTMENT

INTERNAL POSTING
March 15, 2023

The B.C. General Employees' Union requires a temporary organizer to work in the Organizing Department. Term of assignment is up to 12 months or return of incumbent. Effective date to be determined.

DUTIES:

To perform a wide range of duties associated with organizing in the public and/or private sectors. To respond to calls and contacts from prospective members and effectively develop organizing campaign strategies, including employer research, recruitment and mentoring of inside committees, communications strategy, protecting workers' rights and getting out the vote.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Applicants must have demonstrated ability to organize workers, communicate effectively with diverse groups and deal with employers on organizing related matters.
• Ability to provide input for the development of campaign materials and assist with matters related to applications to the Labour Relations Board.
• Ability to mentor others and work in a leadership role with strong team-building and interpersonal skills.
• Extensive experience as an organizer is required.
• Experience as a union activist and a functional knowledge of the structure of the Union would be an asset.
• Working knowledge of digital tools and online meeting platforms (Nation Builder, Call Hub, Peer to Peer Texting, Zoom), online discussion forums and social media.
• Applicants with knowledge of indigenous issues, and experience working with the indigenous communities or organizations would be an asset.

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, Wednesday, March 22, 2023.

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

Stephanie Smith, President, c/o Lisa Trolland

The direct appointment procedure contained in MOA 16 Re: Equity Appointments may be applied for this posting.

BCGEU NORTH ISLAND AREA OFFICE 
INTERNAL POSTING
March 13, 2023

POSITION:          ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – North Island Area Office

An Administrative Assistant is required to provide administrative support to the staff representatives in the North Island Area Office.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

The successful applicant will perform Level 5 duties as assigned. Duties will 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, four 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. Indigenous workers, workers of colour, women, LGBTQ2SI+ workers, and workers with disabilities are encouraged to apply for positions with the BCGEU.

Apply in writing with resume to Jennifer Ferguson, Human Resources Administrator, Headquarters, by 5:00 pm, Friday, March 17, 2023.

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

POSITION: ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – North Island Area Office

GRADE: LEVEL 5 - MoveUP AGREEMENT

An Administrative Assistant is required to provide administrative support to the staff representatives in the North Island Area Office.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

The successful applicant will perform Level 5 duties as assigned. Duties will 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, four 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. Indigenous workers, workers of colour, women, LGBTQ2SI+ workers, and workers with disabilities are encouraged to apply for positions with the BCGEU.

Apply in writing with resume to Jennifer Ferguson, Human Resources Administrator, Headquarters, by 5:00 pm, Friday, March 17, 2023.

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

B.C. provincial budget released – read our union's analysis
 
Each year the B.C. government releases a budget that outlines their priorities for the coming years.
 
These budgets have significant impacts on BCGEU members, both at work and as residents of our province.
 
Our union pays careful attention to government's priorities and has prepared an in-depth analysis of the key points for BCGEU members.
 
While there are no new major initiatives, Budget 2023 continues to strengthen services with a goal of improving the lives of residents of B.C.
 
Budget 2023 focuses many of its largest investments in issues that our union considers crucial to the long-term future of BCGEU members and the health of the province as a whole:

• health and mental-health care
• affordable housing
• climate action and clean growth
• public safety
• targeted supports for cost of living

All of these are among our union's top priorities, and the BCGEU welcomes these actions and applauds government on putting people first.
 
Many of our union's other priorities are addressed in Budget 2023, and we will continue to advocate and push for those that were not, including:

• New investment in seniors' care
• Steps to remove private, for-profit providers from B.C. seniors' care
• Measures to improve tax fairness and to reduce extreme economic inequality
• Actions to address recruitment and retention of early childhood educators
• More expansive, direct investments in publicly owned and operated affordable housing stock

This new budget is responsible, thoughtful and remains committed to protecting and expanding crucial public services. Our union looks forward to working with government to implement these programs with a people-centric approach and pushing them to take additional action on our additional priorities.
 
Click here to read our union's full analysis of Budget 2023.

UWU/MoveUP

Burnaby, March 16, 2023

Shareholders will soon get a chance to vote on two proposals on racial equity at the Bank of Montreal (BMO) and Royal Bank of Canada (RBC). The proposals were jointly filed by BCGEU with Shareholder Association for Research and Education (SHARE) on behalf of the Atkinson Foundation.

This comes following announcements from both the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) and National Bank of Canada (NBC) who each announced that they will conduct and disclose the results of third-party racial equity audits. They join TD Bank, which made a similar announcement in April 2022. 

After engagements with both bank, either BMO or RBC commitments on racial equity, and as such these proposals will instead go to vote at their 2023 Annual General Meetings. Despite the new precedents being set by TD and now CIBC and NBC and TD Bank, both BMO and RBC have recommended shareholders vote against the proposals. 

A racial equity audit is an independent analysis of a company's business practices intended to identify and remediate potential and actual disparate outcomes for Indigenous people and communities of colour. The audit evaluates the merits of a company's efforts, policies and practices to tackle systemic racism in light of its racial justice commitment. 

BCGEU President Stephanie Smith says:

RBC and BMO's refusal to commit to these audits puts them at a disadvantage in a world where diversity, equity, and inclusion are increasingly important to customers, employees, workers, and investors. TD, NBC and CIBC may be the first Canadian banks to engage in this work, but they most certainly will not be the last. We intend to keep pushing banks and financial institutions on this critical issue." 

Colette Murphy, Chief Executive Officer at the Atkinson Foundation says:

The Atkinson Foundation is dedicated to social and economic justice. We believe financial institutions must play a positive role in helping people build inter-generational wealth and grow their businesses. Historically and persistently, banks have exacerbated the racial wealth gap, through overt policies, and unconscious bias. CIBC and NBC are taking an important step in committing to audits, which will help surface these issues and identify solutions that we can act on immediately together. 

Financial institutions play a key role in furthering racial equity in society, as they provide both businesses and individuals with access to essential economic opportunities.

Research has indicated that, when compared to their white counterparts, people of colour and Indigenous people are more likely to be denied loans, to be recommended products that were not properly serve their interests, or not offered crucial products at all such as overdraft protection and balance protection insurance.

By failing to provide equitable opportunities to people of colour and Indigenous people, banks have long perpetuated unequal wealth distribution. 

The decision by both BMO and RBC to forego conducting racial equity audits is particularly disappointing in light of their peers' recent commitments. 

According to Sarah Couturier-Tanoh, Associate Director of Corporate Engagement at SHARE:

When a company publicly commits to fighting racial injustice, it is expected that such a statement is backed up with concrete actions and measurable outcomes. Failure to do so is not only a missed opportunity to rectify racial inequities but also exposes institutional investors to meaningful reputational, legal and regulatory risks.

The resolutions at RBC and BMO will be the first shareholder proposals on racial equity audits to go to a vote at Canadian companies. Recently, numerous Canadian banks have faced controversy about the racial equity impacts of policies, products and practices, including the recent US$ 31 million settlement between the US Department of Justice and City National, an RBC subsidiary in the U.S., over allegations of redlining practices in majority-Black and Hispanic neighborhoods in California, signaling that SHARE's proposals are timely and critical. 

ABOUT BCGEU

The B.C. General Employees' Union represents over 85,000 workers in almost every community and economic sector in British Columbia. Under BCGEU's capital stewardship strategy, the union has submitted shareholder proposals at some of Canada's largest companies on topics like human rights, racial equity, and executive compensation. The union's strategy has succeeded in achieving strong commitments on ESG issues. 

ABOUT SHARE

SHARE is an award-winning non-profit organization dedicated to mobilizing investor leadership for a sustainable, inclusive and productive economy. We do this by supporting our investor network and amplifying their voices to improve corporate sustainability practices and implement better rules and regulations that govern capital markets. For more information on SHARE, visit www.share.ca

ABOUT ATKINSON FOUNDATION

The Atkinson Foundation is a Canadian charitable foundation committed to social and economic justice. Our highest priority is strengthening movements for decent work and a fair economy. We collaborate with community organizers, policy innovators and investors to challenge income, wealth and democratic inequality. Learn more about us here.

Supplementary Information regarding the Racial Equity Audit Proposal at RBC and BMO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 2, 2023

BCGEU and UBCIC announce partnership to push corporate Canada to operationalize FPIC
The labour union and Indigenous political organization joined forces with the aim of combining their respective expertise to push financial institutions to operationalize FPIC.

Vancouver, BC, Musqueam Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Territories - The B.C. General Employees' Union (BCGEU) and the Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) have partnered to engage Canada's largest public companies on the operationalization of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) when it comes to business decisions that impact the rights of Indigenous peoples. FPIC is an essential principle of international human rights law that recognizes Indigenous peoples' right to make decisions about their lands and territories.

The groups will prioritize efforts to integrate FPIC into the operational policies and practices of financial institutions. The two have filed the only FPIC resolution to go to a vote this year at the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)'s Annual Meeting on April 5, 2023. The BCGEU, the shareholder, and UBCIC note that RBC lags behind other Canadian banks and has much more to do to operationalize FPIC into its corporate policies and activities.

"We have seen a lot of companies talking a lot of talk about the call to action #92. The time for words is over. The time for action is now," said Paul Finch, BCGEU Treasurer. "RBC taking action to operationalize FPIC will make it a better company and will give RBC additional leverage to effect meaningful and necessary change on the path towards reconciliation.

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President of the UBCIC emphasized the importance of operationalizing FPIC in order to uphold Indigenous rights. "RBC needs to go beyond platitudes and performative activities and start implementing FPIC, which is fundamental to any credible reconciliation process," he said. "Canadian banks have treated Indigenous issues as Diversity, Equity and Inclusion matters rather than one intertwined with operations and business decision-making. While 'economic reconciliation' and Indigenous prosperity are important, neither can occur if banks like RBC continue to pour vast funds into projects and companies that do not obtain FPIC."

The shareholder proposal asks RBC to revise its Human Rights Position Statement so RBC can inform itself about how its business clients operationalize FPIC.

"Overlooking the right to FPIC is not only a material risk but will increasingly become a compliance risk as Human Rights Due Diligence legislation gains traction around the world," said Finch.

RBC and other banks often refer to the Equator Principles to address Indigenous rights. "Shareholders should not be persuaded by the banks' reliance on the Equator Principles. EP4 falls short of the minimum standard set out in UNDRIP and will not mitigate the material risks and contingent liability related to failing to meet the standard of Free Prior Informed Consent." said Grand Chief Stewart Phillip.

The groups have reached successful agreements with banks on similar proposals, including Bank of Montreal (BMO) and The Toronto-Dominion Bank. After engagement with BCGEU and UBCIC, BMO agreed to modify its Human Rights statement in addition to enhancing its due diligence for FPIC concerns and FPIC education as first steps towards operationalizing FPIC.

The RBC AGM takes place on April 5, 2023 in Saskatoon. Representatives from BCGEU and UBCIC will present the shareholder proposal in person.

Background materials:

• The shareholder proposal
• RBC's management information circular

For media inquiries, please contact:

Emma Pullman, BCGEU Capital Stewardship Officer, [email protected]
Ellena Neel, UBCIC Communications Manager, [email protected]

About BCGEU: The B.C. General Employees' Union represents over 85,000 workers in almost every community and economic sector in British Columbia. Under BCGEU's capital stewardship strategy, the union has submitted shareholder proposals at some of Canada's largest companies and has succeeded in achieving strong commitments on ESG issues.

About UBCIC: The Union of BC Indian Chiefs is a political advocacy organization that represents over 120 First Nations in British Columbia. The UBCIC works to uphold Indigenous sovereignty, promote self-determination, and advance Indigenous peoples' rights.

UWU/MoveUP

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
March 1, 2023 

BCGEU community health workers ratify three-year deal 

BURNABY, B.C. (Coast Salish Territories) – The member unions of the Community Bargaining Association (CBA) have ratified a new three-year collective agreement with the Health Employers Association of British Columbia (HEABC). The B.C. General Employees' Union (BCGEU) is the lead union representing 13,000 members and the agreement covers more than 21,000 community health workers across B.C. 

The deal was ratified by a vote of over 94 per cent. 

The tentative agreement represents substantial gains in key areas identified by members including significant wage increases averaging 14 to 16 per cent over three years, protecting workers' benefits, and providing greater control over working conditions. 

"In this round of bargaining, our members' main goal was to make meaningful progress toward closing the pay gap with their peers in other health sectors," said BCGEU president Stephanie Smith. "Thanks to the solidarity and resolve of members in the sector, they met this goal and have made important gains towards the long-term sustainability of the community health sector. I'd like to thank the bargaining committee for its dedication to members and to all the people in B.C. that rely on these vital services." 

Members of the CBA are health care professionals who provide home care that enables seniors age in place, support people living with mental health and addictions challenges and provide administrative services to keep the community health care system running smoothly. 

The new agreement is effective April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2025. 

Other member unions of the CBA are UFCW, HEU, CUPE, HSA, USW, CLAC and BCNU.

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Media contact: 

[email protected] 
BC General Employees' Union (BCGEU)

UWU/MoveUP