2026 BCGEU Scholarship Program – Now Open!

Applications for the 2026 BCGEU Scholarship program are now being accepted. 

Our annual scholarship program of up to $125,000 offers awards of $2,500 for full-time students and $1,500 for part-time students. Scholarships are funded by the dues of our members.  

Apply for a BCGEU Scholarship online here  

Apply for a BCGEU Indigenous Scholarship 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 2026. 

[1] Eligible relatives include spouses, (same or opposite and common law spouses); parents; and children and grandchildren (including foster, adopted, and stepchildren and step-grandchildren). 
 
[2] Eligible educational institutions must be recognized by Employment and Social Development Canada. A list can be found here.) 

Previous BCGEU scholarship recipients are not eligible to apply. 

For eligibility requirements for the Indigenous scholarship please see below.

Essay 

In addition to personal information and details of your education plan, you will be asked to answer Part 1: 2 short personal questions, and Part 2: interview an activist from the labour movement and write a reflection on the interview.

Part 2 can be in essay format (max. 800 words), or a creative submission such as a video, infographic, or song. Infographics must be submitted in a PDF format. Videos must be submitted via a link to the video uploaded to YouTube.

Please selection one question from the list below for Part 2 of your application. You may submit an essay, infographic or video for Part 2.

i. What are your thoughts about the activist's perspective on the labour movement and what factors do you think shaped their opinions?

ii. What was your most significant takeaway or enlightening moment from the interview?

iii. How has this experience altered your perceptions?

Submissions suspected of plagiarism or being written by artificial intelligence (AI) will be disqualified. 

Submissions will be assessed on the following criteria: 

· Did the application answer the question? 

· Did the answer seem original, creative or include interview/research? 

· Did the answers show evidence of understanding the importance of the labour movement in Canada? 

The deadline for submitting applications is midnight, Feb.15, 2026 

 
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. 

2026 BCGEU Indigenous Scholarship Eligibility 

Apply for a BCGEU Indigenous Scholarship here

For the purpose of this scholarship, an Indigenous person (the legal term is Aboriginal person) in Canada, as recognized in the Constitution Act, 1982, is a person who identifies as First Nations (Status/Non-Status), Métis, or Inuit. 

Indigenous identity data is collected solely to determine scholarship eligibility. 

For First Nations applicants 

You must provide one of the following: 

• a copy of your Secure Certificate of Indian Status, or 

• a copy of your Certificate of Indian Status, or 

• a copy of proof of citizenship from a First Nation or band in the list maintained by Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. 

For Métis applicants 

You must provide one of the following: 

• a copy of a Métis Nation Citizenship card from one of the 4 regional/provincial affiliates of the Métis National Council (Métis Nation British Columbia, Métis Nation of Alberta, Métis Nation Saskatchewan, and Métis Nation of Ontario); or 

• a copy of a valid Métis Citizenship and Harvester Identification Card from the Manitoba Métis Federation; or 

• a copy of a valid Citizenship card from the Métis Settlements of Alberta; or 

• a copy of a valid Citizenship card from the Northwest Territory Métis Nation. 

For Inuit applicants 

You must provide a copy of an Inuit membership card issued by any one of the 4 Inuit Treaty Organizations or Governments that are covered by the Inuit Nunangat Policy: 

• Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, 

• The Nunatsiavut Government, 

• Makivik Corporation, or 

• The Inuvialuit Regional Corporation. 

For all applicants (voluntary) 

In addition to any one of the types of legal documentation listed above, all applicants are welcome to submit an alternative identity term (e.g., Kanien'kehá:ka, Anishinaabe, Treaty #3, etc.) with their application. 

Please note that membership to pan-Indigenous organizations will not be recognized. 

Option 2 - Candidate self-declaration 

If a candidate does not possess proof of the documentation listed in Option 1, they must submit a statement (minimum 200 words) about their lived experiences and ongoing relationship to a legally recognized Indigenous community, Nation, or people. This includes specific information about their First Nation, Inuit, or Métis community and can include copies of historical documents or oral testimony. 

The statement must be signed by 2 guarantors who are part of the community, Nation, etc. that the applicant describes their ties to. Guarantors must be over the age of 18 and cannot be members of the applicant's immediate family (i.e., no siblings, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, children, grandchildren, or any step variations). 

Questions: email [email protected]

Download a copy of the 2026 Scholarship brochure here

UWU/MoveUP

To: All BCGEU Area 01 Stewards

Re: Steward Fundamentals Course

Steward Fundamentals: Steward Fundamentals is a two-day foundation–level course for all stewards. It focuses on the essential skills every steward needs to know. Through discussion and interactive group activities, you will be introduced to the key roles and responsibilities of a steward as advocate, educator, organizer and communicator. Stewards will leave feeling more confident and effective in their role and skillful in their interactions with members and the employer.

This Two-day course is for elected stewards and local officers who have not previously taken the Basic Steward Training in the past five years. 

• A union-paid leave-of-absence is provided for this course.

• Travel and accommodation, if required, are also provided. Note: You will be on your own for Lunch for both days and expenses can be claimed on an expense claim form via the member portal.

• Reasonable child and/or other dependent care expenses may be reimbursed.

Date: December 22 & 23, 2025
Time: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm both days
Location: BCGEU Victoria Area Office – 2994 Douglas Street Parking is available at 588 Burnside Rd East. 
Please note that our office is not open until 8:30 am. 

As space is limited, registrations are being accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. If you would like to attend the training, please register vis the link below:
HERE

Please call the area office at 250-388-9948 if you have any questions or concerns.

In solidarity 
Victoria Area Office

Download PDF of notice here

UWU/MoveUP

Statement on the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

Today, we mark the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, to honour the 14 women murdered at Montreal's l'École Polytechnique on December 6^th, 1989, and to acknowledge all those whose lives have been forever altered by gender-based violence.

Gender-based violence remains an urgent and pervasive issue in Canada. It affects our communities, our homes, and our workplaces.

Unions play a critical role in eliminating all forms of gender-based violence. In the last BCGEU convention, delegates were clear that they want to their union to fight for strong workplace protections, enforcement of occupational health and safety rules, and paid leave for survivors of gender-based violence. We negotiate collective agreement language that directly addresses gender-based violence, and advocate for affordable housing, child care and pay equity to support women and gender-diverse people to leave unsafe relationships.

The BCGEU's Women and Gender Rights Committee is dedicated to building safer, more equitable workplaces by challenging discrimination and harassment in all forms. The committee works to end violence against women, girls, and gender-diverse people through education, action and policy shifts to ensure safety for all.

But our commitment extends beyond the workplace. Unions stand with community partners, women's organizations, and equity-seeking groups to push for broader social change. We continue to educate, mobilize, and use our collective voice to demand a Canada where everyone - regardless of gender - can live free from violence.

On December 6th, we remember 

• Geneviève Bergeron
• Hélène Colgan
• Nathalie Croteau
• Barbara Daigneault
• Anne-Marie Edward
• Maud Haviernick
• Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz
• Maryse Laganière
• Maryse Leclair
• Anne-Marie Lemay
• Sonia Pelletier
• Michèle Richard
• Annie St-Arneault
• Annie Turcotte

To learn more about the 14 women who were killed, simply for being women, please click here.  They were brilliant students, creative thinkers, beloved sisters, cherished daughters. #Rememberthe14
 
If you or someone you know is experiencing violence or abuse, here are a few links to services and resources in BC:

VictimLink
1-800-563-0808 a multilingual information service available throughout BC and the Yukon 24/7.
Or Text VictimLink BC at 604-836-6381.
 
BC Housing - Transition Houses & Safe Homes List
List and contact information for all of the transition houses across the province.
 
Women Against Violence Against Women 24-Hour Crisis Line
604-255-6344 or toll-free 1-877-392-7583
 
Battered Women Support Services Crisis line
604-687-1867 or 1-855-687-1868 or text 604-652-1867 or email: [email protected].
 
Ending Violence BC
Non-residential anti-violence programs.

In 2022, we learned that 7 out of 10 workers surveyed have experienced harassment and violence on the job. Has anything changed since then? 

Canada's unions are working to find out – and to ensure that every worker is safe and treated with the respect they deserve. Your voice can help us gather the facts to understand workers' experiences today and push for stronger protections

Take part in the new national survey on workplace harassment and violence to help make work safer for all. 

Take the survey

Our union already knows, thanks to a research partnership with the Centre for Research & Education on Violence Against Women & Children at Western University, that 55% of BCGEU members working in the public and private sector have experienced at least one behavior of aggression, harassment and/or violence in the past 2 years. It's important that we expand this research because harassment and violence should never be part of the job. This survey will allow us to measure progress, understand what has improved, and identify where more must be done to create a safer world of work.

All responses are anonymous, and you do not need to have filled out the 2022 survey to complete this one. We encourage every worker aged 18+ to take part, even if you haven't personally experienced or witnessed workplace harassment or violence. Your response will help us better understand workers' experiences.

The Respect at Work Survey is led by the Canadian Labour Congress, in partnership with researchers at Western University and the University of Toronto.

Hundreds of workers have already taken part. Join them - the survey is open until December 9, so there's still time to add your voice! It takes 10–15 mins to complete. Take part today: https://canadianlabour.ca/respect-at-work/ 

Thank you for taking the time to support this important research. Together, we can make work safer for workers across the country.

In solidarity, 
BCGEU Occupational Health and Safety 

UWU/MoveUP

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
EQUITY PRACTICUM PROGRAM
(3 TEMPORARY POSTINGS)
FIELD SERVICES
November 2025

The B.C. General Employees' Union (BCGEU) and the B.C. Union Workers Union (UWU) are committed to increasing the diversity of servicing staff employed by the BCGEU.

Three (3) 12-month practicum positions are now available, specifically for BCGEU members who identify as Indigenous, Black, or People of Colour ("IBPOC"). These positions offer an opportunity for IBPOC members to gain valuable experience working within their union, while helping us better reflect the strengths and diversity of our membership. To participate in training and work assignments, you will be required to take union leave from your regular employment for up to 12 months, effective date to be determined.

WHAT TO EXPECT

If you are a successful candidate, you can expect the following:

• to complete a two-week work experience placements in the Organizing department and Field Services office
• to receive BCGEU training and mentorship;
• to take 1-year union-paid leave from your current employment;
• to work in-person at BCGEU headquarters in Burnaby, BC for a period of time;
• to travel to practicum opportunities at BCGEU office locations within B.C. (e.g. Lower Mainland, Victoria, rural office locations etc.) as required;
• to have all reasonable travel and accommodation expenses, away from your regular work location, covered by the BCGEU.

Successful applicants will be provided training and mentorship during the term of the practicum and will be assigned to different departments or work locations to support their skill development and knowledge of the duties of a servicing representative.

Travel is required between area offices and member work sites; therefore, applicants must hold a valid B.C. Driver's License and access to a vehicle with insurance that covers business use and 3rd party liability of $2 million or more. 

Field Services duties include:

• Assisting officers, stewards, and membership in the day-to-day administration of their union by attending membership meetings, assisting in union elections, preparing and conducting ratification votes;
• Advising union membership on union policy and procedures;
• Negotiating collective agreements and contract administration through the handling of grievances up to and including expedited arbitration;
• Teaching courses for stewards and local officers;
• Assisting in or leading organizing campaigns, both internal and external;
• Representing the union at local labour councils and conventions; and
• Developing grassroots campaign plans to advance the interests of the union's membership as well as engaging members and recruiting activists.

GOALS

These are intended to be developmental positions, where successful candidates will be given the opportunity to foster the skills and qualifications of a field services staff representative. The goal of the program is that, at the end of their term, the successful candidates will possess the following qualifications:

• Experience in and knowledge of the trade union movement;
• Ability to deal with union leadership and employer representatives;
• Ability to multi-task and manage multiple priorities;
• Ability to prepare concise written reports and handle a large volume of correspondence and ability to speak in public;
• An understanding of the goals and values of the BCGEU;
• A solid understanding of organizing principles with proven experience in union organizing drives; and
• Demonstrated ability to develop activist skills and maintain an effective working relationship with union and community activists.

HOW TO APPLY

Members of the BCGEU that identify as Indigenous, Black and People of Colour (IBPOC) are eligible for Equity Practicum positions. An IBPOC mentor will be assigned to practicum employees during the term of the practicum. All members are welcome to apply to our Temp Staff Rep Training intake and job postings found on https://www.bcgeu.ca/jobs.

Please complete the Equity Practicum application form no later than Wednesday Dec 3rd, 2025 at 12:00 pm. 

Be sure to upload your cover letter and resume in a single file and ensure that it includes union and/or equity-related information.

If you have questions about the Equity Practicum Staff Representative position or training, please email [email protected]. 

UWU/MoveUP

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 2, 2025

The following release was originally issued on November 28, 2025.

CORRECTION: B.C. dairy milk testers on strike

BURNABY, B.C. (Coast Salish Territories) - Dairy milk testers, also known as dairy production technicians (DPTs), employed in British Columbia by nationwide dairy testing provider Lactanet have commenced job action as of November 25, 2025. The workers, who are unionized with the B.C. General Employees' Union (BCGEU), served 72-hour strike notice on November 21, 2025. This job action follows 20 months of bargaining and the employer's refusal to fairly compensate workers for the cost of doing their jobs.

"These workers are demanding that Lactanet reconsider how it's using the fees it charges farmers for testing and cover the actual current-day costs of travelling to farms to gather samples," said BCGEU treasurer Maria Middlemiss. "After 26 months without a contract, these workers can no longer afford to continue in this way."

The workers, who collect samples of dairy milk produced by about 175 herds across the province for testing at the Lactanet lab in Chilliwack, are seeking increases to mileage compensation that cover costs of driving their personal trucks and SUVs to farms, sometimes located up to 100 kilometers away from their home base. Costs include fuel, business-type insurance, tires, maintenance, depreciation and repairs.

Lactanet milk testers in B.C. are currently paid $0.41 per kilometer. In comparison, the Canada Revenue Agency uses $0.72 per kilometer for work travel using personal vehicles.

Farmers using Lactanet services rely on milk testers to obtain data regarding the composition of their milk. This data is useful to farmers as it allows them to make any necessary adjustments to their components and manage somatic cell count to maximize quality and profit.

With the withdrawal of the milk testers' labour, farmers will not receive the data needed to prove the quality of their milk to the BC Milk Board, who determines how much the milk is worth and how much revenue the farmers receive.

"This work stoppage was a tough decision for us because we're passionate about the dairy industry and we're dedicated to the farmers," said Jack van Dongen, milk tester, former dairy farmer and chair of the workers' bargaining committee. "Many of us milk testers work second jobs to make ends meet. We're not trying to get rich doing this job, but it's not reasonable or sustainable for us to pay out-of-pocket for travel expenses, especially since that's not the industry norm."

The milk testers remain dedicated to reaching an agreement and are calling on Lactanet to return to the bargaining table with an offer that covers their costs and respects the farmers and the industry it serves.

"Dairy farmers need these tests, and their milk testers. The B.C. dairy industry deserves a sustainable testing service, and that means accounting for the actual costs of business. Balancing finances on the backs of workers is not a way to help the dairy industry thrive," said Middlemiss.

On November 18, 2025, B.C. Lactanet testers voted 89% per cent in favour of strike action and have been working without a contract since September 30, 2023.

The workers are unionized with the BCGEU, one of the largest unions in British Columbia, with over 90,000 members in almost every community and economic sector.

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For more information, contact BCGEU Communications ([email protected]) or call 604-291-9611.

UWU/MoveUP

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 27, 2025

92.3% vote 'YES': Community health workers authorize strike, urge HEABC back to the table 
The vote does not trigger an immediate strike; members are seeking progress on equal pay, fair scheduling, and fully funded benefits, and are ready to return to talks. 

BURNABY, B.C. (Coast Salish Territories)– Members of the Community Bargaining Association (CBA) have delivered an overwhelming strike authorization mandate for a stronger collective agreement. Following an impasse with the Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC) on October 3, 2025, today members voted (92.3%) YES to authorize job action, if necessary, to achieve meaningful improvements. 

"For the first time in three decades, community health workers have taken a strike vote, sending a powerful message that cannot be ignored," said Scott De Long, Bargaining Chair and BCGEU Vice-President. "Our concerns have gone unaddressed for too long – and we are determined to secure the respect and fairness we deserve in our next contract." 

The CBA represents almost 26,000 community health workers helping seniors age in place, supporting people in shelters and supportive housing, and delivering care in clinics, detox and treatment programs, mental-health group homes, and regional health units. Unfair treatment and chronic inequities are driving workers away and putting the stability of community-based services at risk. 

Despite nearly 20 days of bargaining this year, urgent member priorities remain unresolved. Community health workers are seeking parity with other HEABC health care workers: fair funding of benefits, fair overtime rules by seniority, protections against precarious scheduling, and equal pay for equal work. 

"For over 30 years, community health workers have been paid less and given fewer benefits than others in the health care system doing the same work," added De Long. "We're calling on government and HEABC to return to the table with a mandate to fix these long-standing inequities and deliver real improvements to our day-to-day working conditions." 

Negotiations between the CBA and the HEABC began March 4, 2025. The strike vote opened November 3, 2025, and closed today. 

The BCGEU is the lead union of the multi-union CBA and represents nearly 16,000 members. For more visit: https://www.bargainingbc.ca/community_health 

Media contact: Bronwen Barnett, BCGEU Communications 

[email protected], 604-291-9611

About the BCGEU 
The BCGEU is one of B.C.'s largest, most diverse, and fastest growing unions, representing over 95,000 members in 550 bargaining units in both the public and private sectors. 73,000 of those members are covered by one of six sectoral agreements in the public sector. 

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UWU/MoveUP

An Exciting Addition to Our Bargaining Committee 

Hi BCGEU, 👋 

We haven't properly introduced ourselves, and it's about time we did! We're the BCGEU members of the Community Bargaining Association's (CBA) negotiations team. Moving forward, we're the workers who will represent you at the bargaining table by amplifying your concerns and your interests to your bosses, so that the employer association they just joined (HEABC) can't ignore you.

Firstly, we want to welcome you to the family. Secondly, we are pleased to announce that the BCGEU has appointed supportive housing activist and Local 301 Chair Kate Banky to the CBA negotiations team!

You need someone in this round of bargaining who knows your work and can advance the issues that matter most to supportive housing workers. Kate Banky has not only worked at Victoria Cool Aid Society as a mental health and client care worker for eight years, but she's also been bargaining for Component 3 (Community Social Services) members over the last several months. 

We know many of you have expressed concerns about how the bargaining proposals at the CBA table - and even the current CBA agreement - compare to the bargaining priorities that you identified for the Community Social Services negotiations team. For this information and more, please visit the BCGEU's supportive housing website. 

Who We Are 

Most of our members are community health workers who deliver critical health services right to our clients' doors, but we also work in group homes, substance-use support and mental health centres. In some ways, our work intersects with yours, supporting vulnerable communities through mental health crises and responding to the toxic drug problem. If you want to know more about the Committee's backgrounds, check out our bios on the CBA bargaining hub. 

As many of you know, the CBA also includes over 1,500 BCGEU members employed at RainCity and Lookout. You should have always been paid the same as your peers at these two supportive housing agencies; now we have a clearer path to close remaining compensation gaps. By uniting with them, you're also growing your bargaining power. Over 3,200 of you organizing around the same goals in the same bargaining association gives you a much louder voice than you had when you were separated by contracts. 

We look forward to growing our movement with a larger base of supportive housing members. Workers in your sector have long been a valued part of the CBA, but now you have the numbers and the solidarity to make meaningful gains in your workplaces. 

In Solidarity, 

Scott De Long, Bargaining Chair and BCGEU Vice-President for Community Health Services

UWU/MoveUP

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
TEMPORARY STAFF REPRESENTATIVE TRAINING PROGRAM
FIELD SERVICES
November 26, 2025

The B.C. General Employees' Union (BCGEU) is committed to increasing opportunities for members to receive dedicated training and gain valuable experience working as a Staff Representative or Organizer through temporary assignments.

Successful candidates will be invited to participate in Staff Representative Training – a program designed teach members the fundamental skills needed to thrive as a front-line staff representative, to organize, recruit and engage activists and build capacity, confidence and community, while helping us better reflect the strengths and diversity of our membership.

WHAT TO EXPECT 

If you are a successful candidate, you can expect the following: 

• to receive an overview of time, structure, topics, and expectations of this role;
• to foster personal growth, stronger staff voice and greater organizational impact;
• to complete a two-week work experience program in a field services office;
• to receive 3 levels of training and mentorship to develop their skills and deepen their understanding of the duties of a servicing representative.
• to complete a six-week work experience program in an organizing role.

All travel and accommodation expenses will be covered by the BCGEU for this paid training and employment opportunity. 

Field Services duties include: 

• Assisting officers, stewards, and membership in the day-to-day administration of their union by attending membership meetings, assisting in union elections, preparing and conducting ratification votes; 
• Advising union membership on union policy and procedures;
• Negotiating collective agreements and contract administration through the handling of grievances up to and including expedited arbitration; 
• Teaching courses for stewards and local officers; 
• Assisting in or leading organizing campaigns, both internal and external; 
• Representing the union at local labour councils and conventions; and 
• Developing grassroots campaign plans to advance the interests of the union's membership as well as engaging members and recruiting activists.
  
  

GOALS 

These are intended to be developmental positions, providing successful candidates with the opportunity to build the skills and qualifications of a field services staff representative. We encourage potential participants to explore this opportunity and learn more.

• Experience in and knowledge of the trade union movement; 
• Ability to deal with union leadership and employer representatives; 
• Ability to multi-task and manage multiple priorities; 
• Ability to prepare concise written reports and handle a large volume of correspondence and ability to speak in public; 
• An understanding of the goals and values of the BCGEU; 
• A solid understanding of organizing principles with proven experience in union organizing drives; and 
• Demonstrated ability to develop activist skills and maintain an effective working relationship with union and community activists. 

HOW TO APPLY 

Please submit your application by completing this short survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YTTYXZN

Be sure to upload your cover letter and resume as a single document and include union and/or equity-related information. If you have questions about the Temporary Staff Representative position or training, please email [email protected].
 

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis for 2026.

UWU/MoveUP