The new 18th Main Public Service Agreement and Component Agreements are in effect as of April 1, 2019. BCGEU members who work in the B.C. public service ratified these agreements last year following five weeks of negotiations.

The agreements are for three years and expire on March 31, 2022. The main agreement features many improvements, such as:

• a two per cent general wage increase in each year of the agreement;
• improvements in benefits and the addition of dual coverage;
• addresses labour market pressures in specific occupations;
• expands bullying and harassment language;
• achieves special leave for members experiencing domestic violence.

We're finishing up the editing and other housekeeping on the agreements. Download the draft version of the main agreement here.

Download PDF files of draft component agreements:

• Draft Environmental, Technical and Operational Component 20 agreement
• Draft Science, Information and Health Component 6 agreement

We will update you again when printing and distribution details are finalized.

-Your BCGEU public service bargaining committee

UWU/MoveUP

The 2019 Scholarship Programs has now closed and winners will be posted to the website in mid-June.

Applications for the 2019 BCGEU Scholarship program are now being accepted. The union will award $60,000 in scholarships to students in post-secondary education. Full-time scholarships are worth $2,000 and part-time scholarships are worth $1,000.

Apply online here.

Applicants must be:

• A BCGEU member; or related to a current, retired or deceased BCGEU member or staff[1], and
• A current or prospective post-secondary or higher learning student enrolled, registered or planning to attend an eligible educational institution[2] in 2019.

In addition to personal information and details of your education plan, applicants will be asked to submit a 450 to 500-word essay on one of the following topics:

1. How can unions lead the way on climate change?
2. How can unions lead the way on reconciliation with Indigenous people and communities?
3. How can unions lead the way on affordable housing?

We encourage applicants to base their essays on an interview with a BCGEU member, personal experience or original research. Applicants with an Individual Education Plan (IEP) may submit their essay as an audio or video file to scholarship@bcgeu.ca. 

The deadline for submitting your application is at midnight on Sunday, May 5, 2019.

Apply online here.

Please note: We are unable to respond to individual inquiries about scholarships.

[1] Eligible relatives include spouses, (same or opposite and common law spouses); parents; and children and grandchildren (including foster, adopted and stepchildren and grandchildren).

[2] Eligible educational institutions must be recognized by Employment and Social Development Canada. A list can be found here.)

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 PDF of scholarship poster here

Download PDF of scholarship brochure here

UWU/MoveUP

ORGANIZER (Temporary)

ORGANIZING DEPARTMENT

INTERNAL POSTING

May 17, 2019

The B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union requires a temporary organizer to work in the Organizing Department. Term of assignment is up to 12 months. 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 to 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 databases (Nation Builder), online discussion forums and social media.

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

Although not required, it would be an asset if applicants for this position are able to communicate in a second language (e.g. English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Punjabi, Tagalog) with the ability to translate union/labour terminology.

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

Submit applications no later than 5:00 pm, Friday, May 24, 2019.

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

Stephanie Smith, President, c/o Lisa Trolland

UWU/MoveUP

B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union members who provide payroll services to the B.C. Government voted overwhelmingly to approve strike action to support their contract negotiations with Telus Employer Solutions (formerly Telus Sourcing Solutions), the BCGEU announced today. Members voted 100 per cent in favour of strike action at a strike vote held on Thursday.

The main issues in bargaining include wages and benefits, workload and language to address bullying in the workplace. A major sticking point is Telus' refusal to provide a wage offer that matches wage increases negotiated by government workers in their recent collective agreement.

"BCGEU members process payroll for the B.C. government and they're justifiably upset that Telus, which provides these services, refuses to match the government workers' wage increase," said BCGEU treasurer Paul Finch. "Telus can afford double digit increases in executive compensation and a multi-year dividend growth program for shareholders, but they say they can't afford a modest wage increase for the workers who provide that profit? Our members aren't buying it."

Telus' financial report for the first quarter of 2019 shows net income growth of up to 8.6 per cent and a quarterly dividend increase of $0.5625 per share. The company has also approved an annual 7 to 10 per cent dividend growth program for shareholders through to 2022. In 2017, Telus executives realized a 12.39 per cent increase in overall compensation.

"Telus is a large company that enjoys modern, progressive branding," said Finch. "And yet they are refusing to adopt even basic anti-bullying language in their collective agreement. What kind of message does that send to their customers, their investors and future employees?"

The union bargaining committee at Telus Employer Solutions will be meeting in the following days to consider options, including possible job action, to press their demands for a fair collective agreement.

The B.C. government's decision Wednesday to launch a public inquiry into money laundering is being applauded by politicians and other advocates.

Read more...

(BURNABY) – The BC Government and Service Employees’ Union (BCGEU) is applauding the B.C. government’s decision to call a public inquiry into money laundering headed by B.C. Supreme Court Justice Austin Cullen. And the union is praising its members for their advocacy over the last six months as a key driver in the government’s decision.

“Like all British Columbians, our members want answers about how our province got into this mess, how we get out of it, and who is responsible,” says BCGEU president Stephanie Smith. “Today’s announcement is a vital step toward getting those answers. I’m proud of our members and everyone who signed our petition—or engaged the government in any other way on this issue—and I’m happy to see the government is listening.”

In addition to money laundering’s impacts on the housing market that have affected affordability across B.C., many BCGEU members have also been impacted at their workplace. Members in sectors from health care, social services, libraries, and gaming to deputy sheriffs and correctional officers have been thrust into first responder roles on the frontlines of the opioid crisis, with members in B.C.’s casinos facing the presence of organized crime at their workplaces.

Despite a series of studies completed over the last year into the impact of money laundering in B.C. and Canada, significant questions remain including the true scope of the problem and who is accountable. This is because, to date, none of the studies have been completed by investigators with the authority to request documents and compel testimony.

“We’ve all learned a lot about money laundering recently,” said Smith. “But it’s really been a case of the more we learn, the more we realize how much we still don’t know. Every report I’ve seen has been like shining a flashlight into one corner of a big, dark room. We’ve said from the beginning that a public inquiry is the only way to turn the lights on so we can get the full picture.”

The government’s decision announced today has broad-based public support. A February 2019 Research Co. poll commissioned by the BCGEU showed 77 per cent of respondents in favour of an inquiry. These findings, and those from two others dating back to June 2018, showed support for an inquiry across age, gender, region, voting preference and ethnicity.

“In addition to the announcement of the inquiry itself, we are also encouraged by the ability of the commissioner to compel testimony, the ability to go as far back in time as necessary, and the co-operation of the federal government. We look forward to learning more about terms and resources in the coming days. It’s imperative that the commissioner has the power to explore the myriad of ways that dirty money has impacted our housing market, the opioid epidemic and other aspects of our economy and communities.”

The union first called for a public inquiry in December 2018 following the collapse of the RCMP’s E-Pirate investigation and launched a public petition in February 2019.

For more information contact Stefan Avlijas, BCGEU 778 833-2667.

On behalf of the members of the BC Government and Service Employees' Union I extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Bobbi Pettett, who passed away on May 5, 2019.

Bobbi was a dedicated activist and beginning in 1989, she held many positions in the union from steward, local chair, and bargaining committee member to component chair and member of the provincial executive. She was a member of the union's women's committee and was instrumental in the creation of Component 8 – Community Health Services and Support. In 2014, Bobbi was bestowed the union's highest honour of life membership.

Bobbi was compassionate, honest and loved her union and in fact, she had an encyclopedic knowledge of our union's history. She also loved her family and her time spent in Hawaii.

Our hearts and minds are with her friends, family and all who knew and loved her.

In solidarity and respect,
Stephanie Smith, President

UWU/MoveUP

The BC Government & Service Employees' Union (BCGEU) is disappointed to see today's launch of the BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA) campaign opposing the provincial government's decision to bring home support services in-house under the Fraser Health, Vancouver Coastal Health and Vancouver Island Health authorities.

The BCGEU has been lobbying to bring home care support workers under government employment for over two decades and enthusiastically welcomes this excellent public policy decision that will provide greater security to workers, and better care to B.C. seniors.

"This attempt to block much needed reform to a sector in crisis, and to better support home support workers is appalling," says BCGEU president Stephanie Smith. "We realize the business interests of the BCCPA will be affected by this change, but it's time to put the well-being of people over profit, and address the damage resulting from almost 20 years privatization and underfunding in the sector."

The BCGEU will be working closely with the health authorities over the next 12-18 months to ensure the transition is as smooth as possible and works in a way that supports both workers and clients.

The BCGEU represents approximately 4,800 home support workers across the province.

See our March 14, 2019 media release: BCGEU celebrates announcement to bring home support workers under government employment

Full Stack Developer

(ADMINISTRATIVE REPRESENTATIVE –

ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT (IT Services))

INTERNAL / EXTERNAL POSTING May 1, 2019

The B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union requires a temporary administrative representative to work in the IT Services section of the Administration Department, for up to one (1) year or until return of the incumbent. Effective date to be determined

DUTIES:

Web application Development – Design, plan, develop and support web applications that integrate with existing backend database systems to achieve the goals of the Union; deliver mobile web interfaces and mobile applications; design and implement databases; perform security and quality control including functional and performance, cross browser and OS compatibility testing; create and maintain software design documentation; be responsible for maintaining and updating our existing web applications and integrations with third party applications.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Extensive understanding, knowledge and experience with HTML 5, CSS3, Javascript, JQUERY, GIT; have a strong understanding of PHP back-end development; knowledge of PHP frameworks (CodeIgniter, Symfony, Yii, Zend, etc); knowledge of developing and integrating with RESTful APIs and formats (JSON, XML); knowledge of responsive web design implementation; experienced in developing for Nation Builder, WordPress and Drupal is an asset.

Ability to:

• breakdown complex problems and develop software solutions from system design to implementation;
• communicate well verbally and in writing;
• manage time critical tasks and task prioritization;
• work collaboratively in a team environment;
• accept constructive feedback;
• learn new languages and tools.

Experience with DevOps and Postgress database administration is a plus.

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

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

Submit applications no later than 5:00 p.m., Friday, May 17, 2019:

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

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

UWU/MoveUP