Course listings and registration for the Canadian Labour Congress Winter School (January 14 to February 16, 2018) at Harrison Hot Springs is now available.
Active union members are encouraged to apply online. Applications will be forwarded to your component executive to determine who will attend the school.
Registration cut off is November 3rd for all courses.
Please click here to register: http://web.bcgeu.ca/go.php4?f=2018_CLC_Winter_School
Download PDF of 2018 courses and descriptions
On September 8, as a follow up to the report Collective Wisdom: Challenges and Opportunities in B.C's Women's Services the BCGEU was invited by the federal Minister of Status of Women Maryam Monsef to participate in a roundtable discussion as part of the federal government's commitment to addressing gender-based violence (GBV). At the Roundtable were approximately 30 representatives for women's services organizations that address GBV in their work such as transition houses, shelters, centres for female survivors of sexual and domestic violence, sex workers advocacy groups, health services and more.
Minister Monsef heard about the work of the 10,000 BCGEU members and the 1500 members who see first-hand how women's services in BC is in crisis and how it's failing as the social safety net meant to protect women and provide support services and crisis intervention and are expected to do more with less. This crisis has resulted in the denial of services for women who desperately need them due to the multiple issues they face from the lack of safe housing, child care, poverty, mental health, substance abuse, involvement with child protection, and inability to find employment with a living wage. These additional challenges make it nearly impossible to provide the support needed.
Through conversations with the Minister and, following the meeting, her policy advisor, we made it clear that based on BCGEU members' experience the current situation is not acceptable and that the only way to meet the needs of women accessing services at their most vulnerable moments, is to increase funding now – not tomorrow.
You can find more information about the report and the conference held by members in women's services by clicking here.
Local 467/MoveUP
RICHMOND – B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU) members at River Rock Casino Resort voted by 81 per cent to ratify a four-year collective agreement today after more than a year of negotiations with Great Canadian Gaming Corporation.
"I am so proud of the outstanding resolve and determination of workers at the River Rock Casino to negotiate such a strong first agreement," says BCGEU president Stephanie Smith. "The agreement will bring vast improvements to working conditions and makes impressive strides in job security, pensions, benefits, and a much stronger wage grid."
The nearly 1,000 members at River Rock will receive an average 19 per cent wage increase making them among the best paid casino workers in the province. Extended health and dental care, parental and adoption leave, and fair vacation entitlements are also among the benefits.
River Rock Casino Resort, owned by Great Canadian Gaming Corporation, is one of the most profitable casinos in B.C., yet when compared to other unionized casinos in the province, workers at River Rock generally earned far less in wages.
"Today's result is another example of the important role unions play in fighting for workers' rights in today's economy and family-supporting jobs," says Smith. "Many River Rock workers are first-generation Canadians and this agreement also provides them with more security as they lay down roots in their communities."
The BCGEU is one of the largest and most diverse unions in British Columbia with more than 73,000 members across all sectors of the economy, including over 3,800 workers in casinos.
For more information please contact Bronwen Barnett, BCGEU Communications, 604-719-4713.
Join and support the spirit of 'Namwayut - We are all one.
On September 24, 2017, BCGEU members will joining in the 2017 Walk for Reconciliation in Vancouver!
The BCGEU is proud to sponsor the walk once again this year and support a positive movement to build better relationships among Indigenous peoples and all Canadians.
Walk for Reconciliation:
Sunday, September 24th | 9:30am
650 Cambie St.
Vancouver, BC
https://goo.gl/maps/afAqRv3zn7T2
The Walk follows a 2km route from Cambie St. and Georgia St. to Strathcona Park.
BCGEU members will rally at the corner of Cambie and Georgia, look for the yellow BCGEU flags
Reconciliation Expo
Sunday, September 24th | 10:30am - 3:00pm
Strathcona Park
857 Malkin Ave.,
Vancouver, BC
https://goo.gl/maps/RK2VhWAX1zv
Gather at Strathcona Park for the Reconciliation Expo, featuring a series of Indigenous and multi-cultural performances and a keynote speech.
More information on this event can be found here: http://reconciliationcanada.ca/walk-for-reconciliation-2017/
The BCGEU RV will be touring through the above noted locations. Below you will find dates, locations and times. We hope you can join us!
Monday September 18, 2017 – Prince Rupert:
· Liquor Distribution Branch (Liquor Store) Parking Lot
BBQ Lunch – 11:00 am to 2:00 pm, all members and families welcome
· Northwest Community College Campus
Refreshments – 3:00 pm, come join us on your coffee break!
Tuesday September 19, 2017 - Terrace:
· Nechako Northcoast Construction
Coffee and Donuts – 6:00 am
· Forests, Lands and Natural Resources
Coffee and Donuts – 10:00 am to 10:30 am
· Liquor Distribution Branch (Liquor Store) Parking Lot
BBQ Lunch – 11:30 am to 2:00 pm, all members and families welcome
· Courthouse/Health Unit Parking Lot
Refreshments – 3:00 pm, come join us on your coffee break!
Wednesday September 20, 2017 – Kitimat:
· BC Parks (Highway 37 across from Lakelse Lake Picnic Site)
Coffee and Donuts – 9:30 am, come join us on your coffee break!
· Haisla Nation Council
Lunch - 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm, join us for lunch!
· Kitimat General Hospital
Coffee and Donuts – 2:30 pm, come and join us on your coffee break!
· City Centre Mall
BBQ for all members and their families – 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Thursday September 21, 2017 – Hazelton and Smithers:
· Northwest Community College - Hazelton
Coffee and Donuts – 10:00 am, join us on your coffee break!
· Ministry of Children and Family Development – Hazelton
BBQ Lunch – 11:30 am to 1:30 pm, join us for lunch!
· Government Buildings – Smithers
Refreshments – 3:00 pm, join us on your coffee break!
· Bulkley Lodge – Smithers
BBQ for all members and their families – 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm
Friday September 22, 2017 – Houston, Francois Lake and Burns Lake:
· Lakes District Maintenance – Houston
Coffee and Donuts – 6:00 am, join us for coffee!
· Houston Health Unit/Northwest Community College – Houston
Coffee and Donuts - 9:30 am to 10:00 am
· Waterbridge Equipment – Francois Lake
Lunch – 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, join us for lunch!
· Lakeview Mall Parking Lot – Burns Lake
BBQ for all members and their families – 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Local 467/MoveUP
Vancouver— Today the Seniors’ Advocate of B.C. published the results of a comprehensive study on the state of care homes in BC. The report shows in no uncertain terms what many families, seniors, and care workers have been raising with government for some time now: basic standards in care homes are not being met.
“I can’t imagine how heartbreaking it must be for everyone involved to know there are people out there suffering. Without adequate resources or staffing to support them, seniors are feeling isolated and trapped in what is supposed to be their own home” said Stephanie Smith, BCGEU President. “When so many seniors are reporting not experiencing adequate levels of basic of personal hygiene, human interaction, and freedom it means there are serious concerns for their quality of life.”
This study reinforces the call by care workers for increased staffing so that basic standards of care can be met. That is the first recommendation made by Seniors’ Advocate Isobel Mackenzie in her report. It is important to acknowledge that simply increasing training cannot solve the core issue. Instead the government must address the staffing ratios between full time staff and residents in care homes which currently does not allow for adequate care to be provided to all.
B.C. seniors and their families have identified significant lapses in emotional support, and isolation as key areas for improvement. Important quality of life aspects such as decent meals, social activities, and meaningful social interactions are left wanting or simply non-existent. While we know that workers are struggling trying to meet standards and the needs of residents, at the current staffing levels it is not possible to achieve any of the report’s eight recommendations.
“For the report’s eight recommendations to be implemented, the government needs to commit significant resources to bringing in more workers to improve the quality of life for seniors. Last year the government promised to hire 1,500 new health workers as part of a half a billion-dollar investment in seniors’ care,” recalled Smith. “We look forward to meeting with the government to make sure that the significant investment negotiated with Ottawa by the previous government will go into addressing these issues”
BCGEU members working in the sector have been advocating for better standards of care for quite some time through their Seniors Deserve Better Campaign. They have been petitioning government, and raising awareness of this issue.
The BCGEU represents over 73,000 workers in British Columbia, including over 16,000 workers in various health sectors.
Local 467/MoveUP
Paragon Gaming is relocating Edgewater Casino to a new $600m facility in September of 2017, but instead staffing the new location with their existing union employees, they are planning to outsource the food and beverage department.
This will affect over 100 casino workers represented by Unifor who fought hard for a collective agreement and respect from their employer. The jobs created by the new facility will be outsourced to Las Vegas-based Elizabeth Blau, a non-union restaurant planning and consulting company.
This will eradicate seniority and reduce benefits for the casino's food workers, some of whom have been with the company for 10 years.
You can support the workers of Edgewater Casino by joining them at a rally this evening.
Edgewater Casino Solidarity Rally
Where: 760 Pacific Boulevard, Vancouver
When: Friday, September 15 at 5:00 pm
Hope you can make it out!
Local 467/MoveUP
The B.C. NDP government's first budget update is measured, pragmatic and balances key spending priorities with modest tax increases to high income earners, the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union says in their annual budget analysis.
"The government has made good use of the operating surplus to address urgent needs such as education, poverty reduction, housing and mental health," says BCGEU president Stephanie Smith. "They've balanced these new commitments with measured tax increases on corporations and high-income earners, who have benefited the most from our economy."
The BCGEU's budget analysis provides an overview of the budget's key measures, including specific choices that directly affect the services our members provide for British Columbians – including the addition of 660 new FTE positions in the public service, cuts to MSP premiums and roughly $1.8 billion in new operational spending over 3 years.
The analysis concludes that Budget 2017 Update is a "conscientious and measured budget" that "positions the government well for the implementation of its core commitments with sustainable spending increases."
Members and the public can read the BCGEU budget analysis here.
The BCGEU is one of the largest unions in British Columbia, representing over 73,000 members in direct government service, the broader public sector and service sectors across the province.
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BURNABY – The BC NDP government's first budget update delivers on commitments to re-invest in critical public services this year, the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU) said today.
The government will increase public service staffing levels by more than 600 positions, addressing the critical need for additional social workers, park rangers, environmental management staff and compliance and enforcement officers, among others.
"I'm pleased to see the B.C. government acknowledge the value of the important services our members provide to British Columbians," says BCGEU president Stephanie Smith. "For the first time in years, issues like child protection, community health and home support, poverty reduction, mental health and addictions have seen renewed attention and investment."
"This budget update is based on prudent economic forecasts and balances modest tax increases for the wealthy with targeted public investments to support working British Columbians. It also acknowledges the impacts of long-term staffing cuts across government and in the natural resource sector."
Budget 2017 formalizes budget proposals that will see significant increases to the number of social workers in child protection, as well as a commitment to increase the number of park rangers and capital improvements to increase campsites in BC Parks, a new Abbotsford courthouse and an addition to the Maples Adolescent Treatment Centre.
"I'm pleased that the government recognizes poverty reduction, child care and affordable housing as important parts of a sustainable economy," says Smith. We look forward to working with the government to implement their election commitments to provide these important services for British Columbia families."
The BCGEU is one of the largest unions in British Columbia, representing over 73,000 members in direct government service, the broader public sector and service sectors across the province.
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Local 467/MoveUP
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