“We welcome the increased funding for the Ministry for Children and Family Development announced in today’s budget. Our union, and especially our frontline members, have worked hard to convince government that a significant increase is crucial for the ministry. Their concerns were detailed in the BCGEU report Choose Children, and these efforts have paid off. Additional frontline social workers, and support staff, will improve the lives of vulnerable children and families in crisis who rely on these services. However, the province still needs to increase wages in this sector to prevent skilled social workers from moving to provinces that pay considerably more,” said BCGEU president Stephanie Smith.

“We are disappointed there has not been a similar investment of new resources for other ministries which have faced more than a decade of frozen and shrinking budgets. Last week, a B.C. Supreme Court judge criticized the provincial government for failing to fund the justice system following courtroom delays due to staffing shortages. This budget does nothing to address these very real problems. The justice system is just one of many branches of government that need additional resources to carry out the important work they do,” said Smith.

“In the Throne Speech the government indicated it would modernize community care and assisted living. Last month the B.C.’s Seniors Advocate said services are not keeping pace with the province’s aging population, in particular cost-effective home support services that allow seniors to remain in their homes. Today’s budget does not provide the funding that is needed. We owe it to our seniors to provide services they need to live independently,” said Smith.

“This government’s tax policies have left it unable to fund critical services. B.C. has the leanest public service in the country. In many cases it is too lean and continues to shrink relative to population growth. A commission on tax competitiveness, announced today, should include tax fairness to increase revenues in its terms of reference. We also call on the government to anticipate the federal legalization of marijuana and prepare to use the existing liquor distribution and retail system to create new revenue to pay for public services,” said Smith. 

For more information: Evan Stewart, BCGEU Communications 604-220-3095.

Today is a day many thought would never happen: it is BCGEU Director David Vipond’s last day on the job before retirement.

For those that don’t know David, he’s been one of the behind the scenes heroes of the BCGEU throughout the last 35 years, and it’s hard to imagine what the BCGEU will be like without him.

David’s history with the BCGEU began as an member, working at the B.C. Liquor Distribution Branch.

In 1981 he joined the union staff as a staff representative in the Cranbrook Area Office. From there he held a number of staff positions in the union: from Collective Bargaining and Arbitrations representative to Regional Coordinator.

In 1996 he assumed the role where we’ve all grown accustomed to seeing him: Director.

During that twenty years, the BCGEU has grown and changed through the terms of five presidents and countless other officers of the union. Every step of the way his influence has been a part of those changes.

His tenacity and attention to detail has been a large part of many BCGEU bargaining victories and the solid foundation upon which our union has been built.

While all of us here at the BCGEU wish him well in retirement, we will miss his dedication to the members, his extensive knowledge of all things B.C. labour, and perhaps most of all his sharp wit around the office.

Best of luck from all of us at the BCGEU!

On Wednesday, February 24, 2016, we stand together to say no to bullying. The Workers Compensation Board approved three Occupational Health and Safety policies under sections 115, 116, and 117 of the Workers Compensation Act. These policies deal with workplace bullying and harassment. The policies define bullying and harassment, and explain the duties of employers, workers, and supervisors to prevent and address workplace bullying and harassment. These policies came into effect on November 1, 2013.
Bullying is defined as any inappropriate conduct or comment by a person towards a worker that the person knew or reasonably ought to have known would cause that worker to be humiliated or intimidated. It excludes any reasonable action taken by an employer or supervisor relating to the management and direction of workers or the place of employment. Inappropriate conduct can include, but is not limited to:

• Verbal aggression or yelling
• Humiliation, insults or hazing
• Intentional isolation or spreading malicious rumors
• Withholding necessary information to carry out your job

The employer is responsible for ensuring policies, procedures and education are in place at the worksite for all workers. The BCGEU offers 2 or 4 hour anti-bullying courses for our members and their respective employers. Many worksites have utilized our training in order to inform and train workers, supervisors and employers to recognize and appropriately respond to bullying and harassment. Please contact the OHS department for more information on education: [email protected]

If you feel you are being bullied and harassed, your concerns might be more effectively addressed through the grievance process by contacting your steward or staff representative.

Click here to get your worksite involved in Pink Shirt Day, February 24.

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The BCGEU is welcoming news the provincial government plans to implement and expand on the recommendations contained in the Plecas report on the Ministry for Children and Family Development. The news was announced in the throne speech this afternoon. Plecas’ report corroborated most of the findings and recommendations from BCGEU’s 2014 Choose Children report and concerns raised by B.C.'s Representative for Children and Youth.

Also included in today’s speech are government plans to modernize community care and assisted living. Last month the Seniors Advocate for B.C. said services were barely keeping pace with the province’s aging population.  

“We applaud the government’s decision to act on the recommendations in the Plecas report and we are encouraged that the government has identified improvements to the delivery of community health care for seniors,” says BCGEU treasurer Paul Finch. “These are important changes that should improve the lives of the people who rely on these services. It will also come as good news for our frontline members who provide these important services.”

“However, after more than a decade of frozen and shrinking budgets, we need to see a broad investment in many other public services as well. Last week, a B.C. Supreme Court judge criticized the provincial government for failing to adequately fund the justice system in our province following repeated courtroom delays due to staffing shortages. The justice system is just one of many branches of government that need an investment of resources and budget increases,” said Finch. “Next week’s provincial budget will show if the Liberal government is willing to make the broad investment in public services, or if the erosion of these services will continue.” 

The annual February 14 Women's Memorial March was started in 1991 in Vancouver in response to the murder of a Coast Salish woman on Powell Street.  Since then, marches have been held every year to honour the lives of missing and murdered women. Please join BCGEU president Stephanie Smith and fellow activists in supporting this women-organized, women-led event, to come together to grieve, to remember the women who are still missing, and to demand justice.

• When: Sunday, February 14, 2016 at 12 noon
• Where: Gather at the north-west corner of Main and Hastings, Vancouver (look for other BCGEU members)

March route proceeds through the Downtown Eastside and will make stops to commemorate where women were last seen or found, followed by speeches by community activists at the Courthouse. There will be a healing circle at Oppenheimer Park at approximately 2:30 pm, and a community feast at the Japanese Language Hall.

* Please note that there will be no union flags, leaflets or banners at this event.

Please advise if you are attending by emailing Gagan Gill at [email protected]

Click here for more information.  

The Lunar New Year starts on Monday February 8. This marks the start of a fifteen day festival and holiday. Celebrations have started around the world as we say goodbye to the Year of the Sheep and hello to the year of the Fire Monkey. 

"We wish our members and their families a very happy and prosperous Lunar New Year," says BCGEU President Stephanie Smith. "We wish you luck, good health and good fortune for the year ahead." 

China, Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Singapore and many other Asian countries observe Lunar New Year as a national holiday. Due to migration, festivals marking the new year now take place throughout the world. For immigrants and emigrants, this is a time every year where families can come together to share food and celebrate the coming year.  People honour the Lunar New Year in many different ways, but the common theme is family reunion and celebration.

An estimated 1.4 billion people around the world will be celebrating Lunar New Year in 2016 by spending time with family and participating in feasts, parades, dragon dances, gift exchanges, and community celebrations. 

According to Chinese astrology, those born in the year of the Monkey are said to possess such character traits as curiosity, mischievousness, and cleverness. Forever playful, Monkeys are the masters of practical jokes. They can, however, be easily frustrated by delays, tend to look down on others and have a fast-flaring temper. 

There are a number of Lunar New Year events and parades taking place around the province. Below is a sampling of what's going on – we encourage you to join in the festivities in your community.

• LunarFest 2016 – with events happening in Vancouver, Courtenay and Toronto 

Courtenay

• Lunar New Year Festival 

Prince George 

• 2016 Chinese New Year Party 

Richmond

• Richmond Chinese Community Society (RCCS) Lunar New Year Celebration 
• Free Chinese New Year Event for the Whole Family (Dharma Drum)
• More events in Richmond can be found here 

Surrey

•  2016 Chinese New Year Gala Celebration 

Vancouver

• The Vancouver Chinatown Spring Festival Parade will return for the 43rd year on Sunday, February 14, 2016. This signature event of Vancouver's Chinatown will feature lion dances, cultural dance troupes, marching bands, martial arts performances and much more 
• The Year of the Monkey Celebration at International Village
• UBC Centennial Lunar New Year Festival
• List of Vancouver Chinese New Year 2016 events

Victoria

• Ring in the Year of the Monkey in Canada's oldest Chinatown

The BCGEU joins Canadians to celebrate Black History Month this February, which marks the event’s 20th anniversary. Our federal government officially recognized Black History Month after passing a parliamentary motion introduced by the Honourable Jean Augustine, the first black Canadian woman elected to Parliament. 

"This February, take some time to learn about black Canadians’ tremendous contributions to our country," says BCGEU President Stephanie Smith. "Black Canadians have too often been left out of our history, our society and our labour movement. Take a moment to reflect on black history in B.C. and join me in pledging to renew our strong commitment to universal human rights." 

"Our union is proud of, and celebrates the diversity of, our membership," says Smith. "Whether in our union or in our communities—it's important to understand and respect our histories and learn from one another's experiences."

Check out these links to Black History events and more information about black history in B.C. and Canada.  

Events:

• Black History Month British Columbia 

Lower Mainland

• Black History Month – Vancouver International Film Festival 
• Hue: A Matter of Colour – screening

Victoria

• Refugee Story Telling Workshop 

Nanaimo

• Celebration of Black History Month 

Black History Month Resources:

• BC Black History Awareness Society 
• Black Workers in Canada (Workers History Museum) 
• Black History Month in Canada (CBC Radio-Canada) 
• Young black authors to watch (CBC)  
• Hogan’s Alley Resource guide created by the Vancouver Public Library (VPL)  
• Black History in Canada Education Guide (Historica Canada) 
• Black History Month – 20th anniversary (Government of Canada)

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On January 27 our union presented a submission to the Special Committee to Review the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA).

The foundation of public trust in government is transparency, accountability, and a consistently demonstrated respect for the rights of individuals. FIPPA is designed to protect and uphold these values; yet, public practice in information management and the pace of change in communications technologies has put the effectiveness of the legislation under significant stress.

The BCGEU submission focusses on five areas of concern:

• Duty to document
• Coverage and access
• Policy advice and recommendations
• Wait times, delays and extensions
• Protection of privacy and “data-linking”

Click here to read the submission. 

"Incident Investigations" will be held on Wednesday, March 2 and "Ergonomics" will be held on Thursday, March 3. The Incident Investigations course will be held at the BCGEU area office, 2994 Douglas St., Victoria and the Ergonomics course will be held at Harbour Towers, 345 Quebec St, Victoria.

In the Incident Investigations course you will learn:

• The legislative requirements for conducting accident/incident investigations
• How to get to the contributing factors by conducting effective witness interviews and examining physical evidence
• How to assess the evidence in order to recommend effective corrective measures

In the Ergonomics course you will learn:

• Requirements of the ergonomics regulation
• How to identify ergonomic hazards, to assess the risk factors of tasks and to recommend appropriate solutions
• Strategies for implementing an effective workplace ergonomics program
• How to conduct a workstation assessment

These courses are limited to 22 seats so register early at https://gww.gov.bc.ca/ to avoid disappointment.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to improve your ability to advocate for workers' health and safety rights - register today.

Note: If you have not taken your annual education leave, as mandated by the Workers' Compensation Act and your Collective Agreement - apply for this employer paid leave through your employer.

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