Members have expressed concerns about the length of time being taken to reactivate appeals that were placed on hold in the spring of 2020. The hold was due to a backlog of appeals dating back to 2011. At that time, after a period of trying to manage these older appeals as well as those being newly filed, both parties agreed to concentrate on the older appeals out of fairness to the appellants who have been waiting a very long time. We recognize this has now resulted in another backlog of newer files.

The Union's classifications department will be hosting two zoom information sessions in the coming weeks to discuss the current status of appeals.

Members with current appeals that are waiting for on-sites to be set have been sent an email with zoom credentials.

Please note that participants will be muted upon entry and the chat function will be disabled during these sessions to ensure everyone has an opportunity to listen to the presentations. There will be time to ask questions during the sessions and participants will be asked to use the raise hand function on zoom should they wish to ask a question.

Zoom sessions will be held over the typical lunch hour period of 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. to ensure maximum attendance. If you feel this will impede on your scheduled work time, provide your supervisor with reasonable notice that you need time away from your desk to address matters related to your classification appeal.

If you are new to using Zoom, we encourage you to learn more about Zoom well in advance. If you access the meeting online, you will have the option of seeing whoever is speaking (if they have a webcam enabled) and the option of being seen. If your computer is not equipped with a webcam, speakers and microphone or if you have difficultly joining the meeting online, then the teleconference option may be best.

Information for those retiring or potentially leaving their position:

Appeals continue even if an appellant leaves the positon, and therefore, if you have left or will be leaving the BC Public Service (including retiring), we need your personal contact information to share with the PSA in order to action retroactive pay, should you be eligible at the conclusion of the appeal.

Please keep the BCGEU up to date with your personal (home) email and phone information at [email protected].

If you retire or move to another position before your appeal is heard:

• Consider setting aside work examples that will demonstrate the highest level of complexity of your work. The best work examples will be narrative examples that are detailed, specific, practical and relevant to important aspects of your work under appeal.
  
  
• If you think you will need to refer to examples involving actual emails, reports etc., consider sending these in advance to [email protected] for us to access during the appeal, although we will be asking for specific information once we begin work on your appeal.

In solidarity,

Classification Appeals

UWU/MoveUP

BCGEU – HEADQUARTERS OFFICE

INTERNAL POSTING

May 13, 2021

POSITION: SECRETARY – ORGANIZING (Temporary)

GRADE: LEVEL 3 - MoveUP AGREEMENT

A secretary is required to perform secretarial and word processing functions for staff representatives in the Organizing department. Term of assignment is up to 5 months or return of incumbent.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES 

Duties will include: processing a variety of documents such as LRB submissions, minutes, meeting notices, reports, memoranda, forms, schedules, questionnaires, leaves of absence and general correspondence; making travel and hotel arrangements; arranging appointments; setting up and maintaining departmental filing systems; maintaining a daily bring forward system; responding to telephone inquiries and walk in visitors; preparing and coding purchase orders; preparing cheque requisitions for signature; sorting and distributing mail, other related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

Applicants must have 2-4 years' secretarial experience; high school graduation supplemented by secretarial training; excellent keyboarding (60–70 wpm); excellent Microsoft Word and Excel skills; excellent communication, spelling and grammatical skills; an aptitude for organization and detail; good telephone manner; 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 a secretarial position.

The BCGEU supports employment equity. Workers of colour, women, aboriginal workers, LGBTQ2SI+ workers, and workers with disabilities are encouraged to apply for positions with the BCGEU.

Apply in writing with resume to Sharon Penner, Human Resources Administrator, Headquarters by 5:00 pm, Wednesday, May 19, 2021.

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

UWU/MoveUP

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, our understanding of the virus is rapidly evolving. It is now widely recognized that airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 can occur under certain conditions. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) recently updated its guidance to acknowledge that SARS-CoV- 2 is spread through aerosols (smaller droplets that can hang in the air for periods of time).¹ Further, PHAC has updated their guidelines for Long Term Care Facilities² and Home Care settings³ to include guidance on ventilation at these worksites to control for airborne transmission of the virus.

We are in the third wave of the pandemic. While case counts are starting to decline, hospitalizations due to COVID are at an alarming high, largely due to the increase in the presence if variants. In light of these developments, and in keeping with the precautionary principle and best practices, we encourage all workplaces to review your COVID-19 Safety Plan (CSP) with a specific eye to airborne transmission and ventilation needs. 

To assure the most up-to-date practices are in place, employers must fully and seriously consider the risk of airborne transmission of COVID-19 in their worksites. This includes re-evaluating processes that require close contact with high-risk individuals. The CSP should be updated as needed, taking into account the variants as a higher risk, with the hierarchy of controls in mind⁴:

• The most effective control is to allow for remote work or other alternative work arrangements that minimize the number of workers and the number of customers and clients at a given workplace, and this should be implemented wherever possible. 
  
  
• Where workers are required to attend the workplace, the employer must ensure that additional measures are implemented to minimize risk, and that their effectiveness is monitored. This includes looking at:
  
  • Effectiveness/efficiency of ventilation in enclosed spaces (for best practices click here)⁵;
  • Minimizing occupancy limits in areas where people may congregate;
  • Limits to the duration of close contact with other individuals where possible.
    
    
• These measures should also be applied as much as possible where workers are attending clients' homes.Risk assessments and direction from your supervisor must take into account any additional risks due COVID-19.
  
  
• Travel between health regions for work should be limited as much as possible. This includes where community health workers are performing home care visits. 
  
  
• While Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is the least effective measure to protect workers, following the Hierarchy of Controls, throughout the pandemic BCGEU has consistently advocated for the appropriate usage of masks, both indoors and in public spaces. As such, we recommend that where workers are required to be at the workplace, that:
  • Appropriate, high quality masks, and training on their use be provided to workers by the Employer.
  • Employers should have a policy and safe work procedures for interacting with customers, clients and others that require masks when they are interacting in-person with workers.
  • For interactions with clients who are considered exposed to, or suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19:
    • PPE consistent with a minimum of Droplet and Contact Precautions (e.g., gloves, a gown, a medical mask and eye protection) should be worn.
    • An N95 or equivalent respirator be worn in place of a medical mask where possible.

As a worker, you have rights under the Workers Compensation act⁶:

• The Right to Know about all known or foreseeable health and safety risks;
• The Right to Participate in your workplace OHS program: this applies to all workers, not just OHS representatives;
• The Right to Refuse Unsafe Work: Please see the refusal procedure here⁷;
• And your have the Right to Protection against Prohibited Actions. This means you cannot be punished for raising health and safety issues in the workplace.

For any questions on your workplace COVID-19 safety plan, please contact your OHS committee, OHS rep or local steward. If you have urgent COVID-19 concerns or would like to become an OHS rep, please contact us at [email protected].
 
You can find us online at http://ohs.bcgeu.ca

¹See the following links for guidance/ information on SARS-CoV-2 modes of transmission: Public Health Agency of Canada (October 2020) "COVID-19:Main Modes of Transmission":
 https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/health-professionals/main-modes-transmission.html
 
CDC (October 2020) "Scientific Brief: SARS-CoV-2 and Potential Airborne Transmission": https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/more/scientific-brief-sars-cov-2.html
 
WHO (July 2020) "Transmission of SARS-CoV-2: implications for infection prevention precautions": https://www.who.int/news-room/commentaries/detail/transmission-of-sars-cov-2-implications-for-infection-prevention-precautions
² PHAC (April 2021) "Infection prevention and control for COVID-19: Interim guidance for long-term care homes" https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/prevent-control-covid-19-long-term-care-homes.html
 
³ PHAC (April 2021) "Infection prevention and control for COVID-19: Interim guidance for home care settings" https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/health-professionals/infection-prevention-control-covid-19-interim-guidance-home-care-settings.html
 
⁴ WorkSafeBC (April 2021) "Controlling Risks" https://www.worksafebc.com/en/health-safety/create-manage/managing-risk/controlling-risks
 
⁵ MFL Occupational Health Centre (April 2021) "Ventilation Resources" http://mflohc.mb.ca/covid-19/ventilation-resources/
 
⁶ BCGEU Occupational Health And Safety (April 2021) "Your Rights" https://ohs.bcgeu.ca/your-rights
 
⁷BCGEU Communication (Dec 21, 2020) "How to refuse Unsafe work" https://www.bcgeu.ca/covid_on_the_job_how_to_refuse_unsafe_work

Download PDF of notice here

UWU/MoveUP

On behalf of 80,000+ members across the province, the BCGEU offers our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of Local 104 member Bikramdeep Randhawa as they grieve his sudden and senseless death on Saturday, May 1^st.

While the loss of any member under any circumstance is a tragedy, Bikramdeep's youth and the violent, and public nature of his death make this loss harder to bear especially for the close-knit members at Fraser Regional Correctional Centre who knew him as a colleague and a friend.

In the coming days and weeks our union will be focused on ensuring our members have everything they need to get through this difficult time and that their mental, emotional, and physical health and safety are protected going forward.

In solidarity,

Stephanie Smith, President, BCGEU
Dean Purdy, Vice President, Component 1 (Corrections and Sheriff Services)

UWU/MoveUP

BC Budget Analysis 2021/22
Moving in the right direction, but at the wrong speed.
 
On April 20, the BC NDP delivered its first budget and fiscal plan since winning a new majority mandate in the October 2020 general election. More importantly, this was the government's first official budget since the start of the global COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020.
 
Budget 2021 includes significant funds for emergency relief and ongoing pandemic response measures. While these measures create large deficits, they are critical investments needed to support British Columbians in this difficult time.
 
It is reassuring to see government continuing to spend what is necessary to fund important programs and services for workers, families, and communities.
 
Click here to read our full analysis of Budget 2021/22 
 
However, apart from making some improvements to commitments that were made in Budget 2020, this budget is unimaginative in areas where real transformation is still needed for working British Columbians. 
 
It fails to address areas where extreme social, economic, and health-related vulnerabilities have been brought to public light though the ongoing pandemic.
 
Budget 2021 does offer an array of valuable new social investments and supports and it certainly provides resources in places where there is an urgent need, especially throughout B.C.'s health sector, but there are several missed opportunities in this plan as well.
 
Our union has carefully reviewed the provincial budget, ministry by ministry, to help understand how the government's choices will affect the work members do and the services our province relies on, as well as identifying areas where new progress has been made and where significantly more improvement is still needed.
 
Click here to read our full analysis of Budget 2021/22 

UWU/MoveUP

Check out the latest issue of The Provincial

This issue has convention candidate statements, updates on the Fight for Essential Pay for BC Liquor Distribution Branch workers, COVID and Women a call for a just recovery, and a big win for the members in the Community Living Sector.

UWU/MoveUP

The B.C. Government & Service Employees' Union (BCGEU) is appalled to learn that Chartwell Retirement Residences, where the union represents 125 members at two of its long-term care facilities in B.C., provided executive bonuses for "100% customer satisfaction during the pandemic" while at the same time rejecting a proposal to provide frontline workers a living wage despite their tireless efforts to care for residents during the pandemic.

"It's unconscionable – but it's how the for-profit system works and why our union has been advocating for an end to for-profit seniors' care in B.C.," said Stephanie Smith, president of the BCGEU. "This is an egregious example of an inequitable distribution of profits at the expense of those doing the hard work on the ground, especially when you consider the billions in taxpayer dollars paid to for-profit companies to pay these worker's wages for care delivery."

Despite Chartwell's recommendation to reject the wage proposal, unitholders will still have a chance to vote on it at the company's annual meeting to be held on May 20, 2021. As a unitholder in Chartwell, the BCGEU has actively engaged with the company on board oversight of risk management and intends to vote in favour of the proposal to provide frontline workers a minimum living wage. The BCGEU became a unitholder in Chartwell in 2020 as part of its shareholder advocacy program to fight for workers' rights beyond the bargaining table.

Now in the third wave of the pandemic, Canada continues to hold the worst record among wealthy nations for COVID-19-related deaths in long-term care facilities.[1] With thousands of those deaths occurring in for-profit facilities including at Chartwell, calls across Canada to abolish for-profit long-term care continue.

"Chartwell's actions prove once again that the profit motive is directly at odds with supporting the kind of care system that workers and seniors' deserve," Smith continued. "It's time for government to take action by building a non-profit, publicly delivered system in our province and across Canada."

Sign our petition to end for-profit seniors' care in B.C. here: www.seniorsdeservebetter.ca

[1] https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/canada-record-covid-19-deaths-wealthy-countries-cihi-1.5968749

UWU/MoveUP

Victoria, B.C. – The BCGEU is applauding Budget 2021's support for the critical public services needed to get B.C. through the pandemic. But the union representing tens of thousands of members direct government and throughout the province's broader public sector is highlighting that more needs to be done to support workers as we move towards recovery.

"Our members' top priority for Budget 2021 was to see government unequivocally supporting public services as a path out of the pandemic and we got what we were looking for," said Stephanie Smith, president of the BCGEU. "The big news is childcare-especially with the federal government's commitment announced yesterday-and we're also happy to see ongoing and some impressive new investments in seniors care, mental health and addictions, BC Parks, and poverty reduction. Overall, this budget shows that the government is committed to supporting British Columbians and leveraging the lessons of the pandemic."

The BCGEU consulted with members across the province to inform their submission to the Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services. That submission urged government to deliver a budget that protected the province's most vulnerable, preserved existing public services, and presented a bold plan to provide the services and supports British Columbians will need to get through the pandemic and build a just recovery.

"There is a lot to celebrate in this budget, particularly compared to what is happening in other provinces," said Smith. "Frankly, what's missing are critical supports for the frontline workers that have gotten our province this far-like paid sick leave and mental health supports. Those are gaps that need to be filled for our province to come out of this pandemic."

The BCGEU is one of the largest and fastest growing unions in B.C. with more than 80,000 members working in almost every community and economic sector in the province.

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For more information, contact our BCGEU communications department at [email protected]

UWU/MoveUP

Once every three years members from across the province elect their representatives to convention. They're called delegates.

The next BCGEU convention will take place June 9-12, 2021.

These delegates attend BCGEU convention and vote on important resolutions, and in the election of the President, Treasurer, and Executive Vice-Presidents. For more information on convention, check out the latest issue of the Provincial magazine.

The majority of delegates to our convention are elected at meetings of their union local – regional groups of members in the same industry – and that process is currently going on. This year's meetings are happening online.

If you would like to be a delegate or participate in choosing your local's delegates, check your email or the BCGEU Member Portal for details about your local's meeting.

If you are unable to find details on your meeting, please contact your area office.

UWU/MoveUP