The BCGEU is saddened by the passing of our former president, John Shields. Shields died today in Victoria at the age of 78.

Shields served seven, two-year terms as BCGEU president between 1984 and 1999.

“It’s a sad day for the BCGEU. John was a great friend to me and so many of us at the BCGEU and within the labour movement nationally,” said BCGEU president Stephanie Smith. “He stayed connected with us even after he retired. We’ll miss John’s wisdom and fellowship tremendously.”

During his time in office, many positive changes took place. He was determined to create a “new BCGEU”, that was modern, growth-oriented and responsive to members’ needs.

Shields chaired the BCGEU’s structural review committee, which began its work in 1987. It brought in many changes, including: more education and skills development for stewards, decentralizing the handling of member grievances and other issues away from BCGEU headquarters, and creating bargaining councils.

Perhaps his most significant achievement was negotiating pay equity for BCGEU members in the B.C. public service in 1990. Other occupational sectors, such as health, colleges, and community social services would follow suit in later years.

Shields also implemented additional efforts to organize new members, especially First Nations workers.

Of being part of the labour movement, Shields once said, “It’s work I love doing. It has given me enormous satisfaction.”

Shields gave working people so much in return. His legacy can be found in every workplace in B.C. —in the improved working conditions, benefits and wages that were achieved during his time leading the BCGEU.

“He was a great man. We’re sad to lose him. We’ll never forget him,” said Smith.

"Joint OHS Committee Training" will be held on Wednesday, May 24 and "Investigations" will be held on Thursday, May 25. These courses will be held at the BCGEU Lower Mainland office at #130 – 2920 Virtual Way, Vancouver from 9:00 am - 4:30 pm.

In the Joint OHS Committee Training course you will learn:

• Worker OHS rights, including the refusal of unsafe work procedure
• OHS legislation
• Roles and responsibilities of employers, workers, supervisors and committees
• Hazard identification and control measures
• How to conduct effective workplace inspections and incident investigations
• Resources available to the committee

In the Incident Investigations 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

These courses are limited to 22 seats so register early at [email protected] 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.

"Joint OHS Committee Training" will be held on Wednesday, May 10 and "Prevention of Workplace Violence" will be held on Thursday, May 11. These courses will be held at the BCGEU office at 2994 Douglas St, Victoria from 9:00 am - 4:30 pm.

In the Joint OHS Committee Training course you will learn:

• Worker OHS rights, including the refusal of unsafe work procedure
• OHS legislation
• Roles and responsibilities of employers, workers, supervisors and committees
• Hazard identification and control measures
• How to conduct effective workplace inspections and incident investigations
• Resources available to the committee

In the Prevention of Workplace Violence you will learn:

• The legislative requirements for a violence prevention program
• The definition of workplace violence
• How to identify the hazards
• The factors that contribute to the increased risk of workplace violence
• The strategies for recommending corrective measures to eliminate or reduce the risk of violence

These courses are limited to 22 seats so register early at [email protected] 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.

"Ergonomics" will be held on Wednesday, May 24, 2017. This course will be held at the Victoria BCGEU office, 2994 Douglas Street, Victoria from 9:00 am - 4:30 pm.

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.

"Joint OHS Committee Training" will be held on Tuesday, May 16, "Incident Investigations" on Wednesday, May 17, "Ergonomics" on Thursday, May 18, as well as "Prevention of Workplace Violence" on Thursday, May 18. These courses will be held at the Ramada Inn, 444 George St, Prince George.

In the Joint OHS Committee Training course you will learn:

• Worker OHS rights, including the refusal of unsafe work procedure
• OHS legislation
• Roles and responsibilities of employers, workers, supervisors and committees
• Hazard identification and control measures
• How to conduct effective workplace inspections and incident investigations
• Resources available to the committee

In the Incident Investigations 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 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

In the Prevention of Workplace Violence you will learn:

• The legislative requirements for a violence prevention program
• The definition of workplace violence
• How to identify the hazards
• The factors that contribute to the increased risk of workplace violence
• The strategies for recommending corrective measures to eliminate or reduce the risk of violence
• Additonal information for health care, community social services and highway workers

These courses are limited to 22 seats so register early at [email protected] 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.

"2 Day Joint OHS Committee Training" will be held on Tuesday, May 16 and Wednesday, May 17, 2017. "Incident Investigations" will be held on Thursday, May 18, 2017. These courses will be held at the Ramada Prince George, 444 George Street, Prince George from 9:00 am - 4:30 pm.

In the Joint OHS Committee Training course you will learn:

• Worker OHS rights, including the refusal of unsafe work procedure
• OHS legislation
• Roles and responsibilities of employers, workers, supervisors and committees
• Hazard identification and control measures
• How to conduct effective workplace inspections and incident investigations
• Resources available to the committee

In the Incident Investigations 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

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.

Local 467/MoveUP

"2 Day Joint OHS Committee Training" will be held on Tuesday, May 9 and Wednesday, May 10, 2017.  This course will be held at the Days Inn Cranbrook, 600 Cranbrook St. North, Cranbrook from 9:00 am - 4:30 pm.

In the Joint OHS Committee Training course you will learn:

• Worker OHS rights, including the refusal of unsafe work procedure
• OHS legislation
• Roles and responsibilities of employers, workers, supervisors and committees
• Hazard identification and control measures
• How to conduct effective workplace inspections and incident investigations
• Resources available to the committee

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.

"Joint OHS Committee Training" will be held on Tuesday, May 2 and Wednesday, May 3. This courses will be held at the Best Western Terrace Inn, 4553 Greig Avenue, Terrace from 9:00 am - 4:30 pm.

In the Joint OHS Committee Training course you will learn:

• Worker OHS rights, including the refusal of unsafe work procedure
• OHS legislation
• Roles and responsibilities of employers, workers, supervisors and committees
• Hazard identification and control measures
• How to conduct effective workplace inspections and incident investigations
• Resources available to the committee

This course is 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.

The BCGEU expresses its condemnation of the bomb threat made to a Vancouver Jewish Community Centre last night. This kind of violence and anti-Semitism must not be tolerated. We stand in solidarity with the Jewish Community, and the families affected by this event.

We are also heartened by expressions of support British Columbians are extending to the Jewish Community as we stand against hate and a culture of intolerance in B.C.