FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 1, 2024

Ferry Workers Draw the Line: Strike Notice Issued for Fair Wages and Conditions

Burnaby, B.C. (Coast Salish Territories) - Yesterday at 12:00 pm, members of the B.C. General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) at Western Pacific Marine Ferries issued 72-hour strike notice, with full strike action scheduled to begin on Sunday, November 3, 2024, at 12:00 pm. This escalation follows an unsatisfactory offer from the employer that would disadvantage our members. Furthermore, this offer does not meet the standards set by agreements with Waterbridge and Waterbridge Equipment.

“Ferry workers are calling for a fair and equitable deal, comparable wage increases, necessary scheduling adjustments, extended benefits for auxiliary workers, and crucial training support,” said Maria Bennett, BCGEU Treasurer.

“Western Pacific Marine has the means to meet these demands, and workers are unified in their stance.”

Ferry workers are committed to maintaining essential services, with three weekday sailings on the Osprey for essential travel only and emergency vehicle access outside this schedule. No weekend sailings will occur, and cable ferry services remain unaffected by job action at this time.

To kick off the strike, a solidarity rally is set for 11:30 am on Sunday, November 3, at the Balfour terminal. Workers and community members alike are encouraged to join, showing collective support for fair treatment and equitable conditions for ferry staff.

This strike reflects ferry workers’ determination to achieve industry-aligned conditions and hold Western Pacific Marine accountable to fair standards.

The BCGEU is one of the largest and most diverse unions in British Columbia, with over 90,000 members across multiple industries and communities.

-30-

For more information contact: Susan Howatt at [email protected]

Over 40 delegates from communities across the province, representing the 33,000 BCGEU members who work for the BC Public Service, gathered in Burnaby last Friday to discuss priorities and strategies for bargaining our next collective agreement early next year.

BCGEU president and Public Service Bargaining committee chair Paul Finch welcomed delegates to the Public Service Bargaining Conference with opening remarks. 

"We're looking three rounds out in bargaining, and we're going to be coordinated. This is how we'll get all members to where they need to be in terms of wages and working conditions. This requires us all to understand past achievements and current challenges, and what our priorities will be this round," said Finch. "We are going to be bold, open, honest and forthright with members about our bargaining goals, and members want to be engaged in the process and ready to mobilize. This is how we are going to get the absolute best agreement that we possibly can."

Members have been incredibly engaged this round so far, through surveys, polls, small group discussions and nearly a record number of submitted proposals. It's clear that members know what they want and what they deserve. The Public Service Bargaining committee thanks each member who took the time to share their ideas and help the committee evaluate the top priorities for this round of bargaining. 

BCGEU research staff reviewed the high-level results from the bargaining survey that nearly 7,000 members completed. Members shared a variety of concerns, but their input underscored the same common theme: they want a fair and equitable collective agreement that reflects the importance of the work they do.

Well-known Vancouver pollster Mario Canseco presented delegates with a detailed summary and analysis of the recent poll of our union's public service members. Canseco walked through the benchmarks from polling from the last round of bargaining, including members' motivations and willingness to take job action. 

The Public Service Bargaining committee will continue to meet in the coming weeks to review proposals and ultimately finalize our bargaining package to bring to the table. We will keep members informed every step of the way.

See photos of the Public Service Bargaining Conference here.

In solidarity,

 
Paul Finch, President and Committee Chair
Maria Bennett, Treasurer
Dean Purdy, Component 1 Vice-President 
Kusam Doal, Component 5 Vice-President 
Judy Fox-McGuire, Component 6 Vice-President 
Mona Dykes, Component 6 Second Representative 
DJ Pohl, Component 12 Vice-President 
Faith Johnston, Component 12 1st Vice-President 
Robert Davis, Component 20 Vice-President
Douglas W. Dykens, Executive Director – Advocacy, Negotiations, Member
Benefits and Secretary to the PSBC
Sumiko Marshall, Support Staff

UWU/MoveUP

September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day - a day of remembrance, learning, reflection and action. As union members, workers, neighbours, caregivers, citizens and newcomers to Canada, we have many critical roles to play in Reconciliation - one of which is educating ourselves. 
 
I encourage you to explore the following learning resources and discuss your learnings and reflections with friends, family and colleagues. 
 
How does educating ourselves contribute to Reconciliation? Self-education is an act of responsibility. It is everyone's responsibility to learn the truth and understand the impacts of past and present actions on the lives of Indigenous people, and on society as a whole. 
 
To learn about the Indigenous children who were forcibly removed from their families including those who passed, those who survived, and their families:

• Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre
• Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement (Government of Canada)
• [Video] Stolen Children | Residential School Survivors Speak Out (CBC News)
• Where Are The Children? Healing the Impacts of Residential Schools (Legacy of Hope Foundation)
• Report of the Royal Commission on Indigenous Peoples, Volume 1: Looking Forward, Looking Back. Chapter 10, “Residential Schools,” pages 313-394 (Canada, Royal Commission on Indigenous Peoples) 

To learn about how today's child welfare system is yesterday's residential school system:

• 'Every child matters': One year after the unmarked graves of 215 Indigenous children were found in Kamloops (Kisha Supernant, RSC College of New Scholars, University of Alberta)
• "Child Welfare," Indigenous Women's Justice Plan (BC First Nations Justice Council, page 20)

To learn about the history, symbolism and message of the orange shirt and Orange Shirt Day/National Day for Truth and Reconciliation:

• Teaching and learning resources (UBC's Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre)
• Learning resources for Orange Shirt Day/National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Government of British Columbia)
• [Video] Residential Schools in Canada: A timeline (Historica Canada)
• Residential School Timeline (National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation,  University of Manitoba)

To learn about the history of Indigenous workers:

• Timeline of Canadian Colonialism and Indigenous resistance (Tim Kitz, The Leveller)
• Bows and Arrows: Indigenous workers, IWW Local 526, and Syndicalism on the Vancouver Docks (Jeff Shantz, Libcom.org)
• First Nations in the 1920's (Chelsea Brooks, Sutori)

Many events are happening across B.C. to commemorate Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Participation is encouraged. Find an event near you here.
 
In solidarity,
Paul Finch, BCGEU president

UWU/MoveUP

Date: Sunday September 15, 2024, 10AM – 1PM

Place: 17535 55B Ave, Surrey, BC V3S 5V2

The Area 04 Cross Component is holding a day of Solidarity for the Members of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1742 who work at HandyDART.

We will be supporting their picket line on Sunday September 15th from 10:00am to 1:00pm.

The worksite is located at: 17535 55b Ave, Surrey, BC V3S 5V2

We will be walking the picket line to show our support for the struggle of workers currently on strike.

The committee is inviting all BCGEU members in the Fraser Valley to come out and support these workers in their struggle for a fair collective agreement.

Download PDF of bulletin here

UWU/MoveUP

Area 01 Cross Component Committee is inviting you to The Victoria Labour Council Labour Day Picnic (https://victorialabour.ca).

This family-friendly event will include live music, food, and games for the kids!

WHEN:       September 2, 2024

TIME:         11:00 am – 2:00 pm

WHERE:     Memorial Park, Esquimalt (1200 Esquimalt Rd)

Please share this invitation with your friends, family and fellow union members.

We hope to see you there! Everyone is welcome!

On Behalf of your Area 01 Cross Component Committee

Download PDF of bulletin here

UWU/MoveUP

Area 04 Cross Component Committee is excited to be a sponsor of this cultural event in recognition of National Truth and Reconciliation Day. The upcoming 3rd Annual stɑl̓əw̓ pow-wow has a limited number of tickets available, and you are invited to enter into a raffle to win a ticket and attend for free. Single tickets can be used to attend any of the days the Pow Wow is running, from September 13th to September 15^th 2024, being held at the Langley Events Centre.

 
PLACE:        Langley Events Centre, 7888 200 Street, Langley BC

DATE:          Friday September 13th to Sunday September 15th 2024       
           
TIME:           Various
 
Click on the link below to enter the draw for a chance to win! Registration for the raffle will close at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, September 2nd. The draw for the ticket will be done on September 3rd and only winners will be contacted! Each individual winner will win one ticket, valid for any one of the three days and details on how to claim your ticket will be provided to the designated winners. 
 
Details on this event including a schedule of events, and how to purchase additional tickets (or for anyone interested in attending) can be found stalewpowwow.ca
 
RSVP/Raffle link: https://events.bcgeu.ca/ccc_st_l_w_pow-wow_raffle
 
The BCGEU Code of Conduct is in effect at all Cross Component events. Any participant engaging in unacceptable behaviour may be asked to leave and not invited to future events.
 
In Solidarity,
 
Kevin Hagglund                                                              Erica Cardarelli
Staff Representative                                                       Area 04 Cross Component Chair

Download PDF of notice here

UWU/MoveUP

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 14, 2024

BCGEU reacts to WCB report on fatal accident in B.C.Wildfire Service last year

In response to a recent Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) report regarding the B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS), B.C. General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) president Paul Finch released the following statement: 
 
With the release of the redacted WCB report, our thoughts are with the Gale family and colleagues across the province who continue to be deeply impacted by this traumatic event just over a year ago. The systemic issues identified in the report should not be read as criticism of individual firefighters doing their best to protect the province during increasingly difficult wildfire seasons.
 
As the WCB report shows, the BCWS has not met its obligation to ensure the appropriate supervision of safety protocols are in place. Processes like completing dangerous tree assessments and implementing safety training and orientation for new workers have fallen by the wayside due to an inability to retain experienced staff.  
 
The employer’s failure to retain experienced staff means that many workers are put in dangerous situations. There is no substitute for experience fighting wildfires, and the Ministry needs to address the dire retention crisis currently facing BCWS. That starts with the Ministry reversing its current stated position that there is no retention issue among junior to mid level leadership positions, and working to take the appropriate steps to resolve the retention crisis.
 
The BCGEU has been calling on the BCWS to change its culture of normalizing risks; the onus for worker safety cannot be placed on the workers themselves. 
 
To end the retention crisis, the BCWS must take the steps needed to make wildland firefighting a safe and sustainable career, by providing adequate compensation for junior and mid-level leadership roles and ensuring appropriate staffing throughout the season. 
 
-30-

For interviews, please contact Nadja Komnenic, BCGEU Communications at [email protected] or 604-291-9611.

The Area 04 Cross Component invites you and your family for a cultural and carnival celebration taking place at our Fraser Valley Office!  

                             
                                           Date:               Saturday, August 24, 2024
                                           Place:              8555 198 A Street, Langley BC V2Y 0A9 (Fraser Valley Area Office)
                                           Time:               11 am – 3 pm
                                                     

The goal of this event is to bring together the rich ethnic diversity of BCGEU members by celebrating and integrating cultures amongst us along with all the fun of Summer Carnival games. The Day will feature lunch, entertainment, cultural booths, face painting, games and much more.

The event will be open to all BCGEU members and their families.
 
Please register by clicking on the link  View Cultural & Carnival Day Event

 

Please email the Fraser Valley Office at [email protected] with any questions. We hope to see you there!
 

Download PDF of notice here

UWU/MoveUP