For many people across the province the summer of 2017 was one of angst, uncertainty, and demanding work load due to extreme wildfires and floods.

BCGEU members were front and centre in containment and rescue efforts delivered through key agencies like the B.C. Wildfire Service and Emergency Management B.C. Others across the public service took on significant roles in management, administration, communications, volunteer coordination and emergency services. Many dedicated themselves to helping vulnerable citizens and clients in their roles in community social services, seniors' care, and provincial health services.

When the B.C. government decided to undertake a significant review of the provincial wildfire and flood response earlier this year, the BCGEU initiated a wide consultation of members to document the various ways they had been affected by the unprecedented fire and flood season.

The BCGEU offers a sincere thank you to the many dedicated members who took part in its consultation and engagement efforts. This information will help to better prepare the province for future extreme wildfires and floods—a concerning “new normal” for the province.

The union has officially submitted the cumulative findings of this outreach in a submission to the B.C. government. The report is based on the direct experience of those who lived and worked on the front lines of the floods and wildfires and will be a useful resource for future disaster relief and planning efforts.

You can read the full report below:

Today the Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) Board of Trustees has announced a landmark change to the plan design of the PSPP. The BCGEU has a long history of negotiating and advocating for pensions for our members in all sectors. Over the last few years, the BCGEU, as the Plan Partner representative for the PSPP, has engaged the Government Partner on potential plan design improvements. It has been our intent to enhance benefits while increasing equity within the plan, thereby improving its design for the benefit of plan members.

We are very proud to report to members of the PSPP that we have been successful in achieving design changes that will significantly increase lifetime pensions for the vast majority of our members. Members with pensionable service (you were working and contributing to the PSPP between April 1, 2006 and March 31, 2018) will see a lift in their future lifetime pension based on earnings below the yearly maximum pensionable earning (YMPE - $55,900 in 2018). The calculation for those years will be 22.2% higher-a rate of 1.65% rather than the current 1.35%. 

After April 1, 2018, the calculation for all earnings will be set at 1.85%. For those with maximum earnings below the YMPE, this represents a 37% increase to their lifetime pension benefit calculation for each year of future service going forward. 

Existing rights, such as past service earned-which applies to current early retirement options such as the rule of 85-are vested and you will retain those entitlements when you eventually retire. Following the changes, members with 35 years of contributory service will still be able to retire as early as age 55 without any reduction in those benefits. Service after the effective date (April 1, 2018) will be calculated at the new flat rate of 1.85%. When you retire, your pension will be a combination of the three formulas. 

These changes will not immediately apply to Corrections officers, due to their public safety designation and the need to consider their earlier retirement options. The BCGEU is actively consulting with the Pension Corporation on specifics regarding changes in plan design for this group.

The move to a flat rate of accrual, combined with the retroactive improvement to the below-YMPE accrual from 2006, represents a substantial improvement over the existing plan design. It is also not without precedent: the Teachers and College plans have already moved to a flat rate of accrual, although without the retroactive provision we have secured for the Public Service plan members. 

We encourage you to go to the PSPP website link at www.pspp.pensionsbc.ca for details and further information that is available now. Should you have any questions we encourage you to contact the administrator at 1-800-665-3554.

Over the last year the BCGEU and other organizations have raised questions about the sale of B.C.-based Retirement Concepts to the international conglomerate, Anbang Insurance Group Co., Ltd. – a Chinese-based investor with expansive international holdings. 

Retirement Concepts currently operates 21 care homes in B.C., with over two and a half thousand workers which are represented by both the Health Employees' Union (HEU) and the BCGEU.

In their decision to allow the sale in late-2016, the federal Liberal government dismissed significant public concerns over regulation and accountability issues that would result from combining private delivery of health services with foreign ownership. 

The Chinese government recently announced that they are taking control of Anbang due to insolvency, and alleged corruption, and fraud. This renews and significantly heightens the concern that sensitive assets like Retirement Concepts-including its residents and workers-could be exposed to cuts, operational restructuring, or even liquidation and sale to a third party.

"We strongly believe that patients and workers deserve stability in their homes and workplaces. The federal and provincial governments need to step in so that Retirement Concepts, including its vulnerable residents and dedicated workers are not jeopardized," said BCGEU President Stephanie Smith.

The government must use its authority to protect the delivery of care across these publicly funded facilities. The BCGEU encourages Minister of Health Adrian Dix to act decisively to protect vulnerable seniors before they are adversely affected.

The HEU has recommended a three-point plan to safeguard resident care at Retirement Concepts and ensure protections for workers:

1. Implement expanded staffing and financial audits at Retirement Concepts facilities.

As the Chinese government moves to rein in debt related to Anbang's global assets, it would be prudent to more closely monitor the impact on Retirement Concepts' operations in B.C. including on staffing, planned facilities maintenance and equipment replacement.

2. Implement a moratorium on contracting out in the broader residential care sector.

If Anbang seeks to dispose of its care home assets in B.C., the government must be prepared to act to protect continuity of care at Retirement Concepts sites. A moratorium on contracting out and contract flips would ensure that care relationships won't be disrupted by pre-sale layoffs of staff.

3. Investigate the business case for purchasing Anbang's assets.

Anbang's care home assets in B.C. represent a considerable investment in seniors' care by B.C. taxpayers. The government must consider all options for ensuring that stable, seamless care can continue to be provided at Retirement Concepts' sites including the purchase and operations of these sites should they become available.[1]

"We need to be looking at the most effective tools for protecting health workers and the delivery of care. The HEU's recommendations are an excellent starting point for the government to consider. This would give needed assurance to families, patients, and care home workers that they are being looked after," noted Smith.

BCGEU represents more than 850 workers at nine sites operated by Retirement Concepts throughout B.C. with worker classifications that include residential care aides, home support workers, recreational assistants and support services workers.

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[1] Province urged to adopt action plan to protect care as Chinese government regulator takes control of Retirement Concepts, HEU | Retrieved from https://www.heu.org/news-media/newsletters/publications/province-urged-adopt-action-plan-protect-care-chinese-government-regulator-takes

UWU/MoveUP

Warehouse Positions

Available!

The Distribution Centres, located in both Vancouver and Kamloops, have entry-level auxiliary opportunities in Shipping, Receiving, Assembly and Inventory Control.

We are accepting applications for additional auxiliary warehouse positions in our fast paced distribution center located in Vancouver. Please note in the summer of 2018 we expect to move our distribution center to 7003 72nd Street, Delta. Shift work is required including night shift.

ENTRY LEVEL QUALIFICATION FOR WAREHOUSE WORKERS; 

For exciting and challenging auxiliary opportunities, please submit your cover letter and resume

• Be at least 19 years of age
• Be able to legally work in Canada
• Be able to provide excellent customer service
• Be in good physical condition
• Be able to identify sequences of numbers (essential)
• Be able to lift cases to various heights while assembling orders for our retail stores (core component of the position and is in accordance with WCB regulations)
• Experience in warehouse work or other physical labour is
• Auxiliary positions are on-call, which means that hours of work are not guaranteed and will be subject to availability. You may or may not work full 35 hour weeks. As you work more hours, you'll gain more seniority, allowing more opportunities for more hours of work.
• Rate of Pay: $17.8165 per hour.

To apply, please visit;

 https://bcliquorstores.prevueaps.ca/pages/distributionopenings/

UWU/MoveUP

The BCGEU has been granted standing at the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) allowing it to make a formal written submission to the public inquiry as an organization.

BCGEU members from across the province have valuable front-line knowledge and experience to contribute through their role in delivering services and supports for vulnerable Indigenous children, women and communities. Our intention is to bring the perspective of members directly to the Inquiry.

To prepare the formal submission, there will be three member engagement forums taking place in Victoria March 22-24, Prince George April 12-14 and Vancouver April 26-28.

At the forums, members from various components of the union will be working together to identify systemic barriers and issues faced by Indigenous women and girls, including policies, procedures and the ability to access services.

To express your interest in attending a BCGEU member consultation forum in Victoria, Prince George or Vancouver, please complete this online member's survey . For questions or to register for the BCGEU member consultation forums in your area, please contact Susan Howatt at [email protected] or by phone at 604-291-9611 or toll free at 1-800-663-1674.

The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls will be holding community hearings in Vancouver from April 4-8 to hear from Indigenous women, girls, and LGBTQ2S people from families of the heart who have lost a loved one and/or from survivors of violence.

If you would like to share your story with the National Inquiry as an individual, you can register for the hearings by emailing [email protected] or by calling 1-844-348-4119. Unfortunately, there is currently a delay in response from the Inquiry staff of at least one week.

To learn more about the National Inquiry community hearings and Truth Gathering process, you can visit their website: www.mmiwg-ffada.ca

National Inquiry Factsheet- How to Participate

National Inquiry Factsheet- Costs that May be Covered to Attend a National Hearing

The community hearings in Vancouver from April 4-8 are part of the national hearings that are organized by the National Inquiry and are not affiliated with the BCGEU member consultation forums.

UWU/MoveUP

March 11^th – 17^th is Social Work Week in B.C.

This week the vital role of social workers is in focus as we celebrate Social Work Week in B.C. Social workers in the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) assist more than 150 000 children, youth and families each year.

"In addition to their important and demanding work, social workers have been tireless advocates for system-wide improvements in recent years," said Judy Fox-McGuire, BCGEU vice president for social, information and health (Component 6). "While the new government has made a significant and promising reinvestment in child welfare, those working in frontline positions still face significant challenges with staffing retention, caseload burdens, and workplace safety."

"The BCGEU understands that the ministry is continuing to hire new workers and expand total staff. We're watching closely to make sure they get the leadership and support they need from management, and that the successful retention of this new staff leads to improvements for all dedicated workers on the frontlines."

"Social work plays a crucial role in our society, not only for individuals, but often entire families and communities," said BCGEU President Stephanie Smith. "As we reflect on the hard work and commitment of our social workers this week, the BCGEU will continue on in its efforts to ensure their needs are met in the workplace."

"This is about providing adequate resources for those who are on the frontlines protecting individuals and families and allowing our most vulnerable citizens access the services they need," said Fox-McGuire. "We will continue to seek feedback from our members as the new resources come in."

The BCGEU is the lead union in B.C. representing social workers, including in regional health authorities, the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, across the Community Social Services sector, and in MCFD.

UWU/MoveUP

A B.C. Children's Representative report that criticizes attempts to restrict an Indigenous woman's parental access clearly shows that we need to change the way services are delivered in Indigenous communities, the BC Government and Service Employees Union (BCGEU) said today.

"Bernard Richard's report identifies a child apprehension policy, put in place by the previous government, that is in urgent need of transformative change," said BCGEU president Stephanie Smith. "Child protection workers often bear the brunt of criticism for implementing government policies, but it is important to put the focus back on the ministry leadership where it belongs."

"We are pleased that the minister publicly acknowledges the difficult work that social workers are asked to perform every day, under very stressful conditions. These professionals have been advocating for improvements in service delivery for many years. It's time for the government to ensure that front line workers have the resources and policy framework in place to fully support British Columbia's Indigenous families."

"We understand that it takes time to steer a large ship in a new direction. Inertia creates its own momentum. But we have a historic opportunity, given the B.C. government's commitment to adopt the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, to implement progressive policies that respect the rights and culture of Indigenous children and families who access government services."

"We are committed to work with the government to ensure that the experience and knowledge of our dedicated members who provide front line support to B.C. families will help inform the structural changes that are needed to provide efficient, compassionate delivery of social services to British Columbians."

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UWU/MoveUP

International Women's Day (IWD) is recognized internationally on March 8th each year to celebrate the global achievements of women and the extraordinary role women have played in their communities and across the world. Despite these successes, we are faced with continued inequality and there is still much to be done. Let's continue to move forward – not backward - on women's rights and equality.

"Through hard work and solidarity, we have made great strides at the bargaining table to improve the overall working conditions of working people, and of all women in BC," said BCGEU President Stephanie Smith. 

"We've achieved significant gains in child and dependent care, harassment and bullying, violence in the workplace, and health and safety, to name a few. But there is still much work to do. With the emergence of #Metoo and Time's Up movements, it is important that we continue to fight for safe, healthy worksites, and the BCGEU has always been at the forefront of that. We have to make sure that we feel empowered to stand up and speak out against harassment, sexual harassment, bullying and gender violence."

The theme for IWD 2018 is #PressforProgress

According to the World Economic Forum's 2017 Global Gender Gap Report, gender parity is over 200 years away. It's time to mobilize and #PressforProgress!

Share your message of support and activism through social media using #pressforprogress and collectively, we can all help to create a more inclusive, gender equal world.

We're also excited to share with you a new campaign in which women in our union and our allies are working for change:

Canadian Labour Congress: Done Waiting

The Canadian Labour Congress is inviting union members to challenge the federal government to make real progress toward women's economic justice. They are calling on them to take three, simple actions in 2017: table pay equity legislation, sign a new deal on child care with the provinces and territories, and put paid domestic violence leave in the Canada Labour Code.

Check out www.donewaiting.ca for more information.

Tampon Tuesday

Periods might be tough to talk about, but they are just a fact of life. Nobody should have to pick between feeding their family and being able to afford basic hygiene products. But sadly too many people are forced to make these tough choices. Too many young girls in our community are missing days at school because they don't have menstruation products. Too many are embarrassed as they scramble to use old cloth scraps or have to ask others for help.

But you can be part of changing this story. By donating hygiene products to Tampon Tuesday between March 6 and 20, you are both helping raise profile about the need in our community and ensuring United Way can get products right to those who need them most. Collection boxes have been set up at BCGEU offices.

We are the Union: Women's Work

ICYMI: Did you get a chance to check out the BCGEU's documentary We are the Union: Women's Work? The BCGEU Provincial Executive Women's Committee produced this powerful documentary video We are the union: Women's Work in the fall of 2016. The film celebrates some of the stories of BCGEU's women members and their remarkable achievements throughout history.

International Women's Day events

International Women's Day Dinner - Women on the Waterfront

Thursday March 8, 5:15 p.m., Vancouver

Hosted by Vancouver District Labour Council

#EMPOWERHER2018: Press for Progress with Senator Mobina Jaffer

Thursday March 8, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Burnaby 

West Coast Leaf Equality Breakfast

Friday March 9, 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m., Vancouver

Women in Entertainment Celebration and Fundraiser

Saturday, 10 March 2018 at 7:00 p.m. 

Imperial Vancouver, 319 Main Street, Vancouver

Raising Hope: International Women's Day Celebration

REED (Resist Exploitation, Embrace Dignity)

Friday, March 9, 2018 from 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM

Vancouver

Let's Elevate Gender-Balanced Leadership

When: March 9 2016

Where: Vancouver, Canada

International Women's Day Celebration and Benefit

Gleneagles Golf Course and Clubhouse, 6190 Marine Drive, West Vancouver

Walk In Her Shoes

When: March 4 2018

Where: Vancouver

CIRCA International Women's Day 2018

When: March 8 2018Where: Vancouver 

Get social

Want to spread the word on social media? Use these relevant International Women's Day hashtags on your social media platforms:

#InternationalWomensDay

#PressforProgress

#DoneWaiting

#iwd2018

#EqualityMatters

UWU/MoveUP

The BC Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU) has released its analysis of the BC NDP's first full provincial budget and financial plan – a budget with a noticeable change of tone from the previous government.

After 16 years of austerity and retrenchment under the BC Liberals, the new government has laid important pathways for the introduction of expansive new strategies and programs to come. In particular, significant commitments to child care and housing affordability will have positive benefits for our members and for all British Columbians.

Budget 2018 is not perfect – this analysis identifies where progress has been made, and where greater investment is still needed. However, the budget is bold, well-measured and conscientious in what it offers British Columbians, and we congratulate the government on this impressive effort to make our province a more affordable, equitable and healthy society for everyone.

Read the analysis here: B.C. Budget Analysis 2018/19 

Read the BCGEU's media release from February 20: BC Budget provides path to affordability and quality public services

UWU/MoveUP