NEWS

December 07, 2017

Statement on Fair Wages Commission - BCGEU

Today, December 7, is the final day to provide submissions to B.C.'s Fair Wages Commission. The BCGEU would like to mark this date by calling for the immediate implementation of a $15 per hour minimum wage for all workers in our province.

The BCGEU is a tireless advocate for fair wages for all workers. Daily, BCGEU members providing health and social services confront the consequences of low wages, poverty and growing inequality our province, including poor nutrition, inadequate housing, mental health and addictions issues. Many BCGEU members have themselves organized and struggled to earn more than the minimum wage. They know frsthand the positive difference that making a decent wage makes in their lives, and they want the same for all British Columbians – right now.

There is no good reason for British Columbians to wait for a higher minimum wage. The province's economy is very strong. And modern economic research has demonstrated that a reasonable increase in the minimum wage is good for workers and the economy.

Today, and every day, we call for an end to poverty wages in BC.

You can read our full submission to the Fair Wages Commission online

December 07, 2017

Watch Minister Eby's Address To C1 Conference Conference - BCGEU

Union activists from across the province gathered in Surrey BC this week to discuss important issues for Component 1 members.

We reviewed grievance arbitration, short term illness and injury plan (STIIP) and long term disability (LTD) issues, gangs and threats, pensions and more. 

We also were updated on the progress of sheriff retention and recruitment efforts. Attorney General David Eby sent a video message of support to the conference, citing retention and wages as key issues which need to be addressed. Watch Minister Eby's remarks here.

Additionally, Component 1 has added a deputy sheriff specific position to the component executive to enhance sheriff representation in our union. The first deputy sheriff representative is Mike Redlick from local 102 Nanaimo sheriffs, and the alternate is David Davidson from local 105 Kamloops sheriffs. 

In Solidarity,

Dean Purdy, Vice President, Component 1
Mike Redlick, Deputy Sheriff Representative, Component 1 

December 07, 2017

Watch Minister Farnworth's Address To C1 Conference - BCGEU

 

Union activists from across the province gathered in Surrey BC this week to discuss important issues for Component 1 members.

We reviewed grievance arbitration, short term illness and injury plan (STIIP) and long term disability (LTD) issues, gangs and threats, pensions and more. 
 
Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth sent a video message of support to the conference, citing retention and wages as key issues which need to be addressed. Watch Minister Farnworth's remarks here.


In Solidarity,

Dean Purdy, Vice President, Component 1

December 06, 2017

BCGEU Remembers Maureen Headley - BCGEU

I am saddened today to inform BCGEU members and staff that long-time former employee Maureen Headley passed away on Monday December 4 after a long fight with cancer.

Maureen worked at the BCGEU for over 12 years. She served BCGEU members as an organizer, as the assistant director of Membership Records, and as both assistant director and later as director of the Collective Bargaining & Arbitration Department.

After leaving the BCGEU, Maureen worked as a union-side labour lawyer for over a decade before joining the board of directors for the Health Sciences Association in 2006.

On behalf of all BCGEU members, I would like to extend my condolences to Maureen's family and friends.

Maureen's contributions to the labour movement in B.C. will not be forgotten.

Stephanie Smith
BCGEU President

December 05, 2017

BC’s Liquor Distribution Branch the right choice to manage cannabis - BCGEU

 

December 5, 2017

BC's Liquor Distribution Branch the right choice to manage cannabis

 

The B.C. government's decision to make the Liquor Distribution Branch responsible for the distribution of non-medical cannabis is the right choice for British Columbia, the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union said today.

"We applaud the BC government's decision to warehouse and distribute cannabis through the Liquor Distribution Branch," says BCGEU president Stephanie Smith. "It is the right choice for British Columbians."

The government release notes that they anticipate establishing a public-private retail model for non-medical cannabis. Although the announcement doesn't provide details about the retail model, the BCGEU in partnership with ABLE BC since 2015 to advocate for a distribution and retail system that includes public and private liquor stores as primary retails outlets.

"We are encouraged that the government is seriously considering a public-private retail structure for the sale of cannabis in British Columbia," says Smith. "BC's public and private liquor stores have a proven track record over many decades, selling controlled alcohol products to adults in a responsible manner. We look forward to seeing the detailed proposal as soon as it is available."

The BCGEU is one of the largest unions in British Columbia, representing over 73,000 members in direct government service, the broader public sector and service sectors across the province, including members working in the B.C Liquor Distribution Branch.

 

 

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December 05, 2017

National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women - BCGEU

 

December 6: 

 

National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

December 6th is a dark day in our country’s history. It marks the anniversary of the 1989 École Polytechnique Massacre in Montreal, in which 14 women were singled out for their gender and killed.

The 14 women slain in this horrific act of misogyny and gender-based violence were Geneviève Bergeron, Hélène Colgan, Nathalie Croteau, Barbara Daigneault, Anne-Marie Edward, Maud Haviernick, Maryse Laganière, Maryse Leclair, Anne-Marie Lemay, Sonia Pelletier, Michèle Richard, Annie St-Arneault, Annie Turcotte and Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz.

Now known as the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, December 6th is commemorated every year in Canada and is often marked by candlelit vigils and other events.

“Today, let’s all take a moment to remember not only the young women killed in Montreal, but all women whose lives have been lost to violence,” said Stephanie Smith, BCGEU President. “Together, we must all take action and get involved to help eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.”

 

 

Events:

 

Here are some events happening around BC:

 

  • A Dinner Educational: Taking Action Against Violence against Women (New Westminster)

http://bcfed.ca/events/dinner-educational-taking-action-against-violence-against-women

 

  • Cowichan Women Against Violence Candlelight Vigil

https://www.facebook.com/events/164414600812175/

 

  • Richmond Vigil: National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

https://www.facebook.com/events/134800483907251/

 

  • Surrey: Heart to Heart – Violence Against Women

https://www.facebook.com/events/154942361923680/

 

  • Surrey: End Violence Against Women 7th Annual Candlelit Vigil

https://events.bcgeu.ca/end_violence_against_women_7th_annual_candle_light_vigil_in_surrey

 

 

The Facts:

 

Here are a few statistics from the World Health Organization and the Canadian Women’s Foundation:

 

  • Approximately every six days, a woman in Canada is killed by her intimate partner.
  • Aboriginal women are killed at six times the rate of non-aboriginal women.
  • 67% of Canadians say they have personally known at least one woman who has experienced physical or sexual abuse.
  • On any given night in Canada, 3,491 women and their 2,724 children sleep in shelters because it isn't safe at home.
  • Global estimates published by WHO indicate that about 1 in 3 (35%) of women worldwide have experienced either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime.
  • Globally, as many as 38% of murders of women are committed by a male intimate partner.
  • Violence against women – particularly intimate partner violence and sexual violence – is a major public health problem and a violation of women's human rights.

 

Resources:

 

Battered Women’s Support Services: http://www.bwss.org/

Canadian Women’s Foundation: http://www.canadianwomen.org/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 05, 2017

BCGEU welcomes wildfire review - BCGEU

 

BCGEU welcomes wildfire review

 

The BC Government and Service Employees' Union welcomes the BC government's announcement of an independent review of wildfire and flood response today.

"Our members, who provide on-the-ground emergency fire and flood response across the province, are happy to hear that the government has initiated a review of the catastrophic natural events of the past year," says BCGEU president Stephanie Smith. "We look forward to engaging with the independent review panel, to make suggestions on how to improve the province's response to these events going forward."

"We have some of the best frontline staff in the province and the country," says BCGEU Environmental, Technical and Operational component vice president George Buis. "I know they will share their experiences and lessons learned from this flood and fire season to help our future response efforts. We welcome the opportunity to contribute to this work."

BCGEU members provide direct wildfire protection services across the province, as well as provincial emergency response services to British Columbia communities.

 

 

 

December 01, 2017

Ministry resources new Overdose Emergency Response Centre, more staff to step...

Victoria – Today the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions announced an escalation of their emergency response to the overdose crisis. To deal with the deepening crisis across the province, the government is setting up a centralized Overdose Emergency Response Centre to coordinate a response to the overdose crisis that spans the province.

“Seeing the government move forward with creating new full-time jobs to tackle this crisis is an extremely welcome development” said Stephanie Smith, BCGEU President. “Up until now, the response to the overdose crisis has fallen disproportionately on front line workers and members of the community who have stepped up in compassionate response. With a new comprehensive approach to resourcing the response there is hope we can start to turn the corner on the crisis.” 

The new response centre will have a $6 million annual budget through to 2020. This will assist, among other things, in bringing together the many different public actors that have been dealing with issues related to the crisis, including: provincial ministries, health authorities, municipal and Indigenous governments, and law enforcement. 

In the last year there have already been over 1100 overdose related deaths linked to fentanyl. The crisis has left families and communities trying to heal from the anguish of losing loved ones, as well as many workers in government agencies and front-line community services with serious trauma related to their work as first responders in many overdose cases.

Over the last twelve months, the BCGEU has consulted with members across the province to hear about how the crisis is affecting them, in particular, the mental health impacts for front line workers who act as first responders.  A small number of those stories have been shared with the public at fentanyl.bcgeu.ca

“The experience of our members, many of whom have been working as de-facto first responders, has been instrumental in helping us understand the cumulative impacts of this crisis on our communities and the networks of organizations and agencies that support them,” said Smith. “We will continue to support the fine work of members through the new emergency response centre, and where appropriate, seek to provide expert advice to the Ministry through the newly implemented structure.”

The BCGEU is British Columbia's fastest growing union, with more than 73,000 members working in direct government service, the broader public sector and private service sectors. 

MoveUP/UWU

November 28, 2017

Sacred Water Ceremony - BCGEU

National Aboriginal Peoples Circle
BCGEU
Vancouver Island Human Rights Committee
PSACBC

Presents a

 SACRED WATER CEREMONY

According to Vice News Canada, as of July 31 2017, there were a total of 121 First Nations under 172 drinking water advisories across Canada.

ACCESS TO CLEAN AND SAFE WATER IS A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT

Join Todd Smith, PSAC A/Regional Executive Vice-President, and Sussanne Skidmore, BCGEU Executive Vice-President, and stand in solidarity with Indigenous people.

Walk with us in a …

SACRED WATER CEREMONY

To be held on the traditional lands of the Coast Salish Lekwungen – Songhees & Esquimalt First Nations

INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY, DECEMBER 10

  • Start at 1:00PM, Douglas Street at Dallas Road
  • End at 4:30PM, Victoria Inner Harbour
  • Speakers and reflection along the route
  • Full itinerary and details at psacbc.com
  • More information at thirstyforjustice.ca

Sacred Water Itinerary 

Sacred Water Ceremony Poster