Bargaining Update

The parties met again in bargaining on March 4, 2021. The employer tabled another settlement proposal that was completely unacceptable. While proposed wage increases were better than the 0% the employer had proposed earlier, most other monetary improvements from its previous proposal were removed. Your bargaining committee cancelled the bargaining session that had been scheduled for March 8, 2021 and told the employer it would consider all available options to pressure it to reach the fair deal you deserve.

We know you are united behind your bargaining committee, and prepared and motivated to do what it takes to get a fair deal. Your bargaining committee strongly encourages you to vote "yes" for a strike. We are fighting for more than the employer is prepared to give, and the only way to get it is with a strong "yes" vote to show the employer you are ready to go on strike.

Strike Vote Meeting Details

Check your email or speak with a member of your bargaining committee for meeting participation details

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 difficulty joining the meeting online, then the teleconference option may be best.

The meeting will begin with a brief report from your bargaining committee, strike administrative and logistical information from your staff representative and an opportunity for you to ask questions and have a discussion before voting commences.

Strike Pay and Related Information

BCGEU policy requires information about strike pay and more to be presented to members during a strike vote meeting during which members will be able to ask all questions they may have about the process. We are providing this summary of strike pay information in advance for members' convenience. Please raise any questions you may have during the strike vote meeting.

General

Strike pay provided by the BCGEU is amongst the highest available from any union. However, strike pay is not intended to provide total income replacement; at best it augments other income and savings to reduce the financial impact of a strike. Most members will experience some degree of financial duress during a strike.

Rate

The BCGEU Provincial Executive has authorized what's called "target pay" for a potential strike at Nanaimo Seniors Village. This means a higher rate of strike pay and is the highest strike pay presently provided to BCGEU members. While regular base strike pay is $375 per week, target strike pay for this dispute has been set at a maximum of $100 per day or $500 per week or 70% of regular gross earnings, whichever is less.

For members without regular fixed weekly hours of work, earnings are calculated as the average of three consecutive pay stubs for hours worked prior to the strike. These members should start saving their paystubs or print your last three and continue to do so if and when job action occurs.

Eligibility

To be eligible for strike pay a member must perform strike-related duties-usually picketing-as required. A picket schedule would be established by the picket captains and approved by the rep and participation would establish eligibility for strike pay.

Benefits

The BCGEU ensures that health and welfare benefits normally provided by the employer are continued during a strike. More details will be provided at the strike information meeting.

Expenses

Provincial Executive Policy K-08 addresses the topic of strike expense reimbursement and is mostly relevant to members designated to administer the strike, e.g. picket captains. Reasonable picket line infrastructure support, e.g. signs, flags, canopies/shelters, heaters, toilets, water, etc. as approved by the staff rep(s), would all be eligible expenses. Note that BCGEU policy does not allow Headquarters to reimburse the cost of food and beverages. Sometimes a Component will authorize reimbursement for food and beverages.

Essential Services

While all jobs at Nanaimo Seniors Village are important, by law an essential service is one that, should it be denied, might negatively affect the health, safety or welfare of a person receiving the service. In many jobs there are portions that may not be essential that could be set aside for the duration of a strike. The union and employer negotiate what is considered essential and how many hours our members may have to work. Note that while there may be some overlap, "essential services" has a different meaning for a strike than it does for the current coronavirus public health emergency.

Voting Information

We are pleased to announce secure electronic voting for this strike vote. At the end of the strike vote meeting, you will receive an email with a link to vote online and your unique voting credential. Voting will open on Tuesday, March 16, 2021 at 8:30 PM and will close on Thursday, March 18, 2021 at 5:00 PM. Please participate and vote. This is the only method for casting a ballot.

A member who does not receive a voting credential (likely because the BCGEU does not have their personal email address), or who experiences problems casting their vote, should contact [email protected] and/or the Returning Officer, Ryan Stewart, at [email protected] or by calling 604-291-9611 or toll-free 1-833-837-5223, ASAP after voting opens and by no later than March 18, 2021 at 4:00 PM. This will allow enough time for problems to be addressed before voting closes. Note that phone support is available only during regular BCGEU office hours.

A member without a personal email address may request the assistance of a bargaining committee member to help set one up.

A copy of the formal notice of poll is attached.

Again, we strongly encourage you to vote "yes" for a strike.

In solidarity,

Karen Dalton, Bargaining Committee Chair
Edith Eggimann, Bargaining Committee Member
Randi Halliday, Bargaining Committee Member
Ryan Stewart, Staff Representative, Negotiations

UWU/MoveUP