After three days of positive negotiations last week, your bargaining committee was surprised and disappointed that despite our best efforts to bridge the gap, your employer – the B.C. government through the Public Service Agency (PSA) – has refused to table a proposal that meets your key demand of cost-of-living protection.

Talks between your bargaining committee and the employer broke down this morning because the employer refused to engage in further negotiations.

Last week, your bargaining committee developed a creative proposal that addressed what you said you needed, including cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) and wage protection from inflation. We agreed to the employer proposal for a three-year term for a new collective agreement. We also tabled a wage proposal that attempts to work within the fiscal framework of the most recent employer proposal. Instead of matching union moves to reach a deal, the government came back to the table this morning with an unacceptable "take it or leave it" approach and refused to counter our offer.

Their revised wage proposal, tabled last week, failed to meet the needs and priorities that our members– you and the 33,000 other members in the public service – identified for us. 

Your bargaining committee recognized that you would not accept this: you've told us all along that you would not ratify a deal that did not include cost-of-living protections. Ironically, while the provincial government is refusing to give public service workers COLA protections, MLAs have legislated themselves COLA protections.

Our union's revised wage proposal is within the monetary framework that government has laid out, and yet the employer was not willing to budge notwithstanding over $16 billion in unallocated reserves in their current fiscal plan.

Next steps:

As you are likely aware, nearly 95 per cent of you voted in favour of striking for a fair collective agreement that includes cost-of-living adjustments. 

What will happen in the meantime?

• We will be redoubling our efforts to finalize essential services
• We will be planning strategic targeted job action
• For now, your collective agreement remains in place. That means you will continue working as usual until you hear otherwise from your bargaining committee.

Essential service mediated negotiations with the assistance of the Labour Relations Board continue tomorrow.

As always, your bargaining committee remains committed to getting a fair deal. We are ready to roll up our sleeves and get back to the bargaining table as soon as government comes to us with a serious wage proposal that meets your needs. 

We remain united in our commitment to negotiate a deal that members will want to ratify. Our members deserve it, and government can afford it. In the meantime, strike preparations will be ramping up.

In solidarity,

Your BCGEU Public Service Bargaining Committee
Stephanie Smith, President
Paul Finch, Treasurer
Judy Phipps, Executive Vice President
Dean Purdy, Vice President - Component 1
Kusam Doal, Vice President - Component 5
Judy Fox-McGuire, Vice President - Component 6
Kayla Woodruff, Member at Large - Component 6
Maria Middlemiss, Vice President - Component 12
Matt Damario, Component 12
Robert Davis, Vice President - Component 20
Michael Eso, Secretary and Lead Negotiator
Lisa Lane, Support Staff

Download PDF of notice here

UWU/MoveUP

Last week’s strike vote was largest in our union’s history, and the 95% yes vote – with overwhelming turnout – sent a powerful message to government which they heard loud and clear. That pressure motivated them to get back to the table.
 
Backed by that vote, your bargaining committee resumed negotiations with your employer, the Public Service Agency (PSA), this week. On Monday, the PSA tabled a revised monetary proposal. While the revised offer was a marked improvement on their previous offers, it still fell short. However, it showed enough movement to continue negotiations.
 
As a result, your bargaining committee responded with a revised union general wage proposal on Tuesday.
 
You've told us since the beginning of this round of bargaining that COLA protections are key to reaching a deal. Our revised proposal reflects this fact, and we continue to stand strong and united behind this.
 
Bargaining continues in Victoria next week for five days. As always, we will continue to keep you informed every step of the way.
 
We should note as bargaining has resumed, there will be no immediate job action. This means that you should proceed with business as usual at your workplace unless you hear otherwise from your union.
 
With regard to essential services negotiations, we continue to pursue essential services and have mediation dates scheduled at the Labour Relations Board throughout July.
 
Thank you again for your unwavering solidarity and support. We are stronger united, and your employer has certainly seen that.
 
In solidarity,

 
Your BCGEU Public Service Bargaining Committee
Stephanie Smith, President
Paul Finch, Treasurer
Judy Phipps, Executive Vice President
Dean Purdy, Vice President - Component 1
Kusam Doal, Vice President - Component 5
Judy Fox-McGuire, Vice President - Component 6
Kayla Woodruff, Member at Large - Component 6
Maria Middlemiss, Vice President - Component 12
Matt Damario, Component 12
Robert Davis, Vice President - Component 20
Michael Eso, Secretary and Lead Negotiator
Lisa Lane, Support Staff

Download PDF of notice here

UWU/MoveUP

Nearly 95 per cent of BCGEU's public service members vote in favour of strike in their fight for a fair contract

Employer bends before votes are counted and asks union to return to bargaining

BURNABY, B.C. – Hundreds of BC General Employees' Union (BCGEU) activists have pressured their employer to return to negotiations by organizing the union's biggest ever strike vote for 33,000 members in the public service. Today ballots were counted, and an overwhelming 94.6 per cent of voters said they are prepared to strike for a fair collective agreement.

"I couldn't be happier with this strong result," says Stephanie Smith, president of the BCGEU and chair of the union's bargaining committee. "But it was the lead-up - the five weeks of intensive organizing, pop-up voting sites and mail-in ballot-collecting - that really forced the public service agency to change its tune."

Between May 16 and June 22, BCGEU members employed with the PSA – with the support of BCGEU staff – embarked on an ambitious member outreach drive to ensure everyone in the bargaining unit could cast their ballot. As the vote wrapped up their employer suddenly invited BCGEU back to bargaining. Negotiations will resume on Monday, June 27, in Vancouver.

"This vote was a massive undertaking, and just by participating in it, our members clearly made waves," says Smith. "The voting results drove their point home and sent a strong message to the employer that their staff stand behind their demands, including cost of living protection for wages. We'll see how well the employer was listening when we return to bargaining next week."

As inflation continues to skyrocket – reaching 8.1 per cent in B.C. today – it erodes workers' spending power. Cost of living protections for wages has become a key issue for all workers, including the public service. Members of their bargaining unit are employees of direct government, including wildfire fighters, social workers, sheriffs and correctional officers, administrative staff, employees in BC Liquor and Cannabis stores and warehouses, as well as conservation officers, employees who do field and lab work in the realm of environmental monitoring, and more.

From the moment bargaining for their collective agreement began, members said that COLA was a must for the province to continue recruiting and retaining the qualified staff needed to keep our province running.

"Our province was in an affordability crisis before the pandemic and before inflation started to skyrocket last year," says Smith. "Any wage offer that doesn't include COLA protection is a wage cut, and no worker should have to accept a pay cut."

The public service strike vote sends a message of solidarity to hundreds of thousands of other public sector workers who are, or soon will be, in bargaining including staff at addiction treatment centres, group homes, community health, seniors' care, homes for persons with developmental disabilities, and more.

"A win for the BCGEU's public service members is a win for every public sector worker in B.C.," Smith says, "This vote will empower all of them to fight for COLA language."

Smith adds that she is hopeful the PSA's decision to resume negotiations means they're prepared to table a serious offer. "Our goal has always been to get a deal at the bargaining table. But if the employer is not fair and reasonable, members are prepared to action their strike vote in the future."

The BCGEU is the first of many public sector unions to bargain with the government in 2022. In total, almost 400,000 public sector workers have agreements that will, or already have, expire this year.

--30--

For more information contact BCGEU Communications: [email protected], 604-291-9611

UWU/MoveUP

Public Service Agency feels the pressure and asks BCGEU to return to negotiations

Your bargaining committee has big news. After five weeks of organizing the largest strike vote in BCGEU history, dozens of your coworkers, your Public Service Bargaining Committee and BCGEU staff gathered at BCGEU headquarters for the vote count. And the results were staggering, you overwhelmingly voted in favour of strike action to get a fair deal that meets our needs.

94.6% of you voted YES, sending a powerful message to our employer that you know our worth, we refused to be breadcrumbed, and we are standing together behind our demands – the top one being cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) protections.

But that is not all. Your employer, the Public Service Agency (PSA) has asked your bargaining committee to resume negotiations. This sudden movement is thanks to your inspiring commitment and engagement over the last five weeks.

The public strike vote was a massive undertaking that required endless hours of work and hundreds of member volunteers to accomplish. Your employer felt the pressure from your solidarity and participation, which spanned worksites and communities across B.C., and it pushed them to respond. You should be proud!

Watch a video update from president Stephanie Smith
BCGEU members have spoken loud and clear, and now it's time to find out if the PSA has been listening.

What's Next?
Our goal has always been to get a deal at the bargaining table. Now that the employer has changed their tune and agreed to return to negotiations, we are hopeful that the PSA is prepared to table a reasonable offer that will make this deal happen.

But we cannot be sure, and thanks to your strong strike vote, if the employer fails to table a fair offer, we have another tool we can use to win a collective agreement that meets your needs.

To be clear: We do not anticipate immediate job action. You should proceed with business as usual until you hear otherwise from your union.

For now, negotiations are resuming on Monday, June 27, so we will continue to work as usual. Next week we will have more updates on bargaining. While we bargain, your worksite contacts and stewards will continue to keep you engaged and mobilized.

We want to thank you for this show of solidarity. No matter what role you played in this strike vote, you were part of this success, and you should be proud.

In solidarity,

Your BCGEU Public Service Bargaining Committee
 
Stephanie Smith, President
Paul Finch, Treasurer
Judy Phipps, Executive Vice President
Dean Purdy, Vice President - Component 1
Kusam Doal, Vice President - Component 5
Judy Fox-McGuire, Vice President - Component 6
Kayla Woodruff, Member at Large - Component 6
Maria Middlemiss, Vice President - Component 12
Matt Damario, Component 12
Robert Davis, Vice President - Component 20
Michael Eso, Secretary and Lead Negotiator
Lisa Lane, Support Staff

UWU/MoveUP

Earlier this year, the provincial government amended the Employment Standards Act to provide for five days paid sick leave for workers, effective January 1^st, 2022.
 
For workers covered by a collective agreement, the government said that to ensure government’s intent that the paid sick leave entitlement is applied to all employees in B.C., the clause that relates to collective agreements is being amended. This change was passed into law on March 31^st.  
 
Read the provincial government’s announcement here.
 
Since the changes to the law, our union has repeatedly engaged your employer – the Public Service Agency (PSA) – about their plans to implement five days sick leave for public service workers. Despite these efforts, the PSA has failed to implement these changes. To make matters worse, MyHR, an arm of the PSA is sharing incorrect information about these changes. In response to a worker’s question this week, MyHR advised the member as follows:
 
The existing Short Term Illness and Injury Plan (STIIP) provides benefits for up to 6 months for the vast majority of the bargaining unit. As such, the STIIP provisions for bargaining unit employees exceed those of the Employment Standards Act. As a result, no bargaining unit employees are eligible for this leave. Eligibility for STIIP benefits remains unchanged.
 
This information is false.
 
Under section 49.1(1) of the Employment Standards Act, after 90 days of employment, employees can take up to 5 paid days and 3 unpaid days of job-protected leave per calendar year. This leave is employee-initiated and employees decide whether they are requesting paid or unpaid leave. The Act requires an employer to ensure all wages are paid within 8 days of each pay period.
 
Read the full government policy here.
 
Our union will continue to push the provincial government to implement these changes. We are unclear why these changes have not been put into place for public service workers. As the five days of fully paid leave are retroactive to the beginning of the calendar year, some workers were not paid at the appropriate rate. We will continue to pressure government to ensure these members are compensated.
 
In the meantime, we encourage all workers who have more than 90 days of employment and who need to take sick leave, request that the first five days of leave be paid at 100 per cent. The BCGEU is examining our legal options including a policy grievance and will have further guidance shortly.
 
In solidarity,
 
Your BCGEU Public Service Bargaining Committee
 
Stephanie Smith, President
Paul Finch, Treasurer
Judy Phipps, Executive Vice President
Dean Purdy, Vice President - Component 1
Kusam Doal, Vice President - Component 5
Judy Fox-McGuire, Vice President - Component 6
Kayla Woodruff, Member at Large - Component 6
Maria Middlemiss, Vice President - Component 12
Matt Damario, Component 12
Robert Davis, Vice President - Component 20
Michael Eso, Secretary and Lead Negotiator
Lisa Lane, Support Staff

Download PDF of notice here

UWU/MoveUP

Have you voted yet? A strong strike vote and a high turnout are critical to reaching a deal that members – you – will want to ratify. Why should you vote yes? The bottom line is any wage offer that doesn’t include cost of living protection (COLA) is a wage cut. No worker should be expected to take a wage cut. That’s why a strong “YES” vote is so important.
 
By delivering a strong strike mandate, we will be sending a powerful message to your employer that cost-of-living protection for wages is still the top priority this round of bargaining and that we are not wavering on that. We remain steadfast on achieving a fair wage increase, and we stand united.

How to vote:
The strike vote deadline is coming up fast, so vote as soon as possible. All ballots must be received at BCGEU HQ or at any BCGEU area office before 5 p.m. on Friday, June 17^th.

If you have still not had the opportunity to cast your ballot in the strike vote, there is still time:

Vote with your steward or worksite contact: At most worksites, a steward or worksite contact is distributing ballots and administering the vote at the worksite. Contact [email protected] if you’re not sure who your worksite contact is.

Vote at a BCGEU area office. You can vote at any BCGEU area office between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.

Vote at our Strike Vote Zone Houses in Victoria and Burnaby 
You can vote at the Victoria or Burnaby Zone Houses:
 
Victoria Zone House
1250 Quadra Victoria
Mon, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Tues, Wed, Thurs 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
Fri, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Burnaby Zone House
4423 Ledger Ave, Burnaby
Tues, Wed, Thurs 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
 
Important voting reminder to include your Member ID: You will need your member ID to vote. For your convenience, your Member ID is: 
 
Resources and contact info:
 

• Bargaining email: [email protected]
• Bargaining toll-free number: 1-888-984-1632
• Bargaining website
• Bargaining Q&A  (accessible through the Member Portal and updated regularly)

 
In the News
BCGEU President Stephanie Smith – who also serves as Chair of the Public Service Bargaining Committee – spoke with My PG Now reporter Brendan Pawliw yesterday about the current status of the strike vote and what possible job action could look like.
 
Member Portal
Does our union have your personal email address and phone number on file? Log in to the Member Portal here to ensure your contact information is up-to-date. If you’ve forgotten your password, you can reset it here.
 
A reminder that we may need to reach you by phone or text message, so we recommend providing a cell phone number to ensure you don’t miss any information. If you don’t have a cell phone, be sure to provide a phone number where we can reach you.
 
 
Thanks again for your ongoing support.
 
In solidarity,
 
Your BCGEU Public Service Bargaining Committee
 
Stephanie Smith, President
Paul Finch, Treasurer
Judy Phipps, Executive Vice President
Dean Purdy, Vice President - Component 1
Kusam Doal, Vice President - Component 5
Judy Fox-McGuire, Vice President - Component 6
Kayla Woodruff, Member at Large - Component 6
Maria Middlemiss, Vice President - Component 12
Matt Damario, Component 12
Robert Davis, Vice President - Component 20
Michael Eso, Secretary and Lead Negotiator
Lisa Lane, Support Staff

Download PDF of notice here

UWU/MoveUP

The strike vote is well underway, and we are gaining more momentum each day. Have you voted yet?
 
Your bargaining committee is pleased to report that over 500 members stepped up as worksite contacts to help with the vote – not to mention the 800 stewards who are also helping!
 
In addition, hundreds of members have been booked off to help get out the vote: These members are working hard making calls, sending texts, and running “pop up voting locations” outside worksites and community hubs to help make sure every member gets a chance to vote.
 
Why vote “yes”? A strong strike vote will send the employer a powerful message to come back to the bargaining table with a more reasonable offer, one that members will want to ratify. It is important to remember that voting in favour of a strike does not necessarily mean we will go on strike or commence other types of job action. Without a strike mandate, members’ wages will effectively be cut due to the high rate of inflation.
 
If you have NOT received your ballot yet, please contact us right away:

• Bargaining email: [email protected] or
• Bargaining toll-free number: 1-888-984-1632

 
If you have questions about the strike vote, check out our FAQ page located in the Member Portal. Read them here and check back as this resource will be updated regularly.
 
Voting Opportunities
At most worksites, a steward or worksite contact is distributing ballots and administering the vote at the worksite. Contact [email protected] if you’re not sure who your worksite contact is.
 
You can also vote at any BCGEU area office between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.
 
If you live or work in South Island or the Lower Mainland, you can vote at the Victoria or Burnaby Zone Houses:
 
Victoria Zone House
1250 Quadra Victoria*
Mon, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Tues, Wed, Thurs 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
Fri, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
 
Burnaby Zone House
4423 Ledger Ave, Burnaby*
Tues, Wed, Thurs 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
 
*Both Zone Houses will be operational on this weekly schedule until at least the close of the strike vote, excluding stat holidays.
 
IMPORTANT: You’ll need your Member ID or Employee ID to vote. 

Also, if you haven’t already done so, please log in to Member Portal and ensure that your personal email and cell phone number are on file. The strike vote outreach team requires your personal contact information to connect with you about pop-up voting locations.
 
Find us on social media!
Remember to take a selfie when you cast your ballot, include the hashtag #bcgeuvotes and tag us. You can find us:

• BCGEU Twitter  
• BCGEU Facebook  
• BCGEU Instagram

Farewell to Cynthia
Your bargaining committee would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to outgoing public service bargaining committee member Cynthia Mepham-Egli (Component 6 Acting First Vice-Chairperson). On behalf of the entire public service bargaining unit, we wish Cynthia all the very best and we are grateful for her commitment and dedication. The committee would also like to offer a warm welcome to our newest member of the bargaining committee, Kayla Woodruff. Kayla has been a BCGEU member since 2016 and is a child protection social worker at MCFD. She has been on the BCGEU Young Workers Committee since 2019.
 
Once again, thanks to all of you. Together, let’s send a united message to the employer that it’s time to get back to the bargaining table with a wage offer that meets your needs.
  
 
In solidarity,
 
Your BCGEU Public Service Bargaining Committee
 
Stephanie Smith, President
Paul Finch, Treasurer
Judy Phipps, Executive Vice President
Dean Purdy, Vice President - Component 1
Kusam Doal, Vice President - Component 5
Judy Fox-McGuire, Vice President - Component 6
Kayla Woodruff, Member at Large - Component 6
Maria Middlemiss, Vice President - Component 12
Matt Damario, Component 12 First Vice-Chairperson
Robert Davis, Vice President - Component 20
Michael Eso, Secretary and Lead Negotiator
Lisa Lane, Support Staff


Download PDF of notice here
 

UWU/MoveUP

We are only five days into balloting for the public service strike vote and there has been tremendous level of engagement and turnout so far. Your bargaining committee is thrilled to see this level of enthusiasm from members, because a strong turnout is as important as a strong "yes" vote. By voting yes, you are helping to deliver a strong message to your employer that we are serious about our wage demands.

Remember: if you haven't received your ballot by Tuesday, May 24th contact us:

• Bargaining email: [email protected] or
• Bargaining toll-free number: 1-888-984-1632

Members started receiving ballots on Monday, via paper ballots primarily distributed by stewards and worksite contacts in worksites. Note: ballots are not mailed to members' home addresses, except in certain cases such as if you are on leave or working remotely. 

Other voting opportunities

Pop up voting stations are also available, and members will receive an email at least a day in advance, or the morning of, if there is one in your area. Our strike vote outreach team will also be texting and calling members to notify them of these voting opportunities.

In addition, voting "Zone Houses" are currently located in Victoria and Burnaby. Feel free to stop by to cast your ballot:

• Victoria, 1250 Quadra, open Tues to Thursday, 11am – 7pm
• Burnaby, 4423 Ledger Ave, open Tues to Thursday, 11am – 7pm

Q&A

Do you have questions about the strike vote? Your Public Service Bargaining Committee has posted frequently asked questions and answers from members related to the public service strike vote. Read them here and check back as this resource will be updated regularly. (Please note: the FAQs are accessible through Member Portal). You can also read more details about how to cast your ballot here.

Get social!

We are encouraging members on social media to take selfies when you cast your ballot in the strike vote. Be sure to tag BCGEU and use the hashtag #bcgeuvotes!

• BCGEU Twitter 
• BCGEU Facebook 
• BCGEU Instagram

In the news

Check out BCGEU President Stephanie Smith in this week's Business in Vancouver article, talking about how the wage demands of public sector workers aren't driving inflation, they're a reaction to inflation.

In solidarity,
 
Your BCGEU Public Service Bargaining Committee
 
Stephanie Smith, President
Paul Finch, Treasurer
Judy Phipps, Executive Vice President
Dean Purdy, Vice President - Component 1
Kusam Doal, Vice President - Component 5
Judy Fox-McGuire, Vice President - Component 6
Kayla Woodruff, Member at Large - Component 6
Maria Middlemiss, Vice President - Component 12
Matt Damario, Component 12 First Vice-Chairperson
Robert Davis, Vice President - Component 20
Michael Eso, Secretary and Lead Negotiator
Lisa Lane, Support Staff

Download PDF of notice here 

UWU/MoveUP

Today marks the start of the strike vote in B.C.'s public service. You and 33,000 other members in this bargaining unit will be casting your vote to help deliver a strong message to your employer to compel them to get back to the bargaining table with a wage offer that meets your needs. 

Your bargaining committee recommends that all member vote "YES" to show the employer that members are united in our demands for cost of living protections (COLA).

Members will start receiving ballots today, via paper ballots primarily distributed by stewards and worksite contacts in worksites. If you are on leave or working remotely and have questions about how to get your ballot, please contact [email protected]as soon as possible to make sure you get your chance to vote.

If you have not received your ballot by Tuesday, May 24^th please contact:

• Bargaining email: [email protected] or
• Bargaining toll-free number: 1-888-984-1632

You will receive one ballot, one small brown envelope and one declaration envelope. Here is the process for voting:
 
1. Mark your ballot with an "X" in one box only. Other marks or writing may result in the ballot being spoiled. 

2. Fill out the declaration envelope and include your signature and Member ID or Employee ID so we can confirm that you are eligible to vote.
 
3. Insert your ballot into the small brown envelope and seal it. Then insert the sealed brown envelope into the declaration envelope and seal it. This double envelope system keeps your vote private.
 
4. If you are voting at your worksite or a BCGEU area office, please return your ballot to your steward or worksite contact, or deposit it in a ballot box. If you are voting by mail, please return your ballot in the prepaid return envelope provided.
 
A strong strike vote is critical: we need both a high turnout and a strong strike mandate. This sends the employer a powerful message that will let them know that we are serious about our proposals. A strong strike mandate vote does not necessarily mean we will go on strike or job action, but it shows the employer that we are ready to do so if necessary. Remember, this is your collective agreement – make sure your voice is heard by casting your ballot.
 
In solidarity,
 
Your BCGEU Public Service Bargaining Committee
 
Stephanie Smith, President
Paul Finch, Treasurer
Judy Phipps, Executive Vice President
Dean Purdy, Vice President - Component 1
Kusam Doal, Vice President - Component 5
Judy Fox-McGuire, Vice President - Component 6
Cynthia Mepham-Egli, Component 6 Acting First Vice-Chairperson
Maria Middlemiss, Vice President - Component 12
Matt Damario, Component 12 First Vice-Chairperson
Robert Davis, Vice President - Component 20
Michael Eso, Secretary and Lead Negotiator
Lisa Lane, Support Staff

Download PDF of notice here
Download the "How to Vote" PDF here. 

UWU/MoveUP