Component bargaining for the Administrative Services Component will begin Monday, January 31, 2022 and run until Friday, February 4, 2022.
 
Your bargaining committee is comprised of:
 
Maria Middlemiss, Vice President, Administrative Services Component
Matt Damario, 2^nd Vice President, Administrative Services Component
Robert (Bob) Kary, Local 1208 Chairperson
Danielle (DJ) Pohl, Local 1204 Chairperson
Jason Singh, Local 1203 1^st Vice Chairperson
Sheila Puga, BCGEU Staff Negotiator
 
Your committee has put together a comprehensive package of proposals to address key issues put forward by members of the component through their local executives.
 
An update will be provided to all members at the conclusion of bargaining.

Download PDF of notice here

UWU/MoveUP

UWU/MoveUP

BCGEU President and Public Service Bargaining Committee Chair Stephanie Smith announced this week that negotiations aimed at reaching our 19^th public service main and component collective agreements will kick off at the end of this month.

"I'm pleased that the BCGEU and the PSA will begin negotiations on January 31 well ahead of the March 31, 2022 expiry of the current collective agreements," said Smith. "Every round of bargaining is an opportunity to make sure the lived experiences of members are reflected in their collective agreements and I can't remember a time when there were so many experiences to draw from.

"Since the current agreement ratified in 2018, BCGEU members in the public service have faced extraordinary risks and challenges from the pandemic as well as devastating extreme weather events. You have also gone above and beyond working towards lasting reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, eliminating racism and discrimination from your workplaces, and making our province a more diverse, equitable and inclusive place. Your bargaining proposals are based on everything you've learned from those experiences and addressing your demands in your next collective agreement is one way your employer can show respect for everything you've done."

Under the Public Service Labour Relations Act, public service bargaining includes component agreements which cover occupational specific issues as well as a main public service agreement which spell out the wages, terms and conditions for all public service workers.

Due to surging cases of the Omicron variant and high community transmission, your bargaining committee and the B.C. Public Service Agency who represent the province at the bargaining table, have mutually agreed to modify our upcoming public service bargaining schedule to ensure health and safety protocols are in place for both bargaining committees.

The agreed to bargaining schedule is:

Component bargaining will take place from Monday, January 31 to Friday, February 4.

Main table bargaining will take place beginning Tuesday, February 8 for a five week period until Friday, March 11.

The Public Service Bargaining Committee has been hard at work since last fall preparing our proposals to go to the bargaining table. This has included considering bargaining proposals from BCGEU public service locals, a membership bargaining questionnaire, as well as a detailed membership poll conducted by one of B.C.'s foremost pollsters, Mario Canseco.

"The BCGEU has conducted the most detailed and comprehensive preparations for public service negotiations in our history," said Smith. "This included reviewing nearly 500 proposals from union locals, 5800 bargaining survey results and polling results from over 5000 members. Members' input has been clear and consistent: you want a fair and equitable contract that addresses the rapidly rising cost-of-living, builds on the gains we achieved in the current agreement and recognizes how critically important public services and workers are to British Columbians."

Your bargaining committees will update you as bargaining proceeds and will keep you informed every step of the way.

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
Doug Dykens, Director - Field Services & Negotiations
Michael Eso, Secretary and Chief Negotiator
Lisa Lane, Support Staff

UWU/MoveUP

Delegates from communities across the province gathered in Vancouver last Friday to discuss priorities and bargaining strategies at the public service bargaining conference.

BCGEU President and Public Service Bargaining Committee Chair Stephanie Smith welcomed delegates with opening remarks, recognizing that members in the public service have kept our province running through the pandemic – and continue to do so – despite extraordinarily challenging circumstances

"That's why this work-bargaining-is so critical," said Smith. "Bargaining is foundational to our union and our members because it's how we build collective agreements. But it's also how we build solidarity and power as a union."

Mario Canseco, a respected pollster who has analyzed and conducted public opinion research for nearly 20 years, presented delegates with an overview of the current economic and political landscape in British Columbia and across Canada, as well as a detailed review and analysis of recent polling results of BCGEU members in the public service.

Public Service Bargaining Committee Lead Negotiator Mike Eso provided delegates with a look at highlights and emerging themes from over 5,800 bargaining survey results. Members' input has been clear: you want a fair and equitable contract that addresses the rising cost-of-living, and recognizes how critically important public service workers are to British Columbians.

See photos of the Public Service Bargaining Conference here.

Next Steps

Your bargaining committee will continue to meet to finalize our bargaining package, and dates for both component and main table are set with the employer for January. Our union remains committed to bringing your issues forward.

We will keep you informed every step of the way.

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 Second Vice-Chairperson
Maria Middlemiss, Vice President - Component 12
Matt Damario, Component 12 First Vice-Chairperson
Robert Davis, Vice President - Component 20
Doug Dykens, Director - Field Services & Negotiations
Mike Eso, Secretary
Lisa Lane, Support Staff

Have you completed the bargaining survey and the poll yet?

It's not too late:

• The deadline to complete the bargaining survey is 5:00 p.m. this Friday, November 19th
• The deadline to complete the poll is 5:00 p.m. this Wednesday, November 17th

This is your opportunity to have your say and ensure that your bargaining committee is aware of the issues that matter to you in this upcoming round of bargaining.

Thank you to all members who have completed these already – your input is valuable.

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 Second Vice-Chairperson
Maria Middlemiss, Vice President - Component 12
Matt Damario, Component 12 First Vice-Chairperson
Robert Davis, Vice President - Component 20
Doug Dykens, Director - Field Services & Negotiations
Mike Eso, Secretary
Lisa Lane, Support Staff

UWU/MoveUP

Your bargaining committee is asking all members covered by the main agreement to complete this important poll. This confidential poll will provide our bargaining committee with a clear understanding of how strongly our members stand behind their demands.
 
It is very important that members covered under the main agreement to take five minutes and complete the poll questions, as it will provide your bargaining committee with concrete data to present to the employer during upcoming negotiations. 

This poll is one of several initiatives your bargaining committee is implementing to seek member input, and is your opportunity to provide valuable, direct input on the collective bargaining process.
 
Our union will be holding a bargaining conference on November 26 in preparation for bargaining, and polling results – all anonymous – will be discussed at the conference. Polling data will provide your bargaining committee with a more detailed look at members’ expectations this round of bargaining.
 
Deadline for completing the poll questions is November 14.

Please note that the information you provide will remain strictly confidential and will never be accessible to the employer.
 
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 Second Vice-Chairperson
Maria Middlemiss, Vice President - Component 12
Matt Damario, Component 12 First Vice-Chairperson
Robert Davis, Vice President - Component 20
Doug Dykens, Director - Field Services & Negotiations
Mike Eso, Secretary
Lisa Lane, Support Staff

UWU/MoveUP