In 2012, the Community Social Services Bargaining Association (CSSBA) successfully argued at arbitration that Clause 28.12 (Required Certificates) of the Community Social Services sectoral collective agreements required Community Social Services employers to reimburse employees the costs associated with renewing their Class 4 driver's licence. Arbitrator Vince Ready ruled that if an employee is required to hold a Class 4 licence as a condition of employment, then the employer is required to reimburse the following:

1. ICBC License renewal fee;
2. ICBC Medical form processing fee; and
3. any remaining physician costs paid to the physician to complete the ICBC Medical Form not otherwise covered by the employee benefit plan up to the amount outlined in the MSP fee schedule.

The CSSBA obtained a second favourable arbitration award involving Clause 28.12 and employers are now also required to reimburse employees the $75 ICBC renewal fee for renewing their Class 5 driver's licence.  

The Community Social Services Employers' Association (CSSEA) appealed this decision and submissions were made to the BC Labour Relations Board (LRB). The LRB reached a decision on the appeal on February 21, 2018 and decided to dismiss CSSEA's appeal.
 
What does this mean for you?
 
If you renewed your Class 5 driver's licence on or after June 12, 2017, and you are required to hold a Class 5 driver's licence as a condition of employment, you may submit your receipt for the $75 ICBC renewal fee to your employer for reimbursement.
 
It does not matter if you also use your driver's licence for personal use. If you are required to hold a Class 5 licence as a condition of employment, you are entitled to have the $75 ICBC renewal fee reimbursed by your employer.

 
In solidarity,
 
Selena Kongpreecha, BCGEU Staff Representative

UWU/MoveUP