The collective agreement between the BCGEU and ESIT Advanced Solutions is due to expire March 31, 2020. As you all know, this date coincides with the end date of the current contract for the Revenue side of the business.

The convergence of these two dates presents significant challenges to both parties. From the employer perspective, resourcing both collective agreement negotiations and contract procurement negotiations at the same time is a concern. From the Union perspective, engaging in a full round of bargaining at a point in time that is financially uncertain for the employer presents a challenge as well.

Your union representatives on the Joint Labour Management Committee (JLMC) met with the Employer over the last two weeks to discuss this issue. The parties agreed that the best way to move forward is to extend the current collective agreement for 12 months to March 31, 2021, and to secure a 2% wage increase for that period.

This ensures that the members are protected via an extended collective agreement, and that the parties will be negotiating our next collective agreement within a known financial context.

During our discussions, your JLMC union representatives raised a number of other issues that have been of concern to our members, and we have established a framework to address those over the term of this extension agreement. Specifically, we discussed and addressed the high number of temporary assignments in the Call Centre and the need to track existing education and professional development funding.

The extension agreement also clarifies what steps both sides will take to best protect your interests in the event that there is a contract re-tender. We will provide you with the full details at our ratification meetings as noted below.

Ratification meetings will be held at your worksite in order to explain the extension agreement, answer any questions and give you the opportunity to vote. The employer has committed to working with us to ensure that each of you will have the opportunity to attend. The meeting times are as follows:

Date: Wednesday, May 29, 2019

Times:

• • Meeting #1: 10:30 am – 11:00 am
  • Meeting #2: 12:00 pm – 12:30 pm
  • Meeting #3: 1:30 pm – 2:00 pm
  • Meeting #4: 3:00 pm – 3:30 pm

Place: VITP Conference Room at your Worksite

Your JLMC union representatives unanimously recommend the ratification of this extension agreement.

In solidarity

Your Joint Labour Management Committee

Juliana Niebergall
Ned Miller
Jason Gilles
David Ward
Earl Moloney, Staff Representative

UWU/MoveUP

Download PDF of notice here