BCGEU Component 1 representatives met with Attorney General, David Eby, to discuss post-bargaining issues. The issues discussed included the potential of a 40-hour workweek, recruitment & retention, a separate branch for Sheriffs within the Ministry and support for pension improvements.

BCGEU Vice President & Component 1 Chairperson, Dean Purdy and BCGEU Director of Negotiations, Doug Dykens, represented the union at the meeting.

"We raised the fact that recruitment and retention continues to be a problem and that the most recent Sheriffs class of 22 recruits has already lost two members to police departments and a further 8 class members have applications pending at police departments. " said Purdy. "We requested support on our push to move Sheriffs from a 35 to 40 hour work week and advised the minister on the great work the Sheriffs union/management committee has done with this issue so far. We explained to the minister that lifts in compensation at bargaining only got us part of the way to where we think we need to be in order to retain staff." Purdy said.

Other points from bargaining raised were shortening the growth series, modernizing the Public Service Job Evaluation Plan (PSJEP) to reflect a changed workforce and a strengthened bargaining process for Corrections and Sheriffs.

The union also expressed that our members have a strong interest in exploring a move out of the Court Services branch into their own branch within the Ministry of Attorney General or into the Ministry of Public Safety & Solicitor General. This would allow for oversite from a strictly law enforcement lens.
We also raised our desire to increase the duties of Sheriffs in BC to include traffic, executive security and the need to change from the current Red & White lights to the Provincial standard of Red & Blue lights on all Sheriffs vehicles. Minister Eby advised that they are currently looking at exigent circumstances for Sheriffs so they can respond to emergencies not only while at the court houses, but at all times. We are excited to see what his findings will be.

The union also advised the minister that we are re-submitting a much more detailed pension proposal to the Federal government to try and get Sheriffs added as a 6th designated occupation eligible for early retirement under the federal income tax regulations. Minister Eby suggested that the issue would be raised with his counterparts in other provinces and territories. 

"The minister indicated an interest in considering our suggestions and was respectful and engaged on all of our issues." said Purdy.

"I was pleased by both the tone of the meeting and Mr. Eby's commitments to not only show keen interest in the ongoing issues facing Sheriffs but also his own suggestions on ways to improve the service and value to the public." I look forward to the next steps in acting on these important issues." says Purdy.