The employer and union bargaining committees have reached impasse at the bargaining table. While the parties were able to agree to a number of housekeeping and language items, we were not able to agree on monetary items. Since the parties cannot reach agreement on their own, the Union now needs a strong strike mandate to seek assistance from a mediator.

Once we receive a strong strike mandate, the union will apply for mediation with the BC Labour Board, who will assign a mediator to our dispute. The mediator will work with both the union and the employer to reach a tentative agreement.

The reason the union needs a strong strike mandate is to confirm your support of the bargaining committee to go to mediation to reach a settlement on your renewal agreement.

The bargaining committee strongly recommends that you vote yes to strike, in order for us to go to mediation.

The strike votes will be held in two separate locations and dates for Friendship Centre staff and Aboriginal Shelter staff. Voting times and locations are as follows:

Aboriginal Shelter

Tim Hortons on Terminal Avenue at Station Street

July 7 from 8 am to noon

July 8 from noon to 4 pm

Friendship Centre

Starbucks on Hastings Street at McLean Drive

July 28 from 11 am to 3 pm

The bargaining committee needs a strong strike mandate to go to mediation, and recommends you vote yes to strike.

The bargaining committee will be at these meetings to provide more information and answer questions. We encourage you to come out and vote.

The union would like to acknowledge that both Karen and Sharon will be leaving VAFCS after many years of service at the end of June, and will therefore no longer be on the bargaining committee. We thank them for all of their work during this process and wish them well.

In solidarity

Your Bargaining Committee:

Karen Hazelman

Sharon Jones

Ray Seto

Selena Kongpreecha, Staff Representative – Negotiations

Download PDF of notice here.

UNIFOR467/MoveUP