BARGAINING NEWS

Bargaining in the BCGEU is divided into two basic categories – Sectoral Bargaining and Stand-Alone Bargaining. Bargaining news is located on individual union Component pages. Below is a description of sectoral and stand-alone bargaining, with links to the appropriate Component pages:

SECTORAL BARGAINING

The BCGEU negotiates province-wide master agreements coveing the B.C. Public Service and the broader public sector, and are negotiated with other unions who represent members in similar occupational groups. In sectoral bargaining, the union with the most members takes the lead position in negotiations, in consultation with other unions’ bargaining committees. The BCGEU takes the lead in some sectors, and consults with the lead unions in others.

In sectoral bargaining, members vote on two agreements:

• The sectoral agreement, which contains the common contract language, including wages and benefits; and
• Their component agreement, which contains language on issues specific to our members’ components.
   

PUBLIC SERVICE

COMPONENT 1 - Correctional and Sheriff Services

Members who work at correctional centres and as sheriffs throughout British Columbia.

COMPONENT 2 - Hospital and Allied Services

Members who provide nursing care, personal care, housekeeping, building maintenance, laundry, activities, dietary, security and rehabilitation services.

COMPONENT 5 - Retail, Stores and Warehouse

Members who operate the provincial government's retail liquor stores and warehouse operations.

COMPONENT 6 - Social, Information and Health

Members across government who work in social, cultural, educational, information technology, research, health care delivery and technical support functions – including social workers, child protection and probation officers, and system analysts.

COMPONENT 12 - Administrative Services

Members who provide administrative and support services in government, authorities in the broader public sector, and private employers contracted to provide government services.

COMPONENT 20 - Environmental, Technical and Operational

Members who provide government engineering support and inspectional duties, regulate natural resources and ensure environmental protection.

COMMUNITY SOCIAL SERVICES

COMPONENT 3 - Community Social Services

Members who work for non-profit societies and corporations – providing child care, family and children's services, community justice, social services to the developmentally challenged, and women's services.

COMMUNITY HEALTH

COMPONENT 4 - Health Services
Members who work in home support, and as facility and paramedical professionals in drug and alcohol treatment centres, adult day care, detox and emergency shelters, women's clinics, seniors’ services, mental health group homes, and regional health units.

POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION

COMPONENT 7 - Education, Scientific, Technical and Administrative
Members who work in colleges and institutes, in private environmental testing laboratories, and legal services, including Native Court workers.

STAND-ALONE BARGAINING

COMPONENT 17 - General Services
Members employed by hotels, theatres, banks, credit unions, B.C. Place, B.C. Housing Management, retail outlets, casinos and call centres.

COMPONENT 10 - Operational Services
Members working for private corporations, contracted by the government to maintain provincial highways and bridges. The component includes inland ferries, some municipal governments and tree nurseries.