Nisga'a Child and Family Services workers join BCGEU

The B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union is extending a warm welcome to employees of the Nisga'a Nation in North West B.C. who are the latest in a growing number of workers to join the union.

The 15 new union members work for the Nisga'a Nation's Child and Family Services Department in the Nass Valley, Terrace and Prince Rupert. They provide a wide-range of programs and services to meet the physical, emotional and cultural well being of Nisga'a children and their families.

"We're pleased to welcome these new members to the BCGEU," says union president George Heyman. "We look forward to working with them to set bargaining priorities and begin the process of negotiating a first collective agreement with the Nisga'a Nation."

Heyman said the workers chose BCGEU to help give them a stronger voice in developing terms and conditions of employment and practise standards that guide the programs and services they provide to citizens of the Nisga'a Nation.

The union's application for certification was granted expeditiously by the Canada Labour Relations Board last week. Heyman praised Nisga'a Nation officials for the reasoned and proactive approach they took to ensure that their employees had the right to choose to join a union.

Heyman says BCGEU represents many Aboriginal workers in areas like social services, native court workers, health care, education, friendship centers, band offices, fire fighters along with those who work for the provincial government and other agencies.

"We will continue to develop our relationships within First Nations communities in recognition of the unique needs, concerns and traditions of Aboriginal workers," says Heyman.

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