Union members who provide government computer support ratify new agreement

Members of the BC Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU) who provide deskside computer support in provincial government offices have voted 99 percent in favour of accepting a new collective agreement.

The 168 workers are employed by the BC division of Information Systems Management Canada Corporation (ISM Canada), a subsidiary of IBM Canada.

BCGEU president Darryl Walker says highlights of the new two year agreement include a 2.75 percent wage increase in the first year (with the first instalment being paid before expiry of the current agreement), plus a two percent wage increase in the second year, and improvements in health and severance benefits.

Walker notes that the union was successful in preventing the employer from removing workers from the Public Service Pension Plan, and eliminating a province-wide seniority policy.

"Our well-prepared bargaining committee was effective in achieving this strong collective agreement in a timely way," he says. "Our members look forward to continuing to serve British Columbians through their daily work."