Work overload and other issues need addressing
27 Jul '10
BCGEU members are telling us problems at two B.C. government ministries are becoming more severe. The problems affect workers at the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) and the Ministry of Housing and Social Development (MHSD).
These members are facing excessively heavy workloads, the result of too few people having to do too much. Compounding the problem is a lack of backfill to handle front line duties when the regular staff is absent. Our members are also frustrated with an endless process of top down reorganization at both ministries and practice changes that have been implemented without their input.
Not surprisingly, there’s fallout. Some members are starting to look for work in the private sector. Others are burning out and heading for stress leave. Sick leave levels in these ministries are already among the highest in the public service.
Clearly, our members’ needs aren’t being met. Nor are the needs of British Columbians who pay for and depend on the important services these BCGEU members provide.
We simply can’t afford to lose educated, talented and qualified public sector workers to burnout and private industry. There needs to be a remedy and soon.
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February 10, 2012 - 9:00am - 4:30pm
Why are responses critical of the BCGEU being censored?
I am aware of four responses, two recently from me, which have not made it onto this blog as they have been sharply critical of the BCGEU leadership. Why is that? Anyone else noticed this?
Paper Tiger
I have to say I have never - ever - been a member of such an ineffective and self serving Union. In my previous life I was a senior steward in a Union with teeth - BCGEU is a joke. I have given up putting clear abuses of the contract forward through my local rep, who has taken to blind copying everything to me, so that I can see that no replies are ever forthcoming. Exactly what are the staff reps and component chairs doing for their paychecks these days? Anyone out there actually realise what a zero pay rise means in real monetary terms, that new practice models, which failed elsewhere are being imposed, that CQI has been put in place with NO Union consultation, that staff are being redescribed as practitioners to fit CAPP, so that anyone can now do anything in the Ministry. Anyone watching the systematic de-professionalization of the social work and probation profession in MCFD? Anyone actually out there in Union land, because it is you guys who are not meeting your members needs?
We're waiting
I completely agree with Darryl when he says, "There needs to be a remedy and soon". My reply is - okay Darryl you're the President what are you going to do about this. I'm tired of empty fists in the air. We already got screwed on the new contract - no pay rise to match cost of living. And yet I hear BC teachers will be getting another pay rise! How does that work!! So yes burn out, loss of experience, I see it everyday. So what are you going to do Darryl?
separate component to represent professional staff;
re: earlier suggestion of need for separate component to represent needs of Social Workers and Probation officers. could not agree more. Both professional groups have been repeatedly ignored during negotiations and are now leaving, or attempting to leave MCFD, with good reason. These are well trained, educated and dedicated employees, but the ongoing impossible workloads, lack of opportunity for promotion and increase in wages is nil and the combination is taking its toll. Sadly, the union has been unable to support these professional staff for quite some time. I too want to ensure all government employees are treated fairly in negotiations, but am not willing to bargain away everything.
Let's create a separate component for SWs and POs and staff who will help address our very specific needs.
In Truth
I believe that these two Ministries suffer because they service those who have small political voices. These two ministries are non-profit and therefore are far from being favored and advantaged.
Management and the current political party are much too busy at the trough of other profit-making departments to nurture and protect the clients and staff of these two Ministries and so only responds when the beacon of public scrutiny momentarily lights up some error or lapse.
This situation will never change unless the will of the people change it and in this case, it is the will of the union that must have a louder voice for those who have the small voices.
Signed,
Wearing thin on the Big Rock
Stress/workload
There are also huge issues in SSBC, Citizens' Services - after a year of slashing jobs, people retiring and not being replaced, constant reorgs, etc. The work of empty positions is now filtering to other staff - it's sometimes work that doesn't fit into job descriptions, with little training and high expectations! In my group, the Director refuses to look at new job descriptions, therefore, as HR recommended, it will have to go through a process = more stress!
The morale is extremely low as we go through another 'transformation'... Many of us are looking for other jobs but within gov't, there's not much available, so looking outside. They're losing great talent/resources! There's a feeling that the Union isn't much help in these situations either. We need some solutions somehow!
New professional component for social worker
I strongly believe that social workers need their own component with BCGEU. I believe with our own component we could accomplish fast, strong, accountable, and transparent outcomes. I say this after 10 years as a social worker and steward.
It is time to deal with all issues within MCFD, and I believe with this new CAPP, many social workers are going to suffer and quit.
Socials Workers need their own Component in BCGEU.
If this is your perspective, then Probation Officers and others may need to have their own Component to be able to address the workload, issues, and concerns within our area of expertise. In 1997, we were added to a Ministry of Social Workers. We are a minority group of fully educated and highly trained workers that have much to offer within the Ministry. For years we have basically been overlooked and oftne not valued for our work. Not to mention, few opportunities for advancement within our area of expertise. There are many frustrations within the Ministry and unfortunately many skilled workers are desparately seeking other employment opportunities in other areas. This is my perspective. Thanks for listening.
Socials Workers need their own Component in BCGEU.
I agree with you %100
Boundary changes without FTE changes, other workload factors
My work area in MCFD is heavily affected by regional boundary changes accompanied in our area, so far, by 0 FTEs to handle the workload increase. We are told the message has been sent up the line that we cannot manage our workload with the present FTEs but it's wait-and-see as to whether the case is accepted higher up.
Other heavy workload increases relate to budget reductions and HST implementation. I have the impression the "transformation" agenda being prioritized and actioned from the top of the ministry downward is entirely preoccupying the organization and the focus is really not on the work that's been done and whether assigned resources are adequate.
STRESS!!
MHSD-As we are in the summer months, staffing is usually a huge issue in regards to workload but with staff off on stress and FTE's being burned, we are are being stomped on. Worklaod makes home life suffer, there are several people that do not want to have their job ruin their home life so they are looking for work in the private sector. We have more work, more responsibility yet component 6 got stiffed with another wage freeze in the last round of bargaining
STRESS!!
The stress level is intense in MHSD as I'm sure it is with MCFD. We have people off on stess leave, eating up the FTE's so we cannot backfill. The workload is crazy nuts. Some folks have lost faith in our Union, it appears we still keep getting kicked while we are down. No wage increase again for Component 6 yet our duties have doubled, we need help and support
workload issues
Management does not want to hear workload issues, they only want to hear that everyone is happy. They have created a chart and given us permission to let some of the work go while we are short-staffed. this work still needs to be done at a later date.
FTE'S
The work at MCFD is hard. They have severely cut FTE'S without protest. They are doing anything without care and support for the front-line workers. Stewards are quitting due to lack of support and resolution. Management will get fat bonus cheques at the end of year for there heavy-handed ways. Time for action is required. We need to protest now. BCGEU please give us direction and actions we can support. Time for sweet talk with management is up. Corrective action is required NOW!
MCFD
The BCGEU has to get more teeth in its contract with the bc government. Nothing can stop the abuses of the management of the MCFD. They hold all the cards and they do anything they want with us without fear.
MCFD - Management
This statement is dead on. The employees are not respected or even considered in ANY decision made by management. Management makes their decision regardless of the impact on others. They will soon realise this when things continue to fall apart, due to people leaving and managements decisions backfire on them.
Government/Union Roles.
The Union needs to push grievances to arbritation. The employer appears to have the ability and right to abuse staff as they see fit.
Government/Union Roles.
I absolutely agree with this. The union has been walked over and treated as if they have no right/say. The union is not at all being respected by the employer.
workload/Anonymous
We are forced to have meeting with management and lisen to the BS and when they ask how are thing going in the office. They don't want to hear we are over worked and need more staff. They turn things around by saying what are you going to do about it. This is not just the summer months it is all the time there is no staff. Why doesn't management take some responsibility!!
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