FYI to BCGEU Members working at EHSC

The BCGEU told the Ministry of Labour last week that they should leave the bargaining structure and wages and benefits for Emergency and Health Services Commission (EHSC) employees intact.

President Darryl Walker along with Sandi McLean from Component 12 -Administrative Services and Brenda Brown and Carla Dempsey from Component 4 - Health Services met on Friday, March 19 with Trevor Hughes from the Ministry of Labour. The BCGEU was invited to provide input in light of the announcement that responsibility for EHSC was being transferred to the Provincial Health Services Commission.

The BCGEU told Hughes that the best course of action would be to establish a new Bargaining Association that would preserve the present collective agreements and provide an orderly and timely opportunity for the BCGEU and other unions to bargain their collective agreements.

"The creation of a new Bargaining Association will maintain our members present wages and benefits. This is fair and reasonable," said BCGEU President Darryl Walker.

Hughes will report to the Minister of Labour this week and the Minister of Labour will make a decision regarding the creation of a new Bargaining Association no later than March 31, 2010.