Public Service Bargaining - Bulletin #4: Component bargaining next

IN CONVERSATION - BCGEU president Darryl Walker updates members on public service bargaining

Negotiations for the 15th master and for 29,000 BCGEU public service members resumed this week over February 9, 10 and 11 in Victoria. This week's sessions mark a month since the talks began in January.

"We have been very clear that the BCGEU is not prepared to recommend a new collective agreement without improvements to our current employment security protections," said Darryl Walker, BCGEU president.

The employer's proposal to delete the Ministry Article 29 committees was withdrawn this week.

"The need to improve our employment security protections was really brought home this week when myself and other members of the bargaining committee had the opportunity to meet with many of the 158 BCGEU members who are scheduled for layoff in March" said Walker. "Listening to the personal stories of these members, many of whom have highly specialized skills, and recently hired from right across the country, make you realize how counterproductive and shortsighted these cuts are."

This week also saw some time in subcommittee to focus on benefit and sick leave improvements which the union is seeking. It was quickly apparent that the union's suggestions to save money by helping injured and ill workers get back to work sooner was dismissed out of hand. The employer insists their sick leave management program represents the best practice in Canada. The union disagrees strongly, but negotiations were fruitless.

A subcommittee met for the first time to talk about classification issues.

Limited progress was made by the end of this week's session. Talks resume following the provincial budget on March 2 in Victoria, with additional dates set through to March 31, when the current contract expires.

Starting next week on February 15 through 26 component bargaining committees will be in negotiations with the government on occupational specific items.

The components which will be bargaining beginning next week are:

• Correctional and Sheriff Services - Component 1
• Hospital and Allied Services - Component 2
• Retail Stores and Warehouse Component - Component 5
• Social, Information and Health - Component 6
• Administrative Services - Component 12
• Environmental, Technical and Operational - Component 20

Component committees will be updating members following these bargaining sessions.

Members should check the web site for updates. To make sure the union has your e-mail address to receive bargaining news, go to http://www.bcgeu.ca/email.

Members can also check the union's Bargaining Hotline by calling (604) 473-5444 or 1-800-335-5665.

Public Service Bargaining Committee members:

BCGEU president - Darryl Walker
BCGEU vice-president - Colleen Jones
Component 1 - Dean Purdy
Component 2 - Susanne Francoeur
Component 5 - Craig MacKay
Component 6 - Doug Kinna
Component 12 - Sandi McLean, Lori Joaquin
Component 20 - Byron Goerz
Chief staff negotiators - Jaynie Clark, David Vipond