COMPONENTS
The union's component structure was established when bargaining rights in the public service were finally granted by legislation in 1974.
At that time, the government employees' components were negotiated, based on occupational groupings. This structure was later extended to other groups of workers represented by the BCGEU certified under the Labour Code.
Over the years some components are changed, merged or created to reflect reorganization within the government service and to meet the needs of new members.
The union currently has the following components:
COMPONENT 1 - Correctional and Sheriff Services
Our members who work at correctional centres and as sheriffs throughout British Columbia.
COMPONENT 2 - Hospital and Allied Services
Our members who provide nursing care, personal care, housekeeping, building maintenance, laundry, activities, dietary, security and rehabilitation services at Riverview Hospital, Forensic Psychiatric Hospital, Maples Adolescent Treatment Centre, Youth Forensic Psychiatric Services, Victory Hill Residential School, the Lodge at Broadmead, and Oak Bay Lodge.
COMPONENT 3 - Community Social Services
Our members who work for non-profit societies and corporations and provide child care, family and children's services, community justice, social services to the developmentally challenged, and women's services.
Our community health members work in home support as well as facility and paramedical professionals in drug and alcohol treatment centres, adult day care, detox and emergency shelters, women's clinics, services to seniors, mental health group homes, regional health units and other community-based health services.
COMPONENT 5 - Retail, Stores and Warehouse
Our members operate the provincial government's retail liquor stores and warehouse operations.
COMPONENT 6 - Social, Information and Health
Our members in ministries across government who work in a great variety of social, cultural, educational, information technology, research, health care delivery and associated direct technical support functions, including social workers, child protection and probation officers, and system analysts.
COMPONENT 7 - Education, Scientific, Technical and Administrative
Our members who work in colleges and institutes, in private environmental testing laboratories, and legal services, including Native Court workers.
COMPONENT 10 - Operational Services
Our members working for private corporations, contracted by the government to maintain provincial highways and bridges. The component includes inland ferries, some municipal governments and tree nurseries.
COMPONENT 12 - Administrative Services
Our members who provide administrative and support services in the direct government, a number of authorities in the broader public sector and for private employers under contract to provide government services.
COMPONENT 17 - General Services
BCGEU members employed by hotels, theatres, banks, credit unions, B.C. Place, B.C. Housing Management, retail outlets, casinos and call centres.
COMPONENT 20 - Environmental, Technical and Operational
Our members in government engineering support and inspectional duties at the technical level, as well protecting and regulating natural resources or ensuring the quality of the environment. They include biologists, design engineers, conservation officers, laboratory workers, scientific/technical officers, inspectors and planning officers.