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It’s time for a fair and reasonable contract - including a wage increase - for the lowest paid in the broad public sector,” says Darryl Walker, BCGEU President.
Vancouver (01 October 2012) - Community social service workers in Aboriginal Services sector in B.C. have voted strongly in favour of job action, with an 86 per cent yes vote. Strike action in the entire community social services sector is likely in the coming weeks, unless the government mandate regarding monetary issues changes significantly.
“Our Aboriginal services members have given their bargaining committee a strong strike mandate. The government must address the needs of the caring professionals who care for the most vulnerable in our province. It’s time for a fair and reasonable contract - including a wage increase - for the lowest paid in the broad public sector,” says Darryl Walker, President of the B.C. Government and Service Employees Union (BCGEU/NUPGE).
Contract negotiations on issues specific to Aboriginal Services workers broke off on August 17. The primary issues identified by members are wages, benefits, sick leave and reimbursable expenses. Negotiations broke off when the representatives of the affected Aboriginal Services agencies insisted that our bargaining proposals be dealt with at the main community social services table. Your union believes that the bargaining process must reflect the specificities of the sector.
Around 200 members at five different Aboriginal Services agencies, including Vancouver Aboriginal Child and Family Services Society, La société de les enfants Michif (Métis Family Services), Island Métis Family and Community Services Society, Interior Métis Child and Family Services Society, Haida Child and Family Services Society and Northwest Inter-Nation Child and Community Service Society are represented by BCGEU/NUPGE.
In July, the community social service workers in the two other sectors (General Services and Community Living Services) voted strongly in favour of strike action as well.
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The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE