Agreement covers B.C. workers impacted by the HST

Provides for staged offers of employment over four years with effective dates of appointment commencing on Nov. 1, 2010, July 7, 2011, March 1, 2012 and July 5, 2012.

Vancouver (11 March 2010) - The governments of Canada and B.C. have signed a Human Resources Agreement (HRA) setting out the terms and conditions covering B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU/NUPGE) members employed by the ministry of finance who accept Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) positions related to the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST).

The Public Service Agency (PSA) has been consulting with the BCGEU as the negotiations between the governments have been underway. The agreement includes protections and rights on critical issues such as rates of pay, benefits, employment security and seniority recognition. The HRA provides for staged offers of employment over four years with effective dates of appointment commencing on Nov. 1, 2010, July 7, 2011, March 1, 2012 and July 5, 2012.

BCGEU members have the right to indicate a willingness to accept an offer of employment from the CRA or to stay with the ministry of finance. In light of the comprehensive protections contained in the human resource agreement, the BCGEU is recommending that members give serious consideration to accepting offers of employment from the CRA.

"BCGEU has been invited by the ministry of finance to participate in the upcoming information sessions for employees about the transfer," the union notes. "We appreciate the fact that this has been a very uncertain time for ministry of finance employees since the announcement of the introduction of the HST last year."

NUPGE

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