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Preparations now underway in all sectors to reach new agreements before the expiry of current contracts in 2010.
Vancouver (3 April 2009) - Pay increases of 2% took effect April 1 for approximately 27,000 members of the British Columbia Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU/NUPGE).
The date, which marked the beginning of the final year of collective agreements in the public service and broader public sector, also brought raises to several other major groups.
In the health sector more than 13,000 members are receiving a range of increases. While in the community health sector, more than 10,000 members are getting 2%. Another 2,000 members who work in health care facilities receive 2.7%.
In the last round of bargaining, unions negotiated hard to win special adjustments of an additional 1.5% for LPNs. Depending on their classification, health science professionals in BCGEU's ranks receive wage increases of 1.75% to 3%.
The 10,000 BCGEU members who provide important services in the community social services system are also getting a 2% raise. BCGEU members who are instructors in post-secondary institutions in many parts of the province are receiving raises of 2.1% and 2.8%.
Preparations are underway in all sectors to reach agreements before the expiry of contracts in 2010. BCGEU bargaining conferences in several sectors are scheduled for the fall of 2009.
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