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15,000 community-based workers have been without a contract since March of 2010.
Vancouver (17 Dec. 2010) - Talks between unions representing B.C.'s community-based social services workers and employer associations have broken off a little more than a week away from Christmas.
The employers seem intent on playing the role of Grinch, reports the British Columbia Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU/NUPGE).
Negotiations have dragged on for over 13 months. The collective agreement expired at the end of 2010 although all terms and conditions – except employment security provisions – continue to be in effect.
The employers' position has not significantly changed since discussion broke off almost exactly one year ago.
After one year, the employers' position remains:
- No employment security or improvements to bumping and recall rights during a time of lay-offs and cuts.
- No improvements to wages.
- No improvements to benefits, including sick leave.
- No improvements to reimbursable expenses like mileage so employees will continue to subsidize their employers.
- No improvements to the way jobs are awarded to make the process fair and transparent.
The employers' latest ultimatum has been to demand that employees take a modest improvement in harassment language in exchange for no changes to bumping and recall rights and job selections.
Less than zero
The government and employers' “zero-zero” mandate - absolutely no increased cost in the collective agreement for two years – amounts in reality to less than zero. As the cost of living – everything from housing, food, the HST, hydro – rises, workers fall behind.
The bargaining committee remains committed to advancing its mandate from members – calling for real and significant improvements and progress toward regaining what has been lost over the last 10 years.
The unions are negotiating with representatives of approximately 220 agencies across B.C. Union bargaining representatives are negotiating for approximately 15,000 workers in nine unions. BCGEU is the lead union at the negotiating table.
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