BCGEU congratulates new B.C. Representative for Children and Youth

"BCGEU/NUPGE and its members are committed to the safety and well-being of children and youth in care, and we intend to work as collaboratively with the new independent representative as we always have with his office.” — Stephanie Smith, BCGEU President

Vancouver (21 Nov. 2016) — The B.C. Government and Service Employees’ Union (BCGEU/NUPGE) extends its congratulations to Bernard Richard, the newly appointed B.C. Representative for Children and Youth.

BCGEU/NUPGE looks forward to sharing its work with new Representative for Children and Youth

“The independent B.C. Representative for Children and Youth is a vital resource to our province’s children and youth in care,” says Stephanie Smith, BCGEU President.

“We’re encouraged by the government’s timely selection of an experienced representative, and we hope that he’ll continue the important work of his office with the same passion and diligence as his predecessor," Smith said. “We look forward to meeting with Richard at the earliest opportunity to discuss issues specific to the work of our members, such as staffing shortages and workload."

Smith noted, “BCGEU/NUPGE and its members are committed to the safety and well-being of children and youth in care, and we intend to work as collaboratively with the new independent representative as we always have with his office.”

BCGEU/NUPGE represents over 2, 000 social workers working with children and youth in care in the Ministry of Children and Family Development and at several other delegated Aboriginal agencies lsuch as the Vancouver Aboriginal Child and Family Services Society and Métis Family Services.

NUPGE

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 370,000 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