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“In uncertain economic times we were able to work productively with government and negotiate an agreement that delivers real gains for our members.” - Darryl Walker, BCGEU President.
Vancouver (28 Jan. 2014) – Members of the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU/NUPGE) who work for the provincial government have ratified the master agreement. Bargaining unit members voted 68.5 per cent in favour of accepting the agreement.
The five–year agreement expires on March 31, 2019 and covers approximately 25,000 members who work in direct government service.
Workers bargained improvements that provide stability in the workplace for several years
“This is a good collective agreement that includes wage increases, maintains important job security protection and provides stability for our members,” says BCGEU President Darryl Walker. “In uncertain economic times we were able to work productively with government and negotiate an agreement that delivers real gains for our members.”
The agreement includes a guaranteed wage increase of 5.5 per cent over the term of the agreement with the possibility of additional wage increases under the Economic Stability Dividend.
Other gains include:
- Improved health and welfare benefits
- Maintained and improved employment security provisions
- Moving Temporary Market Adjustments into base pay
- An improved job selection process
Component agreements covering specific occupational groups were also ratified.
“I want to thank the Master Bargaining Committee for their hard work. I also want to thank our stewards across the province. They talked with members, answered questions on the agreement and conducted a successful ratification vote,” says Walker.
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