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The next workplace visit to the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital will be on November 27. BCGEU/NUPGE members are invited to provide feedback on any work-related concerns.
Vancouver (18 Nov. 2015) — Over 60 employees shared their concerns with representatives from the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU/NUPGE) during a November 4 worksite visit at the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital in Coquitlam, B.C.
Brenda Brown, BCGEU Executive Vice-President, and Wayne Chee, Local 403 Chairperson, were available to answer questions along with an Occupational Health & Safety Officer, Servicing Staff Representative and a Communications Officer. Forensic Psychiatric Hospital Steward, Diane Philbrook, was also on hand to introduce the BCGEU/NUPGE representatives to members.
Workplace health and safety, increased violence, workload were among the issues raised
Some of the issues raised were increased exposure to violent situations due to a redesign on the worksite and that members’ rights to a safe and healthy worksite were being compromised. Members also identified problems with high workload, loss of seniority, and classification issues.
With the information BCGEU/NUPGE received from its members at the Forensics Psychiatric Hospital, a cohesive strategy will be implemented to address the issues.
BCGEU/NUPGE representatives will be back at the hospital on November 27 to hear further input from their members. Additional support will be provided to the Occupational Health & Safety committee members to advocate for improved violence-prevention control measures. Workers at the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital, and at all other worksites, have the right to be safe on the job.
Grievances proceeding to address workers' concerns
Servicing staff are fast-tracking grievances, and working to get the hospital security officers a new approved benchmark with an increase in wages. The union is making it clear to the employer that it will not permit members' rights to be violated.
All BCGEU/NUPGE members at the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital are being encouraged to communicate their concerns to their worksite activists, local officers and BCGEU staff representatives.
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 360,000 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