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"Community social services workers support some of B.C.'s most vulnerable citizens and we are so pleased to have reached agreements that provide enhanced support and compensation for this critical work." — Stephanie Smith, BCGEU/NUPGE President
Vancouver (18 June 2018) — The Community Social Services Bargaining Association (CSSBA) and the Community Social Services Employers' Association (CSSEA) have reached a tentative agreement on 3-year collective agreements for General Services and Community Living. These agreements provide significant compensation increases for workers in this sector while meeting the government mandate of improving the services British Columbians count on.
Agreement makes gains in wages, benefits and working conditions
Highlights of the agreements include significant money for low-wage redress for all members, in addition to general wage increases, improvements to occupational health and safety, enhancements to health and welfare benefit plans and more.
"Community social services workers support some of B.C.'s most vulnerable citizens and we are so pleased to have reached agreements that provide enhanced support and compensation for this critical work," says Stephanie Smith, President of the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU/NUPGE). "I'd like to thank the bargaining committee for its dedication in getting a fair deal and we look forward to engaging with the membership about the deal before a ratification vote in the coming weeks."
Significant step toward acknowledging the value and dedication of social service professionals
"We are very pleased to have reached tentative agreements that support and work towards fair compensation for the critical work community social services workers do throughout the province," says Andrea Duncan, BCGEU Component 3 Vice-President and Chair of the CSSBA negotiating committee. "Our sector has been in crisis for well over a decade and we have been doing the very best we can with incredibly limited resources. These agreements reflect a new government mandate to improve services for some of B.C.'s most vulnerable citizens, and a significant step towards acknowledging the value and dedication caring professionals bring to this important work."
The CSSBA and the CSSEA will be meeting in the next week to conclude negotiations for Aboriginal Services, the third and final collective agreement to be renewed under Community Social Services.
BCGEU/NUPGE is the lead union in the bargaining association consisting of 10 unions including CUPE, HEU, HSA, CSWU, UFCW, USW, SEIU, CLAC and BCNU and representing 16,000 members.