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The BCGEU has been working hard with a number of partners to bring pressure to bear on the government on this critical issue facing members.
Vancouver (31 March 2010) - The B.C. government has affirmed its commitment to fund the Municipal Pension Plan (MPP) for eligible community social services workers.
The British Columbia Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU/NUPGE) expects all related layoffs and Section 54 notices (for many layoffs) will be immediately withdrawn by employers who issued them. "We'll be following this up during the next week. If you receive a Section 54 notice, contact your staff representative or area office immediately," the union advises.
The BCGEU has been working hard with a number of partners to bring pressure to bear on the government on this critical issue facing members.
"We're pleased the government has decided to honour its commitment made in the last round of bargaining," the union says. "But we're also disappointed there was any doubt at all about a commitment made in bargaining. The BCGEU will continue to work with partners to ensure agencies aren't pressured to use reserves, including accumulated sick time, to fund the MPP. This could leave agencies vulnerable."
The NDP raised the funding issue in the legislature on behalf of community social services workers, noting the Liberals made a commitment in 2006 to fund the MPP. Finance Minister Colin Hansen failed to renew the commitment at the time. However, the employers were informed on March 25 through the Community Social Services Employers' Association (CSSEA) the MPP would be funded without impacting services.
The BCGEU acknowledges the support of the NDP, the Federation of Community Social Services, the Ending Violence Association of British Columbia, the B.C./Yukon Society of Transition Houses and the CEO Network and the Roundtable of Provincial Social Services Organizations who worked together to bring about this resolution.
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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