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Ratification recommended after two-year deal reached by parties with assistance from a provincial mediator.
Vancouver (24 Aug. 2010) - The British Columbia Government and Services Employees' Union (BCGEU/NUPGE) has reached a tentative agreement with the B.C. Legal Services Society (BCLSS).
Reached with the assistance of a mediator, the proposed two-year deal (from April 1, 2010, to March 31, 2012) includes:
- A letter of understanding addressing employment security provisions limiting the total number of BCGEU positions that may be eliminated during the term of this agreement (and providing the union with additional opportunities to meet with the employer to minimize the impact of layoffs).
- Language allowing employees who are currently salary protected to apply for other positions and retain their salary protection.
- An increase in the annual deductible for extended health care benefits from $30 per year to $50 per year (effective Jan. 1, 2011).
- An increase in vision care from $200 to $475 every two years for adults and every year for children, also adding laser eye surgery coverage (effective Jan. 1, 2011).
- Adding coverage for eye examinations (one exam every two years) effective Jan. 1, 2011.
- Capping massage therapy coverage at $1,000 per year effective Jan. 1, 2011.
- Conversion of the one-day of personal business leave per year to seven hours, allowing members more flexibility in the use of this time.
- Inclusion of step-parents in the definition of immediate family members under Article 18.1.
- An increase to the overtime meal allowance from $13 to $15.
- Clarification of the rights of members who are employed in 'term"' positions.
- Clarification of layoff and recall language, including the the opportunity to be recalled into vacant positions which may occur prior to the actual layoff taking effect.
- An agreement to review and revise the sick leave medical form at the joint standing committee.
- Numerous housekeeping changes.
The BCGEU bargaining committee is recommending unanimously that the proposed settlement be accepted by members when ratification takes place.
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