This is an archive of news stories and research from the National Union of Public and General Employees. Please see our new site - https://nupge.ca - for the most current information. 


Union contract helps workers hit by harmonization

BCGEU posts alert for B.C. ministry of finance employees.

Victoria (30 July 2009) - The British Columbia Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU/NUPGE) says the contract covering approximately 400 members at the provincial finance department provides "protections, opportunities and time" to deal with the Campbell government's decision to harmonize the B.C. and federal sales taxes.

The union has posted this information on its website for all members affected:

Job security: All affected regular employees are covered by the existing employment security provisions outlined in a memorandum in the public service contract. They have a right to a job in the B.C. public service.

Feds to offer employment: The federal government has also committed to providing employment opportunities for current finance ministry employees who would like to transfer with the work. It's expected that the bulk of these opportunities will be situated at existing federal tax centres in Victoria, Vancouver, Surrey and Penticton.

Wages, benefits, pension provisions and terms of employment are similar to those at Ottawa's Canada Revenue Agency.

Time to decide: Most important, affected members have time to weigh options and make decisions. The harmonization move takes effect July 1, 2010, so BCGEU members will have until well into next year to make decisions. The union is working to clarify what the formal timelines will be.

BCGEU has experience with service transfers: It's not unusual for service delivery to change between different levels of government. BCGEU has experience negotiating what are called transfer agreements to maximize security and opportunities. For example, the union recently negotiated a transfer agreement for federal labour market specialists for programs now being provided by the provincial government. And it is in the process of negotiating similar arrangements with federal and agricultural program staff.

Information sessions will be planned: The union will be organizing special information sessions for members as soon as possible this fall. It is encouraging members to update e-mail address information on file to remain informed on all the latest developments.

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