Pension decision soon for community social services workers

Breakthrough means plan will be in place by April 1, 2010

Vancouver (2 April 2008) - A decision will be made in the near future on the best pension plan to choose for social services workers in British Columbia.

During the most recent contract negotiations the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU/NUPGE), as the lead union in the Community Social Services Bargaining Association (CSSBA), was finally successful in negotiating an agreement to put a pension plan in place on April 1, 2010.

The union has been fighting for this benefit on behalf of members in the sector for many years. A pension plan will be a big improvement on the existing group Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) available to members.

It is not clear at this point if community social services workers will be able to join the Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) or the Municipal Pension Plan (MPP).

"We expect this will be clarified in a few weeks," the union says. "Both plans are excellent but have very different rules."

The Community Social Services Employers' Association (CSSEA) has started to circulate information bulletins providing information about the MPP. However, it is possible that the information being circulated by CSSEA about the MPP may not apply to workers in community social services, BCGEU adds.

"It's still a full two years from when the pension plan becomes available. Once we know which plan workers can be registered in, the BCGEU will ensure information sessions, workshops and other materials to help you understand the plan and its implications," it adds.

"For these reasons, the BCGEU is encouraging all its members to delay making any decisions about the pension plan until you have more information about which plan is available, how it works and what the benefits are to you as an individual." NUPGE