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Campbell government puts talks with Ottawa on hold until after Sept. 1 provincial budget.
Vancouver (20 Aug. 2009) - The British Columbia Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU/NUPGE) is continuing to work on several fronts to provide certainty, security and choices for finance ministry members impacted by the Campbell government's plan to harmonize the B.C. and federal sales taxes.
In addition to opening a dialogue with the Public Service Agency (PSA), the union is consulting with unions in Ontario and Quebec, where a harmonized sales tax (HST) has already been implemented. In particular, BCGEU is studying steps the unions have undertaken to maintain jobs within provincial jurisdiction.
At the town hall meetings across the province, Graham Whitmarsh, the deputy minister of finance, offered assurances to frontline workers. However, a number of questions remain unanswered.
Whitmarsh says two transition teams have been formed on tax policy and labour relations. Yet he has also made clear that HST transition talks with Ottawa will be left on the back burner until after the province's Sept. 1 budget.
Contract requires consultation
With consultation requirements required by union contract provisions, BCGEU was initially invited to be part of the town hall meetings. However, the union was barred from attending at the last minute.
Meanwhile, BCGEU is gearing up for a series of member information meetings in September to discuss issues such as seniority and pension portability.
"Stay tuned for details," the union advises. "Union reps will also ensure that issues around the HST will be front and centre at the next ministry labour-management meeting set for Sept. 17."
While all regular employees have employment security protection, staff considering options with the federal government may have questions about how seniority issues will be dealt with.
In previous agreements that BCGEU has been part of involving a move of programs from Ottawa's jurisdiction to B.C., the union has taken the principled position that federal staff should be able to transfer their seniority to their new job for the provincial government. "Likewise, the ability to port seniority must be part of any transfer agreement covering workers who choose to work for the federal government," the union insists.
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
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Union contract helps workers affected by harmonization