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“We are not financially able to fund the increased wages without service reductions,” CEO Craig Monley wrote in a letter to front line staff dated June 24.
Vancouver (09 July 2013) – The B.C. Liberal government’s failure to properly fund the Okanagan Boys and Girls Club in Kelowna-Westside may lead to youth service cuts, the B.C. Government and Service Employees’ Union (BCGEU/NUPGE) has learned.
6,000 young people and families supported but Ministry fails to provide adequate funding
The Okanagan Boys and Girls Club is a leading provider of programs to children and youth that support the healthy physical, educational and social development for over 6,000 young people and families each year in 30 locations in the Okanagan valley, including in Kelowna-Westside.
The Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) has failed to fund modest wage increases of 1.5 per cent for front line workers at the Okanagan Boys and Girls Club. “We are not financially able to fund the increased wages without service reductions,” CEO Craig Monley wrote in a letter to front line staff dated June 24.
Workers identified cost savings during negotiations to allow for a 1.5 per cent wage increase; now Ministry has failed to provide bridge funding
The wage raises were negotiated and ratified on April 22, 2013 within the government’s so-called co-operative gains mandate, which identified cost savings to fund the pay raises. However, MCFD has failed to provide bridge funding to cover the payroll increase until the cost savings can be realized.
By-election set for Westside-Kelowna on July 10
Residents of the provincial riding of Westside-Kelowna will head to the polls on July 10. Christy Clark, B.C. Premier is running in this by-election for a seat in the legislature, after being defeated in the provincial election in May.
The BCGEU and Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) represent 83 workers at Okanagan Boys and Girls Clubs.
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