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Monetary items remain outstanding, strike action likely in community social services in B.C.

Because of the government's fiscal mandate, monetary items such as wages, benefits and employment security that were prioritized by the membership, remain outstanding.

logo for Community Social Service Bargaining CSSVancouver (04 Oct. 2012) - Strike action in the community social services sector is likely in the coming weeks, unless the government mandate regarding monetary issues changes significantly, says the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU/NUPGE)

B.C.’s Minister of Finance, Mike de Jong, made a pessimistic pronouncement about the state of the province’s finances recently, indicating the deficit is on the rise and costs have to be contained. In the government’s quarterly financial update, de Jong said the province will be reviewing its current bargaining mandate, which dictates that all public sector workers must find “savings” in their contracts to fund any wage increase.

On September 17 and 18, th emulti-union bargaining committee representing community social services members met with the employer, the Community Social Services Employers Association (CSSEA). Progress was made on non-monetary issues, and the committee was able to fight off a number of concessions.

Because of the government mandate, CSSEA has not presented any monetary offer. Monetary items such as wages, benefits and employment security that were identified as important by the membership, remain outstanding.

A strike coordinating committee has been created to prepare for job action and any other actions in support of a fair deal.

Monetary items such as wages, benefits and employment security that were identified as important by the membership, remain outstanding.

More information: 

B.C. Community Social Services Fair Deal website

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