BCGEU and B.C. Government table bargaining proposals

VANCOUVER, Jan. 10, 2012 /CNW/ - Eighty-five percent of BCGEU members will be negotiating new contracts in 2012.

The process begins this afternoon, January 10, when the union and the B.C. Government exchange bargaining proposals in Vancouver.

We're negotiating the 16^th Master Agreement with the B.C. Government and have bargaining dates planned through to the end of March 2012.

The 15^th Master Agreement, which was signed on May 12, 2010, expires on March 31, 2012.

We represent more than 25,000 members who work directly for the B.C. Government.

Negotiations in the health, community social services and other sectors will begin before the end of February. Highways talks are ongoing.

"Members have told us increased wages, improved benefits and job security are their priorities. We have a tough road ahead. But, we're prepared for any action we have to take to get our members the improved contracts they've earned," said BCGEU President Darryl Walker.

For more information about bargaining, please check out our new Bargaining 2012 webpage, which you can access at www.bcgeu.ca.

The BCGEU contact for the media is Karen Tankard at [email protected] or 604-312-1204.