BCGEU concludes tentative agreement for thousands of members who work for B.C. government

VICTORIA, BC, Sept. 28, 2012 /CNW/ - The BCGEU has reached a tentative agreement with the B.C. government that sees gains for more than 25,000 members who work in direct government service province-wide.

"We knew this round of bargaining would be tough and it was," said BCGEU president Darryl Walker. "Our members gave us a mandate and we fought hard during nine months to achieve this deal.  We struck four times and implemented an overtime ban to back our proposals. We're pleased we've been able to work productively with the government in recent days to reach this tentative agreement."

The BCGEU bargaining committee is recommending members accept the agreement.

As part of the agreement, the sale of Liquor Distribution Branch warehouses and the NRFP for privatization were cancelled. Both sides agree the move was needed to get the deal done.

"Credit for this agreement also goes to our members who backed the bargaining committee with a strike vote and strike action. We could not have achieved this collective agreement without them," said Walker.

Details of the tentative agreement will be posted on the BCGEU website as soon as possible.

Stewards will conduct voting at the worksite. Members are encouraged to keep watching the BCGEU website for more information about ratification.

PLEASE NOTE
As a result of this deal, the overtime ban implemented on Monday, September 17, 2012 is cancelled effective immediately.

SOURCE: B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union

Karen Tankard, BCGEU Communications [phone].