Bargaining

Community Social Services members represented by CUPE are continuing to participate across the province at multi-union information and strike vote meetings. A complete list of strike vote meetings this week is attached. 

BURNABY—Progress has been frustratingly slow during the second round of contract talks this week between the multi-union bargaining committee, the Community Social Services Bargaining Association (CSSBA), and the employer group, the Community Social Services Employers Association (CSSEA).

BURNABY—The Community Social Services Bargaining Association (CSSBA) and the Community Social Services Employers Association (CSSEA) exchanged their opening proposals during the first round of contract talks, which began February 27.

BURNABY—Community Social Services workers deserve a fair wage increase that addresses the gap making us the lowest paid unionized public service workers in British Columbia. 

And that’s exactly what CUPE and other unions representing CSS workers will be seeking in the next round of bargaining.

Wage freezes have got to stop. CSS workers are falling further and further behind, and are now worse off financially than several years ago.

BURNABY—In preparation for the next round of bargaining, CUPE has launched a short survey asking members who work in community social services in B.C. about bargaining issues.

The survey, which has been developed through CUPE’s CSS presidents, is based on a similar survey conducted in August 2009 in preparation for 2010 bargaining. CUPE is encouraging members to complete the survey.

“Our Collective Agreement expires on March 31, 2012 and CUPE is seeking a freely negotiated settlement that addresses the priorities of our members.

New contract improves job security and fair work practices

BURNABY—Community-based social service workers from the nine unions in the sector have approved their new collective agreements. The vote was 88 per cent in favour for General Services and 79 per cent in favour for Community Living Services.

The agreement improves job security and fair work practices for workers, such as bumping, job selection language and bullying.

New agreement improves job security, work practices in community-based social services sector

BURNABY—British Columbia’s frontline community-based social service workers have approved their new collective agreements.

BURNABY—The Community Social Services Bargaining Association (CSSBA) today released the Comprehensive Report and the detailed language changes in the tentative settlement.

Strike averted as deal improves job security and fair work practices

VANCOUVER—A tentative agreement has been reached for British Columbia’s 15,000 community-based social service workers, thereby averting a strike. Talks went into the weekend to avert looming job action. 

Key bargaining demands were met, as the tentative agreement improves job security and fair work practices for workers, such as bumping, job selection language and bullying.

VANCOUVER—Last ditch community social services bargaining talks resumed August 9, and lasted through the week. Talks are set to continue on Monday.

Your bargaining committee has been clear that any agreement must focus on your
key demands – namely job security, fair work practices, and dealing with the
continuing bleeding of jobs and decimation of services in the sector.

On May 30, you gave your bargaining committee an 82-per-cent strike mandate,
which expires on August 30. Any agreement must be reached before that date.