BC Community Services Sector Workers Ratify New Agreement

DATE: October 27, 2011

Langley, BC—Hundreds of Service, Health, and Allied Workers’ Union, Local 501, members working in the community services sector (CSS) across the province voted in favour of ratifying a new collective agreement.

These CLAC members work with some of the most vulnerable members of society in group homes, shelters, and clinics. They are part of a bargaining association that includes nine unions and 15,000 workers in 220 agencies who began the long, difficult process of negotiations after their contract expired in 2010.

Negotiations were arduous as the BC government, saddled with a difficult financial situation due to the economy, held to a “net zero” mandate. With the government reluctant to budge on key issues such as wages or job security, eighty-two percent of CSS workers voted in favour of a strike mandate in May 2011.

In the end a strike was avoided and the parties agreed to stronger language for job security and fair work practices such as bumping, job selection, and anti-bullying measures. Additionally, the government approved a $600,000 retraining grant for workers in the sector affected by cutbacks or reorganization.